Sofia Talvik - Big Sky Country

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 8 / 6 / 2015

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Review

Swedish singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik isn’t the first Scandinavian who produces music that could broadly fit into the Americana genre, but makes a more convincing take on that sound than those who were born and bred in the States. While it could be argued that Talvik’s music has been influenced by her time spent in America (Talvik even made an album titled ‘Florida’ in 2010, some of which was written, unsurprisingly, during the time she spent living there), what is almost always ignored when Scandinavian artists start to gain attention is that, although now classed as Americana, the sound most people associate with the genre has some of its roots firmly planted in Swedish soil. Take the most obvious example, First Aid Kit. Their sound, while maybe augmented by those the duo are currently working with, was born out of their surroundings. It’s as simple as that. Talvik was born in Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden, so the pastoral sound of ‘Big Sky Country’ isn’t necessarily a reflection of her surroundings when growing up or even while recording this album (the self-produced album was recorded in Berlin and Stockholm), but is further confirmation that even when at its most poppy the music emanating from Sweden has much deeper, stronger and darker roots than its bright, popular image would suggest. Apart from a handful of EPs, Talvik has already released five full-length albums prior to ‘Big Sky Country’, which will prove to be her breakthrough album. Talvik’s 2007 album ‘Street of Dreams’ featured a duet with Suede’s Bernard Butler. The title of her 2012 release ‘The Owls are Not What They Seem’ lends a knowing nod to ‘Twin Peaks’; it’s these small twists that have set Talvik apart from the rest in the past and indicated that here was an artist who had more to offer, ‘Big Sky Country’ feels though that, in many ways, Talvik has finally made the album that has been simmering inside her for some time. The wide-open space images on the sleeve of the album give some indication of the music within. The haunting ‘Aha-Aha’ opens the album, and the song immediately gives notice that, while Talvik is proudly wearing her country/folk influences, there’s more on offer here. It’s a smouldering, atmospheric piece that evokes long, dusty roads leading nowhere and the blistering heat. Talvik’s vocals sound less fragile than they have on some of her previous recordings, while her time on the road has not diminished any of the smoothness in her voice, and the warmth displayed is still irresistible, There is more of a determined edge to her vocals here. At times, on this opening track, those vocals are almost sultry. The title song follows, and it’s the one currently receiving all the attention. This banjo-led folky tale highlights everything that places Talvik just outside the usual Americana crowd. Melodically rich, the rousing final, repetitive call of “I’m going home” will strike a chord with those making, or dreaming of, such a journey and have you singing along with happy but yearning tears welling up. The song also enhances what we already felt; that Talvik is a storyteller of some worth. It’s a perfectly produced and performed slice of Americana, and doesn’t get much more authentic-sounding than this. Talvik’s crystal-clear vocals also shine particularly brightly here. Americana song of the year so far? ‘Dusty Heart, Empty Hand’ displays Talvik’s country leanings even more, but once again it’s Talvik’s talent at storytelling and those inviting, warm vocals that make the song compelling listening. ‘Lullaby’ is where Talvik really surprises; a piano-led song where the lyrics are at odds with the gentle sway of the pretty melody. “It is summer and everything’s beautiful/ Still you wish you were dead,” sings Talvik after brilliantly describing waking up on a warm, sunny morning. The way Talvik captures moments like these is remarkable. “You’re thinking of giving your mum a call/Then you remember she’s gone” - Why does a line like that make the listener happy/sad instead of crying into your beer? Because, much like Michelle Lewis, Talvik captures feelings we will all experience and articulates that loss and longing in such a simple yet powerful way it’s impossible not to be affected by their words. Wrapping such sensitive lyrics in melodies that only add to their effectiveness is another talent both singer-songwriters share. If there’s one song that doesn’t work quite as well as the ten songs it’s sharing company with on ‘Big Sky Country’, then it’s also telling that it’s the only non-original featured on the album. While Talvik’s take on Buffy Sainte-Marie’s ‘Starwalker’ is both an inspired reading and actually isn’t out of place on the album, if one song had to be left off the final track listing them it would have had to be this one. Talvik’s originals like ‘Bonfire’ are so strong, and they conjure up many different emotions. Her storytelling is fascinating and not only the melodies but the atmosphere that Talvik and her fellow musicians create on her songs is simply stunning, and there’s little need for Talvik to include her interpretations of other artists songs, no matter if they do seem tailor-made for inclusion. While I’d point any potential listeners to the title track for a taster of just how good Talvik is, in reality every original song on ‘Big Sky Country’ is special. ‘Fairground’, tucked away near the end of the album, is typical Talvik, heavenly harmonies, a beautiful acoustic-picked melody, pure vocals and those lyrics, “falling down the same holes again that I thought I’d covered up last night”… “ and someone said that the cracks in you are there to let the light shine in”, prove Talvik is certainly a first-class lyricist. ‘Big Sky Country’ is, on initial plays, an above average take on the Americana in which female Swedish singer-songwriters have taken a strong hold, but a few listens in and that view changes, ‘Big Sky Country’ is, without a doubt, one of the strongest releases of 2015 so far, in any genre.

Track Listing:-

1 Aha-Aha
2 Big Sky Country
3 Dusty Heart, Empty Hand
4 Lullaby
5 A Matter Of The Hearts
6 Starwalker
7 Bonfire
8 Jasmine, Rose & Sage
9 Give Me A Home
10 Fairground
11 So

Band Links:-

http://sofiatalvik.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sofiatalvikmu
https://twitter.com/sofiatalvik
https://www.youtube.com/user/makakimus
http://music.sofiatalvik.com/
https://plus.google.com/+SofiaTalvikMu