This is unusual and fun. Karl Sölve Steven, composer for TV, producer, based in Pārāwai (Thames) has teamed up with Finnish songstress and vocal teacher Anna Fält to bring us a new and distincly original album called Väva. From this record they present us with single Ähky. This Finnish word translates to English as to “groan” or to “grunt” following exertion, and is synonymous with bouts of colic or stomach ache.

This is an incredibly brave release, and yet it’s also blatantly obvious as to why it’s chosen. With its virtually all acapella delivery it highlights so many things often compartmentalised into a studio mix. Anna provides the vocal, in Finnish, and the backing is her adding rhythmic breaths and some handclap slides. The melody is very primeval and tribal, and does indeed feel like a folk number from the wintry north.

Karl adds the occasional synth loop, but these are sparse – which is good, because the song doesn’t need to be beefed up by the time they enter the mix. I’ve actually been to Finland twice myself, and while being hardy and pragmatic, the Finns are very gracious and egalitarian. The melody to this song just sounds Finnish to me. I actually can’t tell you why; maybe it’s just because it’s in Finnish. I don’t know. I just know I thought it was really cool!

From the EPK, Anna says: “I originally wrote Ähky as a solo performance in 2015 and sometimes I sing it at my concerts.” says Fält. “It’s an old spell against stomach ache or colic, basically it’s a text that says to this ache to go away, just in a very poetic way with many words.“

This is definitely a song to be listened to outside of commercial circles. Live, I feel it would be compelling. It’s a song for people with specific linguistic interests, northern European folk music interests, and pretty much anyone who picks up on any of the comments I’ve made here. Please understand, I really, really enjoyed this – but it’s a niche song so go look for it rather than wait for the radio to bring it to you.

It’s on Spotify, and the Flash-Trax playlist has it on board. What a funny coincidence that only yesterday I posted a review on a band where the instrumental composition reminded me of a Finnish band of yesteryear named Hanoi Rocks, and now today I get to review a song sung entirely in Finnish. What a good day! Kiitos.