Yö
Cudighi, 2021
10/10
An outfit from Finland consisting of Jukka Herva, Minna-Kaisa Kallinen, Juuso Paaso and Samuli Tanner, Mustat Kalsarit play a ragged version of rock that’s certainly gritty and somehow finds itself residing somewhere between punk, metal, psyche-rock and even power-pop on this sophomore album.
“Puhu musta” starts the album with thick, fuzzy guitar, as calm, expressive singing enters the loud versus quiet dynamics, and “En tahdo astua pimeyteen” follows with a swift display of warm, raw garage rock that showcases Tanner’s scrappy drumming.
Further on, Elaa vaan” brings a powerful mesh of post-punk and power pop, while “Ulmaan” offers noise-rock tendencies amid Herva’s strategic keyboards and primitive melodies. “Harmaata massaa” then trims the volume back to a rugged and vocally harmonic album highlight that even gets groove friendly.
Near to the end, “Nokka” recruits a more cautious and psyche influenced tone of their inimitable vision, and “Puu” exits the listen with flute and mellotron making an appearance in a dreamy, diverse finish to an unrefined and exceptional listen.
Passo has been the heart and soul of the band since day one (i.e. 2009), and the members he’s aligned with now help make this version of Mustat Kalsarit the best yet, as Yö is a superb record for those who adore unpolished and often visceral forms of rock.
Travels well with: Sonya Waters- The Sheltering Ranges; Anne Laplantine- chéri chance inouïe