When we think of island land masses, amongst many things, there are a couple of notable thoughts and ideals which spring to mind. First is the idea of separation and seclusion, with the idea of remote, undiscovered or unknown locales, untouched by outsiders. Second is the diversity and uniqueness that they provide from both one another and from other land masses; different climates, cultures, unique creatures and flora.

I mention this because first of all, debut album from Swedes Svarta Stugan is called Islands/Öar (self-released), funnily enough, but also because it is these fascinating strokes of thought that it brings to mind with its subject matter.

The first full length after a plethora of small, diverse releases, Islands/Öar is a compelling effort which embraces oddity through its instrumental Noise/post-Rock, with each song being different (often vastly) to one another.

Album opener ‘Islands III’ begins as a very minimalist and brooding piece which gives a feel of suspense, especially on first listen when you don’t know what to expect and are potentially prepared for an eruption. Instead, whilst it does build to an extent, it hits into an Earth style of clean, subtle heaviness and foreboding. ‘Islands Unknown’ follows as a more delicate entity, before ‘Inner Space’ opens into a more heavy, psychedelic and alien sounding beast, with Theremin-like piercing soundscapes and sense of frenzy.

Each track throughout the album throws up different layers, subtleties and nuances which separate it from the rest, and this falls in to that idea of island individuality, whilst the album as a whole perpetuates that alien and solitary quality, from disordered track listings to a strange sense of flow that feels more like a haunting, psychological soundtrack of sorts as opposed to a conventional album.

It is these fascinating and challenging anti-tropes that make this album all the more enriching and hypnotic. Whilst it has an appropriate background, white noise quality to it, it is also an effort which needs your full attention to properly feel and absorb. Bringing together post- and Noise Rock, ambient and psychedelic influences makes this a deep, yet at times minimalist, affair which certainly warrants at the very least, a curious listen.

7 / 10

CHRIS TIPPELL