On 23 July, Alasdair Roberts and the Norwegian group Völvur, release The Old Fabled River via Drag City, an album that melds Celtic and Scandinavian intuitions of culture and music. The latest album single is Nu solen går ned, a Norwegian spiritual and an ancient traditional melody. As Drag City point out, the band’s capacious sense of sound breaths fresh air through the centuries-old song. They also add:
“Live on tape from their Norwegian homeland, Völvur’s solo rendition of their arrangement of “Nu solen går ned” demonstrates their sympathy for the syncretic visions of Alasdair Roberts. It should be noted that Völvur also make music as the Marthe Lea Band – their astonishing new album, Asura, is out now – and the deeply integrated telepathy they possess informs everything they play, from folk tunes to modern composition to this remarkable group performance. With improvisation-derived faith in the moment, they essay the traditional as a pure 2021 hymnal; austere, intense, exploratory, perseverant.”
Watch the accompanying live video featuring members of Völvur. Nu solen går ned is also our Song of the Day.
Pre-Order The Old Fabled River – https://www.dragcity.com/products/the-old-fabled-river
Photo Credit: Audrey Bizouerne