Sturle Dagsland (studio album) by Sturle Dagsland

After the first listen, I was somewhat confused, so I thought let's try again and maybe I'll figure it out. After the second listen, I was a bit more confused than the first, lol. The obvious question to begin with is which genre it is. Well, I guess you could simply call it experimental and no one would complain or object but this doesn't answer the question in a satisfactory manner. The sound is all over the map, so instead it seems better to approach it by considering what it does to the listener. In this regard, this is the stuff of nightmares, as one thing it definitely does with a high degree of success is make you uncomfortable. But it's one of those nightmares that you already suspect are not real as they unfold before your eyes, so the initial terror steps aside and you are willing to explore it, find some pleasure in discomfort. What I'm trying to say is it's more noisy than loud, if that makes any kind of sense whatsoever (maybe during the next listens I will manage to confirm this observation and also find the right words to express it, because the way I put it now is plain nonsense to be honest). Furthermore, it's impressive how the vocals are one of the main points of discussion, even though the lyrics can for all practical purposes be considered as non-existent. Not sure how I'm feeling about the length. It is cleary an album that tires you to the point of exhaustion (by no means do I say this in the sense that it is boring, it's just that there are so many things that are going on and following all the action does take its toll on you), so I wonder if a longer version would highlight this effect even more or if it would act in a detrimental way. Also I like how Dreaming comes while nearing the end of the road, which is almost a folk song by the standards of this album and suddenly it's all well. 2 listens are not enough to even start scratching the surface, so I will try to find some time to dive deeper (and I 'm sure it will be quite a ride).

From Mercury 02/05/2021 19:18

(A strange blend of experimental rock - whatever that means or communicates to you - avant-folk, nordic folk, industrial, art pop and much more that when all added up makes a truly original and beautiful album journey. I really am in awe.)

I don't think I can adequately describe this truly unique album. Genre-wise it is very mixed - very vaguely experimental rock, far-afield art pop, avant-folk, some weird Nordic folk sounds, industrial sounds, glitchy parts, etc - and yet the sum of its parts is a completely otherworldly and distinct album that very well may be a masterpiece.

The vocals are absolutely absurd, both in how all over the place they are and in how expressive and powerful they are. Imagine those weird Michael Jackson sounds mixed with the warbling Bjork sounding vocals mixed with a keening almost uncomfortable croak, and throw in some weird chanting bits, as well as some growled gibberish sounds, and throw that all together and have it be completely unpredictable and that is how I'll explain the mad wizardry of the vocal brilliance on display on this LP.

Musically it is, again, all over the place. There are moments of somber earthy sadness with wailing vocals and pounding tribal drum, moments of brutal industrial blasts, moments of frantic and disturbing insanity and moments of transcendent spirituality. This sounds like some massive concept of nature versus the advancements of science. Some weird Fern Gully vibes on this bad boy.

The album is just 11 tracks, over a 29 minute run time. By the end of it I think you will feel like you've just heard a strange new classic fated to be mostly forgotten or overlooked for a long while before being rediscovered by music enthusiasts for years and decades to come.

Personally, its been a hot minute since I heard an album so singular and experimental while also being so intriguing and inviting. I have listened to this on near-repeat for hours and I just think there is something special here.