On Lindy-Fay’s second album, the Dei collective of Roy Ole Førland and Ingolf Hella Torgersen join the line-up. With this the kindred spirits join together to form Lindy-Fay Hella & Dei Farne. Following on from Lindy-Fay’s sophomore album, Seafrarer, the collaborate looks to channel the mutual appreciation of different genres, from dark synth, folk, jazz, noise/experimental, Krautrock, prog rock, and world music.
Rhythmic drums greet the opening and title track “Hildring” along with Lindy-Fay’s layered vocals and a strumming bass line. Reverberating around the ear, the opener sizes up the listener for the mirage of sound that is in store for the next 40 minutes. Fay’s pitched vocals lead on “Los“, waterdrop-like drums float fill the continued rhythmic drums of the opener. The atmosphere is taken up a level with synths and and backing vocals enter the fray. As “Los” progresses the drum work here becomes a standout element, with some excellent fill work between rhythmic grooves.
The aforementioned synths further progress themselves on “Insect“, the harsh synths contrast themselves with Fay’s fragile vocals. Similar to the opener, “Insect“, leans on the atmospheric side with the tempo of each instrument at play giving a grandiose feel. What follows in “The Lake” will feel more familiar to fans of more mainstream Nordic folk sounds such as Aurora. There is a distinctive shift in vocal pitch with lower-chest vocals leading mixed in with the previous pitched vocals. This along with the string work in the background makes for a pleasant listen and before returning to the pacing tempo with “Brising“.
A duel vocal performance between Fay and Dei Farne is the mainstay in the album’s midpoint track. Despite “Brising” slightly overstaying its welcome, the latter half’s vocal shift offers up something fresh to salvage the track from fading out into forgetfulness. The deep vocals of Dei Farne filling the closing of the track in an impressive vocal performance. The interlude-esque style of “The Lake” returns with “Kjetto“, a eclectic soundscape makes for another beautiful listen that soothes the ear. The two moments making for brief high points across Hildring.
“Taag” presents the most catchy rhythm of the album, the drums guiding the track with a smooth and catchy groove. Sticking with its structure throughout the track, “Taag” shakes the album up in an uplifting and enjoyable manner that breaks the confines of previous tracks. “Otherworld” tees up the closer with atmospheric and ambient beats and synths with Fay’s mainstay vocals, the entire tracking luring the listener in before the finale. Dancing synths fill the space on Hildring’s closer, “Glelet“, with Fay’s vocals soaring to give the track a grandiose feel. A unique vocal performance makes for notable listen which hits its limitations as the track reaches it final stages.
What Lindy-Fay Hella & Dei Farne have offered up in Hildring will make for one of the most unique listens this year. It’s commendable to be able to blend and execute varied influences and sounds into a soundscape that sits pleasantly on the ear. Hildring hits its stride when it leans into its traditional influences on tracks such as “The Lake“, which leave the more undeveloped influences feeling slightly lacklustre. Overall there is a joy to be found in spending time with Hildring and exploring its divergent sounds.
Hildring is out on November 26th via By Norse, and can be streamed and pre-ordered here.
7/10