The past years have seen a string of Scandinavian bands embracing the rhythm and feel of traditional music from the Balkan area, most notably Norwegian madmen Kaizers Orchestra, almost making it a new pop. Another is Faroese actor gone musician, Dánjal (full name Dánjal á Neystabø), who’s debut is an engaging mix of folk, tango and said Balkan influences.

With the help from several friends (among them Høgni Lisberg and ORKA’s Jens L. Thomsen who’s also mixed the album), a brass and a string quartet, Dánjal navigates safely through the 12 richly instrumented and treacherously dynamic songs seasoned with a dash of Tom Waits, taking us on a lyrical journey to hell and back, in between touching on love, religion and a western world view elegantly summed up in ‘The Enemy’:

“Let’s find ourselves an enemy and beat them up with democracy”.

There is something in this kind of music that is immediately moving, whether it’s the upbeat drama or a sense of primitive, instinctive recognition also associated with the rhythms of African traditionals. Or both. Whatever the reason it is undeniably pleasing and life-affirming – and with ‘The Palace’ Dánjal grabs his seat at the high table for Balkan inspired Scandinavian artists.

Genre: Rock
Who: Dánjal
Title: The Palace
Label: Tutl
Year: 2009
Country: Faroe Islands
Language: English
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Recommended tracks:
The Big Wheel Keeper – Tower Of Babylon – Down In A Hole – The Enemy – The Palace