Saar

This quartet could be said to be a kind of quintet, their phantom fifth member being the Baltic island of Saaremaa, where Estonians Sänni Noormets and Leana Vapper-Dhoore first formed the group with Belgian brothers Ward and Hartwin Dhoore. The spirit of the island infuses the album with a welcome sense of distance from the mainstream of modern life and music. On the album, stories from Estonian folklore segue into timeless tales of shipwrecked sailors and woodland magic but, crucially, strong hooks and catchy melodies have not been forgotten amid the otherworldiness.
Estbel are a fine example of the folk unit wherein no one instrument or member has priority. Instrumentals such as ‘Notsud’ provide epic swoops and swells without the need for solos, the interplay of Ward Dhoore's muscular guitar work with his brother's warm accordion playing provides sustenance enough. The vocals of Vapper-Dhoore and Noormets are a highlight, however. They pair unusual but arresting harmonies with unexpectedly elongated phrases. One hopes that Estbel's island magic will continue to cast its spell as they venture beyond Saaremaa's shores in the future.