Aurora
Hailing from the city of Gävle, Sweden, the duo of David Lehnberg and Elin Lindfor release their debut album amidst expectation of following the likes of Sigur Ros and Mew towards car adverts and eventual notoriety. Whilst they may have leanings towards delicate electro and techno, 'Aurora' aims to settle The Deer Tracks in their own little niche.
As album openers go, 'Yes This Is My Broken Shield' can be counted as one of the more epic; ushering you in with haunting electronica and even more chilling atmospherics. Child-like vocals mask the sonic activity behind it, namely allusive piano keys before a crashing crescendo that would act as a gloriously fitting soundtrack to the overhead visual playground of the aforementioned astronomical extravaganza. Scandinavian pop has created its own legacy in stunning vocal harmonies, namely from the indecipherable Sigur Ros, but you can now add The Deer Tracks to that canon. With the two in tandem their voices become as clear as the glaciers that surround their mainland on 'The Puzzled Piece'.
With a well conceived remix, 'Slow Collision' could easily crack the mainstream with its thrilling cacophony of beats, synths and trumpets. As if to adhere to their lo-fi traditions, '127Sex Fyra' begins with a series of snaps and crackles before being swept away by a stirring orchestral din of clarinets and that trumpet. Such is the blend in subtle beats, you barely notice that 'Before The Storm' has already begun. Like another renowned Scandinavian export, the track is almost Bjork-esque with sheepish vocals as if delivered from another room playing joyously over submissive electro.
'I Bite Your Tongue' barely sounds as vicious as it should be. Instead Lindfor’s vocals drift into open space with only Lehnberg’s backing as well as ethereal drumbeats and trumpet until an ominous, pulsing synth rescues proceedings. Despite its leaning towards all things warm and cosy, 'Christmas Fire' is anything but and could easily soundtrack The Snowman’s fully intact flight with its rollicking lullabies. Delectable folkish melodies combine with ever more tender flickering electro to allow Lehnberg and Lindfor’s vocals to take flight during 'World Of Abel'. With a graceful combination of drifting beats and sweeping vocals, for their grand finale 'Cast Away' does exactly what it says on the tin for just over six minutes.
The Northern Lights are best appreciated in eerie silence yet if they needed a soundtrack then The Deer Tracks could happily provide one.