Kati Rán's long-anticipated solo album emerges as a vast musical odyssey that weaves a bewitching array of musical styles into a backdrop for exploring the feminine themes within Norse mythology. Building on the epic, oceanic prelude of its 15-minute single, , ’s 13 immersive tracks are underpinned by traditional folk instrumentation, lush choral harmonies and even a rare lava stone marimba, heard on – a haunting elegy that features vocals from extreme metal icon Gaahl and ’s Mitch Harris. Kati weaves narratives from threads of ancient lore and raw, personal revelation, heard in the title track and , a spectral hymn confronting female persecution through the ages.
While and are atmospheric interludes between shifting states of consciousness, and deliver primal jolts with shouted vocals and steady, thudding cadences. However, ’s most striking moments emerge in its subtle introspection – in the hushed intimacy of ’s vocal harmonies, or in ’s mournful drone. Kati’s vocal delivery is a kaleidoscope of emotive forces, shifting from hauntingly ethereal whispers to chants, each modality infusing the album with a vast depth of feeling.
Despite this variety, there’s a resonant clarity that binds her performances, guiding listeners through its mystical realms. The journey concludes with , a serene culmination of peace and reconciliation that epitomises ’s fragile beauty. Recorded in Iceland, Norway and the Netherlands, features contributions from members of variou.
