JORDSJØ – Salighet

Adorned by wonderfully evocative artwork and sporting a most intriguing title, the uniquely skilled Norwegian prog rockers known as Jordsjø are back with a new masterpiece. Just when I thought that it would be impossible for them to top the outstanding and flawless Pastoralia LP (2021), they have in fact managed to create something that is as rewarding and accomplished as that one, which is saying something.

Salighet possesses that same earthy, pastoral, rustic, and almost rural-esque aura as its predecessor, which captivates the mind and stimulates the senses, and its seven compositions are akin to small odysseys and travels to distant and delightfully surreal lands that exist beyond the confines of the known world. Merging folk with prog rock and adding a bit of jazz rock for good measure works like a charm throughout, and the way that these gentlemen go about things has resulted in a stunning piece of work that is rich in atmosphere, superbly written, and perfectly executed from top to bottom. Its overall warmth and organic vibe add a lively aspect to the material that is consistently prominent throughout, and it truly feels as if Jordsjø have spawned something that resembles a strangely arcane ritual and a mythology and folklore of their own by means of the ideas that constitute Salighet. Does that even make sense? The only thing that we need to concern ourselves with is that this record is as potent and cleverly arranged as they come and that nothing else out there sounds quite like it. There is unfathomable beauty to parts of the disc, yet some tracks also possess an almost eerie, hymnal quality. Original, spirited, and enticing stuff that comes highly recommended.