Varokaa! Hengenvaara

Suistamon Sähkö exist in their own colourful world and, every so often, I’m glad to say, they let us in. They describe their sound as ‘high energy dancey Arctic etnotekno,’ which is a good description but, for those of us with our feet still on the ground in this Finnish party tent, it’s worth saying that this is achieved through the brilliance of four voices rapping in the purring rhythms of the Finnish language, and sparring with finely crafted layers of synths and electronics. And then there are the accordions (including a tiny Soviet Notka button instrument), earthy, folky, gorgeously lyrical, reminding the music of its traditional roots.

The title, which means ‘Beware! Danger’, emerges from the album’s themes, which confront the personal to the global, from the perils of love to the climate crisis, with danger ever present in the constantly changing music. The band’s live performances are wildly theatrical, costumes are loud and sparkly; they are visually spectacular and, like their music, multi-layered. It’s a welcome third album from these brilliantly inventive musicians. Varokaa! Hengenvaara is a ticket to the wildest party in town. As the final song says, ‘singing and dancing together are the best pastimes.’