There is a lighter side to goth, that focuses on the more ethereal side of the sonic spectrum. Artists like the Cocteau Twins hover here. This Swedish pop singer occupies a similar place. There is an organic quality that keeps this from being future pop though it shares common themes with it sonically. I can also hear some Kate Bush influence in how she uses her voice like an instrument. There is more of a pop feel to the second song, though it's really well done and lacks any trace of the more bubble-gum American counterparts. Though she has a more angelic voice than Zola Jesus , she is in a similar zipcode genre-wise. Her voice is strong enough to carry a more minimalist song like "ett minne".
An interesting thing here is Northern European pop is devoid of having to have hip-hop tendencies and finds room for things like guitar in a meaningful way. Sometimes the experimental nature leans into the ambiance in a way that does give the song the kind of grooving backbone one listens for in these things. But this is also what further separates it from pop and leans in more in a Bjork direction. While her voice sounds great the song itself drones on a bit. At times this album can float into the background as the atmosphere gets laid on thicker without the vocal hooks to anchor it as empty ear candy, but there is deeper pondering going on here.
Some of the song titles I am just going to go ahead and translate as I go to make this review more Western friendly, to appease the algorithm gods. The song which translates to "Say it with Feeling' has a more hook and groove to it, though takes it away from the more introspective melancholy. 'In Turn Rain" also works off a beat that feels more mid-2000s. She does not dance her way into being close to Kylie Minogue. I would say it's not dark enough of a song to weave into a 'goth nite' set that is not heavy on future pop already. "The Ashes and the Fire" glides back into her more introspective side. Though it's once again of being the case where the song floats with no backbone, giving it less strength to hook you in though you can appreciate it for what it is. I guess if Taylor Swift was Swedish she might sound more like this one.
"You Hold Me Like Water'" has a sexier groove to it, though she takes things in a more ambient direction than an American pop song would. 'hon" is another song that leans heavily into the ether. A synth pulse does come to catch her. 'Summer is Mine and I'll Be Back Closes" the album. If Fever Ray wanted to move in a more radio-friendly 80s direction it might sound like this.he beat it builds into is pretty strong. I'll give this one a 9.5 and see how it grows on me.
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