Starting a new musical chapter, guitarist and singer-songwriter Aleksi Kii released his album Varjokuvia last Friday. The album reaches into the deeper side of Finnish rock, and combines rock influences from the 90s and early 2000s in a natural, fresh and unique way. The album is released by the artist’s own label Last Day of the North.
The album’s lead single is the post-punk-influenced song “Kummitustanssi”, which is about a reunion of an old friend. The song is shrouded in a ghostly but warm-hearted atmosphere similar to the works of Tim Burton.
“The song is about meeting an old friend who has passed away as a ghost. You haven’t seen each other in years, the whole night city is yours to use and you’re floating around without any mirrors or shadows. You’re dancing together and no one notices the two invisible partygoers! Sonically, I wanted to mix danceable post-punk with Finnish rock, with a relaxed Keith Richards touch and somewhat meaningful lyrics of course,” Aleksi Kii comments.
The Varjokuvia album also features familiar names from the Finnish metal scene to break genre boundaries. Grave Pleasures bandmate Rainer “Raikku” Willman guest-stars on the album on drums, recorded by Niko Lehdontie (Oranssi Pazuzu). Grave Pleasures bassist Valtteri Arino also brings his recognizable drive to a few songs. Varjo, the album’s most beautiful offering, features beautiful string use by Kimmo Helén (Hexvessel) and grand piano playing by Ville Koivula (Mot Furu). The last tracks of the album are entirely Kiiskilä’s own instrumentation and take the listener to a dark, lonely room.
“I wanted to create the most beautiful and immediate rock album possible, one that gets under the skin and connects with the listener’s emotions. During the writing process, Varjokuvia was like a friend to me, to whom you could tell anything. That’s why the feeling is at the heart of the album. I also got a bunch of wonderful people on the album, with whom I’ve had the chance to collaborate over the years. Everyone stepped in with their own creativity. Cold shivers. If one word could describe this album, it would be connection”, Aleksi says.
Varjokuvia album track listing:
1. Paranirvana
2. Kummitustanssi
3. Avain
4. Varjo
5. Vain kannet siitä kirjasta mitä olin
6. Laulu jota kukaan ei laula
7. Sun ainoo ystävä
8. Pimeässä