LJUNGBLUT – Sauda

An intimate and introspective little treat by the talented Kim Ljung featuring only acoustic guitar and emotive vocals is what we have here, and this is quite the moving listening experience. Released digitally and on a great-looking tape via Karisma Records, there is a lot to savor about Sauda and its five melancholy compositions.

There is an indefinable quality to this warm and organic release in that the songs move back and forth between something that feels rustic and earthy on the one hand and almost surreal and dreamlike on the other. The sparse instrumentation and minimalist approach are charming and work in favor of the pure and heartfelt essence of the material, and I love the fact that these tracks are tinged with longing and nostalgia. When listening to them one can easily picture Ljung sitting in that small, remote cabin of his in Nordstøldalen in Sauda and working the music, lyrics, and arrangements out in isolation. Atmosphere is the keyword here and it actually sounds like it was captured on tape in some remote location far away from the prying eyes of humanity.