Fever Ray : S/T :: Review

Karen Dreijer Andersson of The Knife is Fever Ray.  Fever Ray is the name of the side project, album, and somewhat describes the music contained within.  Fever Ray’s self-titled album could best be described as intense, anxious and dark.  Fever Ray is different from The Knife because the arrangements allow for more traditional instrumentation rather than exclusively electronic explorations.

The album opens with the stark and somber, “If I Had A Heart” which sets the tone for duration.  Andersson sings in part with an altered vocal and then shifts towards her natural voice for the chorus.  Pensive at times, it seems like the impending dread will never let up.  “When I Grow Up” includes a litany of qualities that Andersson would find favorable.  This track is a bit lighter in tone and delivery than “If I Had A Heart” because the previous cut is full of menace.

“Dry and Dusty” returns the album back to its melancholic base.  “Dry and Dusty” features ambient keys that are punctuated by spacey effects throughout this airy song.  Despite some upbeat moments in songs “Triangle Walks” and “I’m Not Done,” the album quickly recoils and returns to its moodier arrangements.  The shifty, “Now Is The Only Time I Know” could almost be considered a pop song, the melody is that catchy.  The superbly chilled out “Keep The Streets Empty For Me” exemplifies the sound of desperation from the narrator going through uncertain times.

While Fever Ray is not oppressively grim, it is an album that is perfect for the winter months.  The album ends with “Coconut” which offers some light to help ease off the emerging darkness from the gray days ahead.

This post was submitted by greg.