Lokk

I remember when everyone in the Norwegian folk music world was whispering about a brilliant young Hardanger fiddle player called Erlend Apneseth. Deeply rooted in Norwegian traditions, he was rapidly collecting prizes even as he was emerging on to the scene. Apneseth began to reveal himself as a musical explorer with a thirst for collaboration and adventure. In the last few years his trio, with guitarist Stephan Meidell and drummer Ǿyvind Hegg-Lunde, has produced outstanding music, nurtured by the groundbreaking Hubro label.

There's physicality to this trio that resonates across art forms and revels in different styles. In Lokk they beckon the listener into uncharted territories, in music that is mesmerising and compelling, and which began through a partnership with the brilliant FRIKAR Dance Company. The result is breathtaking; lokk means covering, it's an invitation to explore the body, its own coverings and sense of movement across cultures. There are recognisable Asian grooves, the athleticism of Norway's own dances, and something that urges us to explore our own space and instincts. The palette of acoustic instruments and electronics is stunning, ethereal beauty meets forbidden temptations while nature is all around from archive herding calls to birdsong in living, vibrant poetry.