1921 – IN MY VEINS – COMPUNCTIO

Whether you go for this album or not will more than likely depend on your opinion on David Åhlén’s voice. It dominates the album, a soft but powerfully emotive instrument – but one whose tone may divide the audience a little. Placed forward in the mix, it operates with relatively sparse electronic accompaniment from Andreas Eklöf on synthesizers and electronics,  who gives some nicely constructed soft brush strokes in the background, with occasional slower beats. It is very effective, and emotional too, with a string element of vulnerability. ‘Psalm 115’ is a particularly moving account from Åhlé, finding an otherworldly stillness that casts a spell for the rest of the album. ‘In My Veins’ provides some quiet reflection from the noisy energy of day to day life, an effective antidote indeed.
 
Ben Hogwood
4 out of 5