Swedish producer Olof Dreijer, best known for his work with sibling Karin in the duo the Knife and her solo project Fever Ray, has released his debut solo album, Loud Bloom. The album, themed around flowers and gardens, marks a departure from the winter gloom often associated with his previous work, instead reaching towards sunlight with vibrant, dance-oriented tracks.
A Distinctive Musical Voice
Dreijer's unique style is immediately recognizable; as one critic noted, 'you can tell it's him from just half a second of music.' His melodies squiggle through the air like a beach ball caught in a strong breeze, while distorted notes rear up in surprise or tilt quizzically. The rhythms draw from cumbia, kuduro, dancehall, techno, and more, but are complicated with fiendish funk and anti-quantised detailing.
Global Collaborations
The album features charismatic guest vocalists from Sudan (MaMan), Colombia (Diva Cruz), and South Africa (Toya Delazy), who go toe-to-toe with Dreijer's intricate beats. Each track is named after a flower, reinforcing the garden theme.
Contemplative Moments
Later in the album, the drums ebb away for contemplative studies in metal strings and ambient tones. While these moments may be slightly less original than the dance tracks, they still move with the same impetuous rhythmic sensibility. Dreijer has created his own walled garden of psychedelia, conjuring the light and scent of a summer in bloom.
Loud Bloom is out now on DH2 Records.
