Osty

The female trio Sutari have a unique sound world on the Polish music scene. The lyrics and music are largely traditional, but Basia Songin, Kasia Kapela and Zosia Zembrzuska transform them into three-part polyphonies, softly sung – almost whispered – inspired by the Lithuanian sutartines from which they take their name. They accompany themselves on violin, bass and percussion. It's nothing like the punchy, powerful vocals of Warsaw Village Band or Värttinä, but something quieter and more elusive.
Sutari come across as free spirits of nature – haunting, mischievous and hard to pin down. Their first album, 2014's Wiano, featured sounds from the natural environment: forests, lakes and dripping water. On this one, Osty (which translates as Thistles), their songs are from a woman's perspective but often hard to interpret – although there are helpful English translations in the booklet. Thistles are prickly weeds, but also beautiful practical herbs with healing qualities. Their songs often melt into mischievous laughter: ‘Oh people say love is not good for you/No one died of love, and many were born!’