Mikko Singh
Näin elämän Suuruuden
self-released
A lot of recordings get filed under the banner "dreampop," but the word is perfectly apt for this offering from Mikko Singh. It's a soft, shimmering collection of ambience-laced tunes that showcase Singh's impossibly fragile, high-pitched voice. His singing suits these wintery, ethereal compositions, which often sound like they're dancing with the snowflakes Tomita told us about years ago. Mikko has a good ear for melody and the blend of acoustic instrumentation and feathery electronica here is consistently pleasing, although it starts sounding a bit samey after awhile. There's also an innocent optimism at work throughout the disc, although the classic Nordic melancholy also pervades. It makes for an effective contrast. All in all, a most impressive debut.
- Kevin Renick