Svaleheim

This debut album by singer Adine Fliid and cellist Adam McKenzie presents a sublime listening experience. Fliid is of Norwegian/Danish ancestry; McKenzie is Australian/Danish. Both are experienced musicians who have performed with or as part of other acts, including roots trio Himla (Fliid) and Danish folk-rock outfit Myrkur (McKenzie). Opener ‘Vandringsmann’ sets a mesmerising tone. Fliid’s voice is exquisite, floating acrobatically over McKenzie’s deeply expressive and rhythmic cello. Propelled by gentle acoustic guitar, ‘Langangen’ is a poetic dream with the innocence and power of a child’s lullaby. ‘Villemann og Magnhild’ struts and sways with a graceful, prowling attitude. The instrumental track, ‘Yr’, flickers softly with pinpricks of candlelight. With inventive, plucked cello, ‘To Hjerteslag’ shows what depths can be achieved with voice and a single instrument alone. Fliid and McKenzie are top-tier artists who infuse every syllable and string with stirring emotion.