From a Story Now Lost

Norwegian musician Anja Lauvdal studied at the Trondheim Conservatory of Music, and has been active with dozens of groups and collaborative projects, ranging from free improvisation sessions to indie pop bands. However, she hadnt really considered making music as a solo artist until she found herself burnt out from constant touring, and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she had much more time to work on her own music. Produced by Laurel Halo, who also contributed material remotely from Berlin, From a Story Now Lost is based on improvised parts, which were looped, collaged, and fashioned into instruments. Opener "Tehanu" has a loose rhythmic framework, with brisk winds drifting over crackling percussion. "The Dreamer" is closer to a trippy, mutating version of neo-classical darkwave, with sour strings melting into an acidic pool deep inside a cavern. "Fantasie for Agathe Backer Grondahl" is inspired by the music of an impressionistic 19th century pianist who composed around 400 pieces yet remains lesser known compared to some of her contemporaries. The piece itself consists of rapid glitches, reflecting the fragmentation of Grondahls body of work. "Sukkertare" delves into submerged beat science, with a partially hidden dub-funk rhythm fluctuating underneath woozy synths. Most of the rest of the albums pieces are much freer, from "Darkkantate"s blissfully hazy woodwinds to the detached, rambling pianos of "Xerxesdrops." "A Swim" inhabits a more enchanted space, with echoing chirps and vibrations surrounding sweet, delay-riddled synth melodies. Lauvdal roams in several different directions on From a Story Now Lost, and the best results are captivating. ~ Paul Simpson