ITERUM NATA

Jesse Heikkinen was a member of Finnish forest folk group HEXVESSEL for 2 albums in 2019 and 2020, but has been involved in the solo project ITERUM NATA since at least 2017 under the auspices of which he has issued 4 releases. The eponymous first album is the one that most clearly connects to the moniker which is Latin for "born again". Note this may mean something else outside of North America where the suffix "Christian" is essentially implied, and in this case, Heikkinen does indeed explore the mystical aspects of finding one's inner father, son and holy ghost all in one, or "Godhead" as it is sometimes known. Thank you to Gordy for spurring on my research in this area in which I am quite lacking.

Quality is emphasized over quantity here, neo proggers take note, but my first complaint is, while such is a noble goal, this is rather seriously lacking in quantity. At best an EP length, 2 of the albeit loveliest melodies are repeated as a main themes of the first and second tracks again in the final 2 tracks, but oh my, lovely they are, and it is! A fold-in of post rock. folk, minimalist and even a smattering of good old fashioned spiritual country with subtle as far flung references as FLOYD (throughout), STRAWBS (same, but particularly on "The Tree", which is reminiscent of "I'll Carry on Beside You"), TENHI ("Touch the Sun"), and HEXVESSEL ("Become the Sun"). The lyrics are based on hypnotic repetition of seemingly simple motifs that reverently suggest that an understanding of their occult meanings just might invoke essential deliverance from this realm. "Wake up Wake up, you are nothing at all" wafts into the ear like a mantra you actually want to remember. The multitracked harmonies, even when partly spoken, are almost embarrassingly, achingly lucid.

Needless to say I am rather taken with this initial offering and, with my only brief association with ITERUM NATA, I think it ranks as one of the 2 strongest of the 4 available. I don't readily grant 5 stars until something has sat with me for a time and infused me with a slow burn, after which time I will quietly remove what I just wrote. In the meantime, don't wait on this chance to reconnect with that childlike musical spirituality that, if you are like me, may have been dormant for a spell.