Creative composer, musician and philosopher Lauri Järvilehto highlights a broadly appealing scope of sound quite instantly, with the engaging rhythms and evocative yet retro synth choices of his album Songs About Sadness.
The project is quick to redirect expectations, with the heavy tones and somewhat cinematic, sci-fi mystique of Alive With You, then quick again to meander in another new direction, as Lauri’s voice proceeds to weave an intimate and breathy web of personal contemplation and longing.
From a songwriting perspective, these melodies and lyrical journeys are original but accessible, and yet when combined with the rather bold but also delicately framed production choices, the listener winds up enthralled in a kind of old-school movie arena of story and song that’s unpredictable but satisfying as it increasingly tightens its grip.
Despite the implications of the title, Songs About Sadness is surprisingly upbeat and colourful, featuring a neat balancing of organic live performances and playful programming. Consider the live energy, passion and upfront bass of Typhoon – an anthemic highlight, with a choir of voices and a poetic peak that naturally lingers in the mind.
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