We first entered Ani Even’s peculiar aural space earlier this year, hosting a deep and meaningful interview that opened our eyes to the project’s cathartic allure and spiritual philosophy. At the time, we teased an upcoming album, ‘SKINWALKER’. That album is out today, and we couldn’t be more ecstatic to find out more about it. Packed with eleven eclectic pieces, the record showcases everything the Danish creative has to offer: from intense, gloomy electronica to folklore-driven explorations, passing through cinematic textures and ambient reflections.
Such artistic pluralism traces a heartfelt connection with the album’s overall lyricism, with Even reaffirming the kaleidoscope nature of humanity: “We are never just one thing. Masculinity, softness, queerness, chaos, responsibility: they coexist.” To better conceive the idea, the record uses the figure of the ‘Skinwalker’, a legendary being capable of multiple transformations. From a sonic standpoint, such a potent character is mirrored in the trilingual ethos behind the project.
Embracing English, Danish and Nordic languages, Ani Even takes us through haunting, eerie, hypnotic cuts – such as the opener ‘Be With Me’ – and darkwave, industrial efforts – such as its follow-up ‘I Know That You Lie’. We are particularly curious about how Even manages to blend tradition and modernity, a feature that continuously emerges throughout the album. Take, for instance, the contrast between the primal kinetic energy of ‘It’s a Great Deal’, and the quirky futurism of the title track.
Overall, ‘SKINWALKER’ is a record that pushes the boundaries, a collection of music that challenges the listener. One must be bold and fearless – the reward is immense.
Recommended! Discover ‘SKINWALKER’ on Spotify:
