Us and Them - When I Was Walking/Green Couch

by Malcolm Carter

published: 25 / 2 / 2017

Us and Them - When I Was Walking/Green Couch

Label: Mega Dodo
Format: 7"

Swift follow-up single to a covers EP of Sandy Denny songs from Swedish acid-folk duo Us and Them, this time containing two original songs

Review

It happens that you just know what to expect from a band or artist sometimes from the label they have chosen to release their music. Swedish duo Us and Them recently issued an EP on the wonderful Fruits de Mer label made up of Sandy Denny covers. For those yet to experience the beauty of the music that Britt Rönnholm and Anders Håkansson make together the results were just as you’d expect a handful of Sandy Denny songs to sound when given the Fruits de Mer treatment. In other words it is hauntingly beautiful. Hot on the heels of that EP the label that many feel is the rightful home to Us And Them, the equally wonderful Mega Dodo label issue a limited edition green-vinyl 7” which is exclusive to members of the Mega Dodo Singles club. Thankfully for non-members the single is also available as a regular black vinyl edition, although this too is only being issued as a small run. If I had to explain Sweden, the Sweden that I know at least and what I feel is the true picture, I’d advise people that although some of this Scandinavian noir gets close, ‘hygge’ (ok, ok, Danish, but close enough), the other Scandinavian trend that us Brits seem currently obsessed with, and which after twenty years of ties with both countries I’ve yet to experience (but it sells books, so, hey…) I’d point them in the direction of Us and Them. This duo captures the unsettling beauty of their homeland perfectly. No doubt every country has areas you wouldn’t want to venture in to but the woodlands of Sweden are like no other place on earth. Vast woodlands that are so inviting yet have this dark undercurrent lurking around every twist and turn. You feel safe but at the same time feel an element of danger is never more than the sound of a footprint falling on a broken twig away. Us and Them are aware of this sensation. One of their EPs was titled after their cover of Sandy Denny’s ‘By The Time It Gets Dark’; until the duo’s recent above mentioned EP of Denny covers had one of her songs ever sounded so chilling? Another Us and Them EP featured songs from ‘The Wicker Man’. Are the pieces beginning to fall into place? Us and Them draw us in because we’re never sure of what is going to happen. There’s always this element of surprise, this tiny part that longs for the weirdness, but is always safe in the knowledge that the good will always outweigh the bad. Rönnholm and Håkansson are far from the only musicians who trade in this strain of psychedelic folk but they lend it a more honest, a more believable and yet an almost terrifying edge than any of their contemporaries. ‘When I Was Out Walking’ begins with gentle, acoustic guitar, otherworldly yet captivating sounds faintly blowing across the gorgeous melody, then Britt’s bewitching vocals enter to complete the spell. Like most of their music, this track is also one of contradictions. Britt’s vocals are at once both fragile yet tough, the melody and musical backing both comforting and slightly disturbing. The images the music conjures up capture both the melancholy feel of autumn and the promise of summer. The music is superbly performed, it appears to have been made on the most primitive, obscure instruments but is crystal clear and compliments Britt’s vocals perfectly. ‘Green Couch’ is even better. With Britt’s vocals almost reduced to a whisper, or as near to a whisper you can imagine this extraordinary vocalist producing, Anders provides such a rich yet concise musical accompaniment which brings out the best in the fragile beauty of Britt’s vocals. Many moons ago a couple of R’n’B enthusiasts tried to capture the beauty of one of their girlfriends on record and partially succeeded but the songs have begun to sound a little dated now; Us and Them have taken that template and made music that is not only beautiful but added shades of darkness which somehow ensure that this music should never sound dated. For those who always wanted a little more shade and depth in the young Marianne Faithfull’s Decca recordings check out Us and Them. And be smitten.