Komia

In the old Karelian culture of Finland, illatsus are festive evenings that combine music and dance. The Finnish duo Puhti, which translates as vigour or vitality, take inspiration from this tradition. A collaboration between the musician Anne-Mari Kivimäk and dancer Reetta-Kaisa Iles, Puhti have been performing and experimenting since 2001. Their new album, Komia, combines accordion, vocals, clapping and kumaja (stomp-box), with touches of double bass and harmonium. Rooted in Finland's folk music, the duo also claim that the music is accessible to those ‘allergic to tradition.’

Whether rapping traditional lyrics (on the song ‘Ei Meillä ole Hätää’), performing their own version of ‘God's Gonna Cut You Down’ (a folk tune made famous by Johnny Cash), or engaging in the more timeless art of stomping wildly along to old Finnish melodies, Puhti's latest offering succeeds for the most part in sounding both ancient and modern. It's a stripped-down affair, and even contains one a capella song – the haunting ‘Helevetin Saaria’ (Islands of Hell). Succinct and slightly mad, Komia gets better with every listen.