New Music: Darkplace – Älvdans

On the last single before the release of their About Nordic Folklore album, Darkplace look to the arboreal shadings of folk music with Älvdans.

The lyrics of Älvdans refer to ‘dancing in the dawning light’ – fitting, as the track was born from reflecting on Swedish logdans traditions: rural communal dances from centuries past. And you really do get the sense that Darkplace is getting to grips with a primal communion with nature, one before technology.

That communion is a communal one – Älvdans has an escapist quality to it – but everything from the folkish textures to the hymnal vocals is designed to be shared, as if in a ceremony or celebration, Dionysian but downtempo and decorous, sirens drawing you towards the unknown.

“I began by trying to capture what a foggy meadow would sound like,” Darkplace explains about the genesis of the song. “From there, it builds toward the chorus, which is entirely about the dance.”

“I imagined a midsummer party past midnight,” they continue. “Everyone drunk and tired under the midnight sun. People begin to notice the sirens dancing in the foggy meadow, and one by one, they join in.”

About Nordic Folklore, which is certain to appeal to fans of Sopor Aeternus and Dead Can Dance, is set for release on the 6th of March via Icons Creating Evil Art and is now up for pre-order on Bandcamp. Hit up Darkplace on Instagram or TikTok for album news – and be sure to watch the painterly video for Älvdans; it’s magnificent.