40. Årabrot - "Of Darkness And Light"

Deliciously decadent post-punk from Norway. There is an enormous amount of world-building going on here as they construct a gothic other-world that borrows back influences from across the pound. They skilfully, and in a playful manner, combine Nordic and American folklores to create something that feels thoroughly timeless and at a distinct right angle to ordinary music.  

Kjetil Nernes is a consummate storyteller and the charm of “Of Darkness and Light” is that it is a collection of quirky tales that exists in some nether world that is neither dream nor reality. It is charming and exuberant but has enough bite to stop it being sickly or over-sweet.