Review MYRKUR ‘Spine’

Amalie Bruun is an extraordinary artist. The Danish singer is the head of Myrkur, a project Bruun started in 2014 and since then impresses with extraordinary music.

With ‘Spine’ Myrkur is releasing their fourth full-length album, after having brought three records to the shelves of record stores: ‘M’, ‘Mareridt’ and ‘Falkesange’.

Musically, ‘Spine’ is very interesting, as the release continues the musical journey that began on the first records. While initially the band made several black metal cross-references, these angry outbursts have been noticeably reduced over the years. Also on the new record these roots are recognizable in songs like the, in parts, raging ‘Valkyrierenes Sang’ and in the following ‘Blazing Sky’. Nevertheless, Bruun has focused more on the atmospheric level, which gives the songs even more ambient. Even on the two aforementioned tracks, the fast and archaic moments are more in the background while the melodic vocal lines are in the forefront.

Right from the start it is clear that Myrkur is focusing on the traditions of Scandinavia and therefore ‘Balfaerd’ (Danish for Viking Funeral), a very mystical opener, is placed at the beginning of the record. It is a longer intro in which metaphorically concluded with the past with something new arising. Hereby the song creates a basic spirit, which is taken up by the following ‘Like Humans’.

The latter song is probably one of the catchiest ever to be found on a Myrkur disc. Even though dark guitar sounds kick off the song, it is the very catchy chorus which catches you right away. A soulful melodic line has the effect that the track doesn’t let you loose after the first listen.

The songs on the album are in the area of friction between a deep mother/daughter relationship on the one hand and a humanity on the other hand, in which isolation and restriction make up an ever increasing share.

Songs like ‘Mothlike’, which can almost be called dark pop, and the profound ‘My Blood is Gold’, which brings back memories of Kate Bush, are poignant moments of emotional depth.

The spine is the most important and at the same time the most sensitive part of the skeleton. ‘Spine’ reflects this fragility and strength in a musically and lyrically skillful way. This is an album you have to listen to, even if it’s usually the harsh riffs that activate adrenaline.