Review | Songlines

SOLÓWA

Rating: ★★★★

View album and artist details

Album and Artist Details

Artist/band:

Jolanta Kossakowska

Label:

CM Records

October/2024

The title translates as ‘solo’, as well as being a word describing children squabbling after school, while the cover shows Kossakowska wearing red boxing gloves, an image which hints at determination and strength, facing up to life’s challenges. Across 11 songs Kossakowska charts a compelling, personal journey through dark valleys, rocky roads, deep fjords and high mountains with the powerful beauty of her voice alongside medieval fiddle, and a band which contributes exquisite textures on cello, santur, harmonium, prepared piano and percussion. ‘Czy to Już’ (Is That All?) is typical of the seductive rhythms of the plucked strings, with the plaintive harmonium in haunting duet with the pleading text. The santur shines (“like scattered pearls,” says Kossakowska) in ‘Żałoba’ (Mourning), her voice searching and poignant. Kossakowska’s voice is agile, pure and warm in ‘Spalona Ziemia’ (Burned Land), engaging as ever across an album of yearning and delight.

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