In 2014, First Aid Kit made a long-awaited (by me anyway) album release, since The Lion's Roar in 2012. (which is when I first saw them live, and fell in love.)
These two sisters, Johanna and Klara Söderberg, from Sweden, initially took the indie-folk scene by storm in 2008 with their cover of 'Tiger Mountain Peasant Song' by the Fleet Foxes. Over the years, they have gathered a following of many folk, indie-folk, indie-pop and even country and psychadelic-pop fans. They have since become known as queens of harmony, with the capacity to even rival Midlake and Fleetwood Mac.
'Stay Gold' lived up to the hype achieved by the singles released over in the run up to June. 'My Silver Lining' is undoubtedly the most infamous song on this album, as well as currently First Aid Kit's most popular song on Spotify, Soundcloud and YouTube. This single was released in May on YouTube and definitely was the song to get me, alongside many others the most excited for the album.
As an album altogether, 'Stay Gold' seems to have a more country feel than that of 'The Lion's Roar', which definitely leaned more towards folk. However, the too-close but yet so heavenly harmonies seem to be what define this album, and seem to be what the two sisters are trying so hard to define themselves with. However, there is definitely a niche in the market for this at the moment, and they're more than just recorded: seeing these lovely ladies live in 2012 at End of the Road festival, it was clear that they more than understood harmony.
'My Silver Lining' is definitely among the most feel-good, inspiring tracks on the album, with empowering lyrics, harmonies to make you melt and a beautiful strings line which feels endlessly silky smooth and flowing.
The title track of this album, 'Stay Gold', with a mellower feel still remains amongst my favourites. With a consistent pure vocal countermelody and thoughtful lyrics, this one manages to both calm and inspire. As it reaches its conclusion, backing vocals really come into play.
'Master Pretender' is one of the more recently-appreciated singles on the album. Its soft ongoing guitar melody, gorgeous vocals and glissando pre-chorus fit together like puzzle pieces and altogether create a song that dips and rises in all the right places.
'The Bell' and the upbeat 'Heaven knows' are other highlights of the album. However, 'A Long Time Ago', which concludes 'Stay Gold', features only soft piano line accompaniment (previously unheard of for First Aid Kit.) The simplicity of this track works perfectly, bringing what works as a really well constructed album to a perfect close.
My outlook on this album? Definitely worth buying for some easygoing listening. Summer 2014 was undoubtedly prime time to release this album: it's definitely an album for basking in the sun rather than driving in the cold winter months. First Aid Kit successfully fulfilled that little niche that's been waiting for the perfect folk/country band with something a little different to show.
'Stay Gold' without doubt surpasses 2012's 'The Lion's Roar' and the EP, showing that First Aid Kit only can develop from here. What can we expect over the next few years?
Klara and Johanna are revealed to be touring this summer 2015 and have been touring already. They are confirmed for Isle of Wight festival (which I will be attending). I look towards the future to see what these incredibly talented sisters have yet to show us.
Watch their performance of 'Master Pretender' on Graham Norton here.
-Ella
Klara and Johanna are revealed to be touring this summer 2015 and have been touring already. They are confirmed for Isle of Wight festival (which I will be attending). I look towards the future to see what these incredibly talented sisters have yet to show us.
Watch their performance of 'Master Pretender' on Graham Norton here.
-Ella
