PASTORALIA

I picked up on Jordsjo with their Nattfiolen LP, which became one of my favorite records of 2019. On that album they cemented their own style of retro prog in the vein of early Camel (think of a track like Mirage's Nimrodel / The Procession / White Rider). In 2020 the band released an instrumental album filled with mystical jazzy folk prog under the 'Elds Mark' banner. A fine record as well. Jordsjo's 2021 offering is actually a good mixture between these two records. The band has a sort of 'acoustic' roomy sound, though playing electric instrument most of the time. The band has a great flute player and the the fuzzy lead guitar suits the natural sound.

The compositions still have traces of symphonic prog, but this album often sounds more like prog folk in the vein of Gryphon. The band has an introverted way of playing and combined with the introverted Norwegian vocals it all sound quite mystical. Somehow this album sound very linked with nature, as if it is an ode to the woods and forest of Norway. The compositions are filled with interesting retro textures and sounds, all very sophisticated in a subtle way. Compared to Nattfiolen this album is even less filled with actual songs and perhaps a bit more abstract (a bit like technical fusion music sometimes). On the other hand the style of Jordsjo has become even more distinguished from other prog groups in the retro-prog field. The recording quality is fine and the vinyl comes with a lot of great artwork - to the point of almost justifying a purchase because of the sheer beauty of the physical album.

With 'Pastoralia' Jordsjo again shows itself to be one of the better and more interesting progressive rock groups of the day. On every album the band manages to refine its craft and become more distinguished, seemingly without giving a care about pleasing today's prog crowd too much. For my own personal taste this album lacks some moments that really grasp me on an emotional level. Instead I feel more like witnessing something very magical, but also a bit distant. Still a good contender for best album of the year so far and must-have for listeners of symphonic prog, retro prog and prog folk.