There’s an undeniable recent resurgence of eclectic and psychedelic instrumental acts…and I’m all for it! True, I don’t quite know what’s brought on this sudden wave of wordless brilliance, but I’m only too happy to sit back and enjoy the ride. With this in mind, allow me to introduce you to Norwegian four-piece Free Paa Jord and their utterly mesmerizing new album ‘pax internationalis’.
Now, while not wholly instrumental, ‘pax internationalis’ features eight of the most surreal and otherworld tunes I’ve heard in some time. Featuring brief guest vocals from Arne Håkon Tjelle of Soft Ride and Bloody Beach, the just over thirty-minute record is a sonic journey through time and place.
The title track begins proceedings gently, easing the listener in with alluring guitar work and a colourful fusion of sounds and styles. ‘Flora’ then enters the fray in an upbeat fashion before settling into a floaty and ethereal soundscape, while ‘Indigo’ offers something of a palette cleanser for what’s still to come.
‘Rhodos 86’ showcases just how masterful Fred Paa Jord truly are as a group of individual musicians, and ‘Tonga’ is a song that just stole my heart from the first second I heard it.
With three more tunes still to discover, what on earth are you waiting for? Dive in! The water’s warm!
Serious album alert! Enjoy ‘pax internationalis’ on Spotify now:
