One has the suspicion upon listening to this new album “Snow On Moss On Stone” by Finnish artist Drowsy (Mauri Heikkinen), that he inhabits a private world of his own. Much like fellow Fatcat labelmates, Animal Collective, Drowsy exists in a different place to most of us, a place where straw is spun into gold and magic potions are imbibed to create a magical forest of sound. If that sounds a tad flowery and whimsical, it’s only because I’ve got him singing into my ear as I type this review. It’s cold and dark today, but not where Drowsy exists. Slightly unhinged (think AC, Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci and bonzo British folk such as the Incredible String Band) melodic sounds, all acoustic and rusty, with a gentleness underpinned by a psychedelic edge. Drowsy is an apt name.
The album’s opener “Bakery” grabs your attention with it’s jaunty airs and singalong chorus. By the time we hit the forth tune, “Go Well”, with it’s xylophones, acoustic plucking and Nick Drake styled vocal, we have moved to another place altogether. That’s what I like about this album, it’s not anything obvious. I always search for this sound structure on a cd, as it seems to be one which allows the listener the pleasure of picking out the element he/she is in the mood for at that certain time. Shifting it’s moods from happy, melancholic, moody to ethereal and more, “Snow On Moss On Stone” is a rewarding album that keeps you coming back for more. A folk album proper, it is a mature sophomore effort from this Nordic singer songwriter. Recommended.
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