FÄLAREN – Ljora

RELEASE YEAR: 2026
BAND URL: https://falaren.bandcamp.com/album/ljora

What a delightful surprise this was! Not being familiar with this intriguing and explorative outfit beforehand, I had no idea what to expect but suffice to say that I was blown away by the gripping soundscapes that constitute Ljora. Fälaren inhabit a space located somewhere between jazz rock, folk music, psychedelic rock, and shoegaze – a space where genuine warmth, heartfelt vocals, evocative melodies, reflective words, and effective improvisation converge in a most splendid manner.

In many ways, the record feels like a travelogue or a diary chronicling a journey filled with contrasts and peaks and valleys. It goes beyond mere dynamics, so to speak. Think more along the lines of calm seas interrupted by tempests, of light that turns dark, of a long day that merges and moves into night. And vice versa, of course. Dichotomies are in constant play throughout, yet everything is consistently anchored by an elegant melody and a prevalent aura of the type of melancholy that comes from gazing both inwards and outwards. The album’s highlights, namely the occasionally heavy and fuzz-laden “Skækkent” and “Molthra,” are brilliant examples of how to craft mesmerizing pieces that touch, thrill, and surprise the listener in equal measure without ever losing the plot.

This Trondheim-based act has basically conceived a stunning debut offering that is so perfectly layered that one never grows tired of listening to it. Before I forget, the closing track titled “Velora” is a haunting composition, yet it carries a subtly uplifting vibe, which ensures that it all ends on what feels like a positive note. Then again, is it truly a positive note? You need to digest and investigate the LP for yourself in order to find out.