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Malady Premiere “Pieniin Saariin” from Self-Titled Debut, out Nov. 13 on Svart

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Helsinki classic progressive rockers Malady will make their self-titled debut Nov. 13 through Svart Records. The Finnish five-piece explore an encouragingly broad range of textures across the six-track/39-minute LP’s span, and while definitely nestled into atmospheres bolstered by organic-sounding production and ’70s-style groove, the mostly-instrumental outfit bring a sense of individual presence to the material via song structures that seem to be as much about which parts they’re riding out as which serve as transitional moments. Which is to say that on songs like the opener “Kantaa Taakan Maa” and its side B counterpart, “Unessakävelijä,” they pick their battles well, so that each piece establishes its own flow within the overriding pastoral vibe of Malady as a whole. And while the album has plenty of more upbeat, “active” moments, it’s left just as much to the ambient stretches to set the mood of the release. Together since 2010 and relying on a healthy dose of keys and Hammond from Ville Rohiola to add complexity to their arrangements, Malady offer patience and serenity beyond their years and seem to work directly in contrast to their name.

Guitarists Tony Björkman and Babak Issabeigloo (the latter also vocals), bassist Jonni Tanskanen, Rohiola and drummer Juuso Jylhänlehto comprise the lineup, malady maladyand in true classic prog fashion, their debut is more about what’s created by the whole than a clinic of individual performances. Shorter, acoustic-based pieces like “Loittoneva Varjoni” and closer “Kakarlampi” — the latter caked in Mellotron — speak to some folkish influence, but really it’s more about the front-to-back scope, which is summed up efficiently in the 10-minute “Aarnivalkea” or side A’s “Pieniin Saariin,” which eases its way on with a drum fill before unfolding the album’s most fluid build, peppered early on by verses but immersive instrumentally and geared more toward the peaceful, vinyl-ready naturalism of its ebbs and flows, coming to a head near the midpoint, receding and rising again, the keys and guitars bringing about an apex to pay off Malady‘s first half while leading the way into the jazzy adventurousness of “Unessakävelijä” at the start of the second. Across this current of shifts and changes, Malady retain a sense of control and unpretentious poise that works against “debut” expectation and speaks to their potential going forward, but I won’t take away from their self-titled’s intrinsic value either. Whatever it might lead to, Malady‘s Malady is worth hearing now as well.

Right now, as it happens, is when you can stream “Pieniin Saariin” as a track premiere on the player below. More info on the release follows, courtesy of the PR wire:

Finland has a long-standing tradition of atmospheric, quirky progressive rock, from genre forefathers like Wigwam, Magyar, and Tasavallan Presidentti to modern-day stalwarts such as Sammal and Liekki. Svart Records is proud to present the latest link in the chain: Malady.

When Malady was founded in Helsinki by a bunch of twenty-somethings in 2010, the band members had one goal: to create one album before turning 50. This attitude for making music describes the band quite well. Music is all that matters; stardom is secondary. Svart will release Malady’s self-titled debut album on November 13th on CD, LP, and digital formats.

Even though the band are deeply into the retro aesthetic, and building the album with the right kind of sounds took plenty of effort, the music is not just about being vintage. The storytelling mood of Malady’s meandering songs is supported by an analog soundscape. Malady’s music is, at the same time, subtle and substantial.

After the debut album was completed two decades before the self-imposed deadline, the desire to continue making music lived on. The story will continue.

Tracklisting for Malady’s Malady
1. Kantaa taakan maa
2. Loittoneva varjoni
3. Pieniin saariin
4. Unessakävelijä
5. Aarnivalkea
6. Kakarlampi

Malady on Thee Facebooks

Malady on Soundcloud

Malady at Svart Records

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2 Responses to “Malady Premiere “Pieniin Saariin” from Self-Titled Debut, out Nov. 13 on Svart”

  1. Harry Pokke Björkman says:

    Just Worderfull!

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