Ostensibly the sound of Stina Nordenstam fronting a stripped-to-its-electro-core Efterklang, ‘Aurora’ is a debut album that’s initially striking in its icy beauty, but lacking in essential warmth to drive repeat-play perusal.
Swedish duo The Deer Tracks’ M.O. is nothing particularly new – the glacial atmospherics of ‘Vespertine’-era Björk, slowly-shifting sounds that expand around a centre of twinkling electronic tones to create a whole some will deem ethereally absorbing, others too slight to truly get onto – but the execution is tough to criticise. Yes, their works are deeply inspired by predecessors aplenty, but David Lehnberg and vocalist Elin Lindfors are capable of brewing an occasionally intoxicating mix, even if the morning-after throb is one you’ve experienced before.
‘This Puzzled Piece’ sees Lindfors’ angelic vocals come to the fore – absolutely a strong selling point of the band, her presence is at times the highlight of proceedings, at others an absolute must to guarantee prolonged interest as a formula finds itself overly repeated. The track’s spectral of shape, backwards synths playing out beneath spare piano keys, a chorus of cricket-click beats working away at the margins – it’s a great representative of what the band does best, when they’re at their best. ‘Christmas Fire’ is similarly commendable, its micro-beats dazzling atop a shimmering backdrop of echoed washes and affecting vocals, and closer ‘Cast Away’ resonates with a sense of drama that could have been spread out a little more evenly.
But for all the prettiness of ‘Aurora’, it’s hard to recommend it above the works of its makers’ aforementioned influences – it plays out like a school play of a Broadway show, note-for-note in its faithfulness but simply lacking much of its own identity. Perhaps this will come with their next release. For now, The Deer Tracks must be content with producing a fine album of gentle and sweet arrangements that comes across as a love letter to their own favourite acts.
Ultimately, there are far worse positions to be in.
