Norwegian Metaspion is an eccentric musician, to say the least. He combines traditional Scandinavian songs with parts of folk and parts of electronic music that’s boils together that becomes completely Metaspion. He’s like Beck, but far stranger, Gothic, and more Scandinavian.
“I want to make people dance and to make younger people curious to check out more of the wonderful treasures that are to be found in Norwegian folk music and folk dance,” said Chris Auman A.K.A. Metaspion in a statement. “The music is still relevant… I want to bring those vibes and that energy into the electronic music today and combine it with crazy new sounds.”
The album Folktronika Schmolkfonika begins with “Heist” is a sharp way to begin an album with a funky groove and fun-on-the-dance-floor sensibilities. The following track “Not Everything Is Terrible” is feels weighty with deep and soul melody with a thumping beat and wonderful breaks.
The track “Old Rules Don’t Apply” is a real driver with excellent build up to a neat-o groove and a clean production, while “Tveitaaen” expertly combines Scandinavian folk music with inventive house. The song “Render Me Happy” feels like a classic with a mixture of folk and breakbeats that recalls the best of Fatboy Slim and Happy Hardcore.
“Worry” is a good stomper with a driving beat that feels dancey and aware, as the track “Indianger” mixes genres and styles into one digestible track.
“Zinklars Vise” plays on Scandinavian folk music with a robust percussion and a Gothic twist, as the song “Psycho Dope” certainly feels like the track suggests. Again, a strong Fatboy Slim influence can be felt throughout. “Wasp” raises the stakes with a healthy dose of the bizarre with a wide breath of the eerie. It’s a strong track that perfectly encapsulates the music of Metaspion.
The album ends with the track “Testamente,” which contains the dark and haunting notes with spooky and almost alien Scandinavian folk music through the lense of the macabre. It’s a fitting way to end Folktronika Schmolkfonika.
Overall, the album from Metaspion is truly a bizarre piece of work, and I mean that in a good way. The Norwegian recording artist has a knack and ear for mixing two genres that have no business combining together. However, with Metaspion’s music, it just works.
Songs: B-
Technical: C+
Overall: B-
For more info on Metaspion, check out his Facebook, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp pages.
