Sála (2LP Vinyl)

Epic dark Nordic neofolk from Dutch artist Kati Rán. Recorded in a barn in Iceland with a host of guests from various bands in the scene. Larger than life sound. Very ethereal and haunting. Definitely listen with the lights out music. A double album to get lost in. One of the nicest packages I've seen in years. The accompanying booklet completes it. Wow Wow Wow!!

"Neofolk is a special style of art. It encompasses the achingly simple to portray stunning complexity. Everything is done with earnest emotion, and often the onus is on the artist not to simply entertain, but to transport the listener, through time, through places, and through very states of being. When I first learned of Kati Rán and her debut full-length release Sála, I was heartened by a single line in its promo copy: “Recorded in a barn in Húsafell, Iceland”—and I didn’t read further. Authenticity is at the heart of every excellent neofolk album, and “recorded in a barn in Iceland” is arguably as authentic as it gets. How does Sáladeliver on this promising foundation?

Sála is an expansive album, both in size and scope, which allows Kati Rán plenty of opportunity to showcase her exceptional abilities as a musician and songwriter. Dense layers of traditional instrumentation (I’m aware of a cello, nyckelharpa, and kravik lyre, but there is surely more than that) make way for soaring vocals and choruses, while rhythmic percussion propels the listener forward into its oceanic tales based in Norse mythology. Certainly, this is the case for the album opener and title track, a seven-minute foray that’s almost cinematic in its vision, thanks in no small part to exceptional choral singing, a feature that will be a recurring theme throughout the album. Sála also sees several guest appearances, including members from Gaahls Wyrd, Heilung, Gealdýr, and Völuspá. The result is an album that is incredibly ambitious, but again, with a very promising foundation.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the best moments of Sála are the most emotional ones, and it’s here that Kati Rán’s vocal performance shines. In particular, “Himinglæva” is a stunningly beautiful showcase of her talent, both when singing in English and Icelandic. It treads the fine line between “too slow” and “too emotional” expertly, and acts as an album highlight. On the slightly speedier side of things, “Kólga | 16” uses phenomenal acoustic touches to augment another cinematic performance that takes the listener straight into the stories that inspired it. At its fastest pace, “Segið Mér” chants, pounds, and orchestrates its way into some of the most memorable moments of Sála, at times reminding of Eluveitie’s Evocation albums. Across the album, Kati Rán demonstrates more and more sides to her sound, keeping the listener guessing and alert right through to the last song.

I’ve talked a lot about how Sála is brilliant and expansive in its scope, but its size is another story. With thirteen tracks, there is already a lot to digest here, but the fact that the album clocks in at eighty minutes makes it a lot to take in, and unfortunately prone to wandering. In particular, “Blodbylgje” slams the brakes on Sála’s exceptional start—sixteen minutes long and slow, the song itself is lovely, but awkwardly placed in terms of the album’s flow. The ten-minute-long “Unnr | Mindbeach” is less of a culprit, but does have some meandering moments as a result of its similarly comparatively slow pace. There is a truly exceptional album inside Sála, but as it is presented, it’s hard not to think that there was an opportunity for a leaner, more focused journey here.

I cannot stress enough, however, that there are no bad songs or moments on Sála—or, indeed, that this is one of the strongest debuts I can remember hearing in a while. Kati Rán absolutely delivers in creating a moving, powerful, and memorable album that stands among those of her most talented contemporaries. It is clear that this is the result of a long effort of care and devotion, and I can only hope that the journey does not end here. I need more of this music in my life." - Angry Metal Guy