What does Kalandra sound like?

Moody, ethereal Nordic folk.

The review of ‘Mørketid’ by Kalandra

Last year, Kalandra released a track for winter entitled ‘Ghosts’. It sparked something within the band to set out a new tradition to create what they call “wintersongs”. These are not religion-based, but they are written to keep you company and give you strength to make it through another winter.

‘Mørketid’ is a 4-track EP, with two reimagined covers and two original tracks. ‘Mitt Hjerte Alltid Vanker’ kicks off the release in epic style. We move between cinematic guitars, keyboards and thunderous drums, creating a dense and foreboding dark night to survive. Over the top, Katrine’s vocals glide effortlessly before the final two minutes break into a haunting layered vocal arrangement, backed by moody, gothic piano. It is a throwback to the kinds of olde carols you’d expect from more traditional folk artists. Grit and danger are bubbling under the rhythms and tones, and it works fantastically well.

‘Til The End’ switches gears to create a rousing vocal-forward performance. ‘Someone must hear my call’, declares Kalandra over post-rock hue guitars and atmospheric bass. As organs and guitars reverberate around your ears like clanging bells, the track reaches a huge crescendo that pays off all the buildup. ‘Ghosts’ was the track that sparked the EP’s existence, and it’s the most melodic and direct track on the release. The bittersweet ballad oozes reflective melancholy as the strings saw and sweep around the heartfelt vocals, singing of a need to sing for lost relatives. An unexpected key change shifts the track into an uplifting finale despite the subject matter, but it’s a truly beautiful piece to listen to… and quite hypnotic.

With the two Kalandra tracks sandwiched by more traditional covers, we close the EP with ‘Hymna Til Blåfjell’. Sung in Kalandra’s native Norwegian tongue, this traditional hymn is the most Nordic folk-sounding of the collection. Dreamy harp, acoustic percussion, and a swell of drone synth-horns and vocal hums create a dense fog of cold around the song. It is incredibly atmospheric, and from there, the traditional hymn captures the listener’s imagination with every beat in the bar. It’s a mystical and misty way to round off a great release.

Kalandra have been creating stunning Nordic folk for over a decade and yet they still find new ways to enchant me. This EP is on par with their excellent studio releases and shouldn’t be thought of as lesser than because of its winter theme. When Nordic folk bands take on a calendar-themed album, you aren’t getting a knock-off Christmas album. With Kalandra, you’ll get something atmospheric and memorable. Superb.

Recommended track: Ghosts

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