Naar Vinden Graater...
Dypt Inne I Skogen
Et Ensomt Minne
Nordlysets Dans
Lengsel
Sorg
Skumringens Omfavn
Her Ute I Moerket
Taake
Doedens Evige Kall

Forlatt marks the debut album from instrumentalist, Vàli, a one-man band hailing from Norway. Delivering what is mostly a purely acoustic guitar work of neoclassical and folk-influenced virtuosity, Forlatt covers panoply of subtle emotive verve that at all times is euphonic and undiluted by obscuring symphonic elements that would otherwise mask the potency of instrumentation. Not to say that the album is purely solo acoustic work, most tracks blend two guitars that dovetail each other supported by an accompaniment of natural cello, violin and flute that shades rather than colours each track. Vàli arpeggiates his music with fluidity and prescience of dynamics rarely found in neoclassical/folk instrumental work, his music has a melancholic charm that doesn’t mire itself purely in minor chordal pits of ennui but aspires to uplift the listener’s spirit.

While only clocking in just over thirty minutes, the breadth of expressive style from what is an instrumental work is refreshing and introspective. The production quality is sublime, the acoustic guitars recorded with an art that captures every nuance of finger shift, guitar noise and even Vàli’s own breath.

NYR