Kontraster (Jordsjø, 2025)

Here you are another Norwegian brilliant band, progging away between pure symphonic rock, folk hints and some experimental, even dissonant moments. Jordsjø released their first album in 2015 and this track comes from a 2025 split record including this Jordsjø's title track on vinyl version side A and another side-long track by Breidablik, an electronic prog project by Morten Birkeland Nielsen on side B. "Kontraster" ("Contrasts", in English) does as its title says and offers an awesome variety of moods, arrangements, instruments and musical ideas. 

This is the second joint venture of Jordsjø and Breidablik.

It is a rather low tempo collection - maybe a suite - of inner reflections and by such a rich palette you could hardly guess that  Jordsjø is formed by just two musicians: multi-instrumentalist Håkon Oftung and percussionist Kristian Frøland. Be as it may, this duo leads the listener through a fantastic and unpredictable trip, flowing very deep inside their souls (our souls, I daresay). It is an enriching and entertaining listening, something you won't easily find nowadays.

Solens Sirkulære Sang (Jordsjø, 2019)

Jordsjø are another fine example of symphonic prog made in Norway and with a folky twist... the way Scadinavians know so well. Håkon Oftung, the mind behind this band, is a skilled multi-instrumentalist and a talented songwriter, the latter being a quality not to be underestimated, if you ask me. This "Solens Sirkulære Sang" (meaning "The Sun's Circular Song"), taken from the band's fifth studio album "Nattfiolen" ("The Night Violin"), fully represents the colourful and varied palette of Jordsjø's musical world. 

This beautiful artwork is by Sindre Foss Skanke.

Tempo changes, loosely folk roots, a pastoral sound provided by Hammond, Mellotron and flute, beautiful guitars and a stunning grand finale too! The perfect blend of soft and dynamic moments in this song shows an accurate search for unexpected solutions and brilliant atmospheres and a special taste for unusual song patterns. The vintage sounds are never artificial, on the contrary they are so fresh and genuine that they add the final flavour to such a tasty delicacy.

Stifinner (Jordsjø, 2019)

Norway is home to a good deal of symphonic rock bands. Jordsjø's core line-up is a duo, namely Håkon Oftung (vocals and keyboard) and Kristian Frøland (drums), backed in their 2019 album titled Nattfiolen (the  lesser butterfly-orchid depicted on the CD the cover art) by five more musicians... including two keyboardists! "Stifinner" (meaning "pathfinder") is a pastoral-oriented song with louder Mellotron riffs and a lot of acoustic passages including beautiful flutes and acoustic guitars.

I also happen to like this beautiful cover art...

 

As usual with Jordsjø, the Seventies smell is strong and enticing, flowing through folk roots and symphonic arrangements. I like the melodies and the mood changes, and the Norwegian lyrics add a Nordic atmosphere to such a beautiful mix. Last but not least, even if there are several quiet and dreamy passages, you'llfind here a dynamic and creative drumming, an uncommon feature in pastoral tracks.