Sarah Klang - Virgo (2021)

Regular readers should know all about the amazing vocals and song writing of Sweden's Sarah Klang so this album should be something of a welcome arrival rather than a surprise. Either way, 'Virgo' is here for us to luxuriate and revel in so let's quit the preamble and get down to business shall we?

Opening with '17 pounds', Klang gives us as moody and scene setting an album introduction as you could hope for as woozy synths are joined by a driving beat and then that voice - full of soul, sadness, determination, experience and, well, life. Recent single 'Fever Dream' comes next with a more country vibe before giving way to 'Canyon', a song that shimmers in to view over the desert horizon with all the hope and optimism of an impromptu road trip suggested by Fleetwood Mac and Miley Cyrus. The gentle lilt of 'Anywhere' swells gradually in to a heartwarming song while 'Girls' features a rusty piano melody and Klang's voice in what is the most intimate of the songs on this collection.

Klang's real talent is in being open and seemingly vulnerable but never once appearing defeated, such is the energy on 'Ghost Killer' as she sings of a heart "filled with dreams" with a voice that although soulful doesn't exactly smack you in the face. 'Youth' is similarly fragile and the First Aid Kit comparisons are unavoidable but 'Blue' has a little more forward motion as Klang's vocals take on a dusky, almost crooning quality. The haunting folk ripples of acoustic guitar on 'Spell' morph effortlessly in to something more electronic and then 'Love So Cruel' rings out with clear piano notes going all Elton John on our asses.

Penultimate song 'Love Bliss' is a spaced out and dreamy track that makes your mind and your heart wander off without a care in the world. The appropriately titled closing track 'The End' leads us off in to the sunset as a wash of synths and subtle, 80s inspired beats leave you expect the credits to star rolling up. Sarah Klang has an incredible voice and a real talent for creating songs that become soundscapes which can alter your mood within the space of three minutes. Fragile beauty with a cinematic edge....and then some.