Adjagas - Lihkolas (Ever)
3/5
By: Chris O'Toole
The Sami people are the indigenous inhabitants of Sápmi, Lapland to Western Europeans, a geographical area spanning Norway, Sweden and Finland in the Northern most reaches of the European continent. Numbering circa 85,000 the people of Sami carve a traditional living from their environment, be it through reindeer herding, fishing, hunting for fur, or as psychedelic folk musicians.
Marielle Gaup and Lawra Somby fall into the final category, and as musicians they record under the banner of Adjagas. The duo filter the traditional techniques and melodies of the Sami people through a modern prism to create a form of atmospheric folk music, noticeable as much for its chanted vocals as for the natural, organic accompaniment. The lyrics, or 'joiks' in the Sami dialect, to their work are abstract lyrical descriptions of the aura and sensations of the pieces and can be dedicated to animals and birds in nature, to special people or special occasions, and can alternately be joyous, sad or melancholic. Traditionally they are sung a cappella, but here Adjagas accompany their faintly celebratory vocals with plucked strings, tapped drums and soft bells and the combined effect is joyous, simplistic and uplifting.
The piece differs from the majority of what is available to the modern music listener. Instead of simulating natural, earthy tones in a studio Adjagas record their music in its original context, only employing studio equipment to document their existing sound. Whilst this does lend their work integrity and demonstrate their sincerity, 'Lihkolas', as a stand alone track, is a little flat and listless, rumbling along without much consequence, and whilst it may revive even the most cynical souls in Sami through its innate beauty, in the modern world is somewhat fails to capture the imagination.
Stream 'Lihkolas' HERE.
Artists in this article: Adjagas
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