Lios

There’s a fair amount of pedigree behind this fascinating release. Hanna Ekström is one of Sweden’s foremost violinists, having previously collaborated with First Aid Kit, Miriam Bryant and Håkan Hellström, among others. Guitarist and songwriter Vera Vinter is well-established as a crafter of polished modern folk with a distinctive sound. Here, the duo sings in the Kalix dialect, a vernacular spoken only by people in the Kalix River Valley area of Norrbotten, mixing field recordings and electronics with acoustic instruments and vocals.

The title-track and album opener perfectly sums up the more than satisfying results. This is beautiful, floating music with oceans of depth. Ekström’s delicate strings and Vinter’s thoughtful guitar blend with deep, echoing production to conjure up a delightful poignancy. ‘Råosblara’ swirls and cascades with understated strength. ‘Öunskningan’ pulses with singular intensity, balancing glittering electronics with more of those gossamer strings. ‘Vågväisa’ is as striking a piece as you could wish to hear, with cavernous choral overlaps and soft, captivating melody. Highly recommended.