Julia Andersson – ‘Forever the Forest Sings’ Review

What does Julia Andersson sound like?

Restrained, nimble, and intricate piano music inspired by nature.

The review of ‘Forever the Forest Sings’ by Julia Andersson

Inspired by the Finnish forests around her, pianist and composer Julia Andersson returns with her new album ‘Forever the Forest Sings’, which I feel is an ode to resilience. Julia recorded the album over the course of a year, amid big personal changes, as well as global ones. Whilst her life transformed, the forest stayed ever-present. When she wanted some solace, Julia would wander into the forests to explore a new trail. The forest was there for her in times of need, and stood ever-present beside her as the world changed.

The eleven tracks on the album have a freshness to them, no matter if they are buoyant or reflective. Part of this comes from Julia’s piano and its recording process. Another part of it comes from the compositions themselves. They feel like they’re yearning for life and a big blue sky. ‘Wildflowers’ opens with a spring in its step, gently skipping countermelodies and a sense of budding excitement about it. The melodies are strong, and whilst Julia Andersson plays quite softly, the melody doesn’t fade away because of the softer performance. That softer playing comes in clutch for the intricate embellishments of ‘Shadow Waltz’. Julia keeps tempo with a freeing left hand whilst her fingers effortlessly glide up and down the keys for a delicate and dense higher melody.

‘Still Reaching’ takes a very different approach. Here, Julia’s piano has some keys out of tune, and the melody purposefully latches onto them. At first, I wasn’t sure if Julia had left some missteps in, but as the track continues, the detuned notes often signal the idea of an outstretched hand or idea, just missing its intended destination. It’s clever and interesting sonic design, but it’ll take two listens to appreciate what is going on if you aren’t a fan of dissonance. The title track is a quietly confident and rousing piece that I could vocal melodies being easily laid on top of for a singer-songwriter cover. The downward triad that sparks the recurring melody is a sumptuous cascade of piano that I could listen to on repeat for hours.

‘Fleeting’ has Julia Andersson turn towards piano sound design with a fantastic track. The track itself is a quiet rumbling gallop of piano, but it sounds like Julia has four hands as different melodies wash into each other. Just as the layers build up, Julia flips to a muted, prepared setup, turning each note into a pizzicato plonk. Throughout the album, the piano hammers, guts, and felt are characters in the sound, but here you can also hear metallic, almost glassy tinkles. Each time I listen, I hear something different, and the melody is great, too. It’s a personal highlight.

Andersson has a knack for creating reflective melodies that are quietly uplifting and comforting. ‘Embraced’ is a track that showcases this talent perfectly. In other composers’ and performers’ hands, the slightly sombre melody could be a drudge to play. Julia lets the rhythm and pace give things an emotional boost and upswing in a subtle way that makes sad, cosy. ‘Sankalpa’ is a spacious, blues-infused piece. It’s the quiet Finnish exhale and shoulder-drop relaxation point of the album. If ‘Sankalpa’ was snuggling into bed, then ‘Morning Haze’ is the joy of seeing the dawn rise. This piece is another showcase of clever melodic design wrapped in an unfussy Finnish mentality. Julia’s quietness brings the first light of hope in each bar of music.

‘Hideaway’ could be an RPG town song. It has a triumphant underbelly to it, as if we’ve found an oasis that’s all ours and we built our tiny empire in private. Again, the quieter performance signals that it’s an internal hideaway as much as one found in a Finnish forest, but it could fit on a Final Fantasy XI soundtrack tomorrow. More melancholic and quietly hopeful is ‘Blank Slate’. I adore how the two melodies move away from each other into uncertainty. These two tracks back-to-back feel like deciding on a big life change or direction and then wondering immediately after if it was the right thing to do. They work so well together. That leaves the quiet, meditative ‘Lullaby for My Heart’ as a slow, bluesy closer, with some subtle ambient effects woven in.

‘Forever the Forest Sings’ is a superb follow-up to Julia Andersson’s debut ‘Dröm‘. Julia keeps her restrained and intricate approach to composing and performing, and that laser focus creates an album that nails a very specific feeling. If you need music to comfort you with your worries and give you quiet confidence, assurance, and strength to take on the day, this album is for you. Julia Andersson brings you quiet compositions with loud emotional intentions hidden under the surface. Excellent.

Recommended track: Fleeting

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