Ljora
Apollon, 2026
9/10
This first album from the Norwegian folkgaze outfit Fälaren blends many different ideas into 7 really creative tracks that are sonically and emotionally engaging.
The cozy and hazy mood of “Ruinam” opens with Ulf Simon Lindgren’s meticulous guitar surrounding the complicated and melodic gestures that touch on math-rock, and “Leilani-I” follows with a stirring intimacy that makes great use of Vebjørn Numme’s light drums.
Moving into the middle, “Skækkent” benefits from Bendik Nygård Torvund’s strategic bass across the emotive and elegant landscape, while “Convallia” picks up the pace with thicker guitar and firm vocals amid the alt-rock intensity.
“Velora” exits, and it floats with a soothing presence before building into a post-rock burst before retreating to calm.
A really impressive debut, the band share vocal duties, where the songs touch on fuzzed out bouts, psychedelic, shoegaze, jazz, rock and folk music for yet another Norwegian based album you’ll enjoy repeatedly.
Travels well with: Lonely Crowd- By The Time You Read This; Gjenferd- Black Smoke Rising