Review Summary: A worthy successor to Forlatt, and a continuation of Vali's musical genius.
It's been nine years since
Forlatt first appeared, floating up as if from a dream. And in that time, Vali has earned a spot in the highest echelons of modern neofolk, standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Ulver, Empyrium, and October Falls.
Forlatt is rightly regarded as a masterpiece, an album that perfectly weaves the subtle majesty of nature with the breadth of human emotion. I've listened to
Forlatt endlessly since I discovered it, and as the years passed and the silence continued, I feared we'd never hear from Vali again. Imagine my joy when
Skogslandskap was announced and finally released. But as excited as I was, there was a fear that
Forlatt would be an impossible standard to reach again, let alone overcome.
But as soon the first notes of
Nordavindens Klagesang rang out from my speakers, I knew my fear was unfounded. Vali's complex fingerpicking sparkles like sunlight through a forest canopy, while the supporting string and wind instruments caress the ear like an autumn breeze. Where
Forlatt sounded dark and murky, the production on
Skogslandskap is pristine and vibrant. Every instrument resonates clearly and in synergy with the others, painting vivid landscapes in the mind's eye. If you have the equipment, I wholeheartedly recommend listening to the vinyl version, which brings Vali's music to life to the fullest extent.
The progression of Vali's song-writing talent is also immediately apparent. The guitar work on
Forlatt was notable for its combination of atmosphere and technicality, but Vali has matured since then, playing some truly impressive fingerstyle arpeggios (see
Sevjedraaper and
Skyggespill) and bringing a fresh classical influence that lends the album an aura of grandeur (see
Mellom Grantraer and
Dystre Naturbilder). And while the album primarily consists of much shorter songs compared to
Forlatt, they still manage to cover vast musical terrain thanks to intricate songwriting and emotional resonance:
Himmelens Groenne Arr is masterful in its subtlety, using short piano, flute and guitar melodies until they cascade in unison with such beauty that it brought tears to my eyes.
Stein Og Bark is another highlight of the album, with its enchanting atmosphere and stirring melodic chorus.
Nine years separates
Forlatt and
Skogslandskap, and while this is undeniably Vali, it's a fundamentally different experience. Rather than retrace his footsteps and create
Forlatt II, Vali has branched out into a deeper, more sophisticated aesthetic. From the jubilant yearning of
Langt I Det Fjerne to the churning gloom of
Lokkende Lyder, the 15 tracks unfold with exacting pace, creating a deeply satisfying experience: by the time the final uplifting notes of
Morgengry disappear, you'll be eager to venture back into
Skogslandskap's world once again.
If Vali continues crafting such awe-inspiring music, I won't mind waiting 9 more years for his third effort. Time has done nothing to erode his mastery of music, and the creativity flowing throughout
Skogslandskap solidifies his place as one of the most talented neofolk musicans active today.
