Den Lyse Dag

Far from being a difficult second album, Plassen’s latest release reveals how much her voice and her approach to the traditions of her home region of Østerdal have blossomed even since her excellent 2021 debut Hjemve.

Norwegian music traditions are often rooted in the history and everyday life of quite small rural communities. Here Plassen has put together an album which takes us through a day in the lives of women working on farms, from early morning milking to calling the cattle home, followed by a much needed glass of something and a psalm to end the day. (If you don’t speak Norwegian then the word ku – cow – will get you quite a long way!)

Across 22 short tracks Plassen’s voice is versatile, agile and engaging, welcoming and warm. Calling the cattle by their names is remarkably beautiful (‘Såmmårlauv og Sale’) and there’s a playful edge in ‘Mari Munkedeje’, admonishing a woman who has overslept and missed milking. There are outstanding examples of the traditional lokk (calling the animals) with breathtaking vocal acrobatics, and some compelling tralling (diddling) based on children’s wordless nonsense syllables.

A true showcase of the wonders and depths of Norwegian traditions.