Swedish band US & THEM consist of the duo of Britt Rönnholm and Anders Håkanson, and together they aim to create, explore and release “fragile, dreamy, otherworldly music”. They have done so on two full albums and half a dozen of EPs so far. “Fading Within the Dwindling Sun” is the most recent of the latter, and was released as a 10 inch vinyl album by UK label Fruits de Mer Records towards the end of 2016.
Fruits de Mer Records are known for inviting artists to recreate the psychedelic music of yesteryear, and in this case we’re treated to an EP consisting of five songs from Sandy Denny’s repertoire. Songs Sandy made her own, some penned by her, one by Richard Thompson and one traditional tune. I understand that Sandy Denny is quite the name in the right circles, and as she is also listed as an inspiration by Us & Them I rather guess this has been a challenging task due to that context.
I’ll have to acknowledge that the originals are not items all that known and precious to me, but my impression is that Us & Them have made a good job: This is an entertaining and well made EP, and one the band can be proud of in it’s own right.
Of the five tracks here, three are shorter creations with a clear and distinct singer/songwriter foundation, and I suspect they were made with merely the acoustic guitar and vocals in mind. On this occasion each of them have been lightly flavored with orchestration details, adding depth and emotional impact, with concluding cut Take Away the Load also featuring a sequence I’d describe as pastoral.
The two long cuts on this EP expands the canvas ever so slightly. While clearly folk-oriented in style and perhaps also with something of a singer/songwriter foundation, these have been broadly expanded to include not just orchestration details but also a liberal array of fleeting, mystical and ever so slightly exotic sounds. Neatly and carefully done I should add, and flavoring these compositions with a distinct psychedelic sound and presence.
The soft, slightly cold and careful vocals of Britt Rönnholm is the delicate presence that really gives life to these songs, the almost ethereal chill breeze of her voice giving these songs a distinct identity. On the one song where Anders Håkanson joins her, his dark, smooth and calmly warm voice comes across as a perfect supplemental contrast.
Careful, well made and delicate music is what Us & Them provides with their versions of Sandy Denny’s music. All of them operating out from a singer/songwriter foundation, expanded either by orchestra details or more elaborate yet careful psychedelic textures. Those who finds that description compelling or merely have an interest in artists covering the material of Sandy Denny might want to take note of this EP.
My rating: 80/100
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Track list:
Winter Winds; Farewell, Farewell; Next Time Around; Banks of the Nile; Take Away the Load
