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Review: Jack Foley
MARKO Nyberg, founder of Husky Rescue, describes his music as
being 'like spring's sunbeam after the long dark sunless winter
time'.
He adds: "Every track [on debut album, Country Falls]
is designed to be a warm breeze to counter the chill of daily
life, whether you live in cold climes or not."
With this in mind, it is refreshing to report that Country
Falls achieves exactly what its creator had hoped it would.
Rather like that first ray of warm sunshine on a spring day,
it has the effect of calming the listener and soothing them away
from any troubles.
Nyberg admits to being strongly influenced by the power of films
and the hypnotic quality of photography and paintings and has
therefore set out to make an accompanying soundtrack.
And from the gentle opening strains of Sweet Little Kitchen,
through to the upbeat funk of Summertime Cowboy, and
blissful new single, New Light of Tomorrow (which has
been remixed by the likes of Bonobo), Nyberg has succeeded in
creating a sublime soundtrack for the mind.
Occasionally melancholy, but more often than not bittersweet,
Country Falls is one of the most chilled out albums of
the moment, featuring plenty of dreamy vocals set against lush
beats and warm melodies.
Take Sunset Drive, for instance, which builds slowly
towards its rousing conclusion, or the delicate opening moments
of My World, which tip-toe into your sub-conscious - all possess
a very relaxed, yet confident, quality.
Husky Rescue have been favourably described as Finland's answer
to Air and the comparison is not misplaced, as several moments
on Country Falls evoke memories of Moon Safari.
Yet there is something even more surreal about Husky Rescue's
work that shouldn't be ignored and which is damn-near impossible
not to like.
Much of this is probably due to the fact that the album was created
with the help of many of Nyberg's friends in Helsinki, which the
artist credits with assisting the creative process.
The good time enjoyed by all translates well to the listener,
whether through Reeta-Leena Korhola's blissfully dreamy vocals,
or Miika Colliander's country and folk-tinged guitars, or Ville
Riippa's excellent keyboards.
It's a quietly mesmerising listen and one that shouldn't be overlooked.
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