Klara Livet - Varandra

Klara Livet is the inter-generational collaboration between distinguished vet Dan Johansson (Neutral/Oroskallan/Amateur Hour/a billion others) and Gothenburg's latest prodigy, Astrid Oster Mortensen. So much of note here - the pedigree of the personnel involved; the continued importance of community & scene in the Gothenburg underground, horizontal and vertical through time; Mortensen's prolific creative streak (that's three records in a year or so); the endless spools of inspiration that seem to spill from the FFFM/Discreet universe++ And that's before we even mention the music itself, dark night of the soul outsider folk collage smears that land somewhere between Jandekian anti-formalist mysticism and a shortform reading of the 'freak folk' of Thuja, Fursaxa, Tower Recordings et al. What's most intriguing to me, though, is that this record is going to have sold out before you've got to the end of my ramblings, despite being really quite unusual and ostensibly anti-populist music making. Perhaps my frame of reference is too small to be casting a judgment on such things, but music this singular and unique doesn't happen accidentally. It's testament to the nurturing and growth of community and creative partnerships, of allowing space and reason for this to exist. Cherish the artists absolutely, but much respect for the labels that help drive this all into being. Not to be taken for granted. Edition of Sorry It's Already Sold Out. One per person, please. Good luck, as ever.