Anna von Hausswolff – Dead Magic

Review

Swedish songstress Anna von Hausswolff's 'Dead Magic' is a bewitching brew of sonic sorcery that'll have you spellbound from the first ethereal note. Conjured in the shadowy streets of Gothenburg during the summer of 2016, this album is a phantasmagorical journey through sound and spirit. The pipe organ, von Hausswolff's instrument of choice, looms large in the mix, its sonorous tones echoing through the cavernous spaces of your imagination.

With just five tracks, 'Dead Magic' manages to weave a tapestry of terror and beauty that's as intricate as it is expansive. Von Hausswolff's voice pirouettes between banshee wails and angelic whispers, leading us through a labyrinth of experimental soundscapes. It's as if she's channeling the spirits of long-forgotten gothic cathedrals, their ancient stones resonating with centuries of hidden secrets.

This isn't your garden-variety goth rock or run-of-the-mill experimental fare. 'Dead Magic' is a chimera, a beautiful monster born from the unholy union of classical grandeur and avant-garde audacity. It's an album that demands your full attention, rewarding the brave listener with layer upon layer of sonic revelation. So, dim the lights, light some candles, and prepare to be transported to von Hausswolff's mystical realm – just don't blame me if you can't find your way back! - Harper