Rujo

I first heard Antti Paalanen when he released Breathbox (2010). In the audience was Kimmo Pohjonen who'd had such strong belief in Paalanen that he'd agreed to produce the album. We listened to brilliant playing, lyrical, thoughtful, and spiced with more than a hint of the wild-child Finnish accordion style that Pohjonen himself had captivated the world with some years earlier.

Ten years on and Paalanen has achieved his vision of giving the accordion a place in a much wider musical world than might be expected from its heritage as a traditional dance instrument. Rujo means ‘Barbarous’ or ‘Coarse’ – “unrefined,” he says — yet, here, Paalanen's lyricism and beauty are still very much with us: ‘Taivas on Sininen ja Valkoinen (The Sky is Blue and White)’ is exquisite. What is supremely attractive is the earthiness, the urgency, and the conviction of voice meeting accordion in a compulsive, anthemic production partnership with Samuli Volanto, Lauri Halavaara and Jonas Olsson, and drummer Teemu Vuorela and Piia Kleemola on kantele. ‘Hede & Emi (Pollination)’ is a pop-emblazoned song about climate change, the fiery growls of Paalanen and his accordion are thrilling and empowering in ‘Elä' and on the opening track he beckons ‘come on, dance for me, baby.’ Who can resist?