Album Review: Pimeässä by Violeta Päivänkakkara
Released in 2012, Pimeässä is a hauntingly beautiful album that straddles the line between folk traditions and experimental soundscapes. With its roots firmly planted in genres like Folk, World, Country, and Electronic music—and styles dipping into Ambient and Experimental—this record feels like an auditory journey through shadowy forests and moonlit plains. It’s not just an album; it’s more like flipping through someone’s dream journal.
The project was born out of collaboration between labels elementperspective (Japan) and La Gramola Netlabel (Spain), giving it a truly global feel. Credit for the evocative artwork goes to Marlaja Virta, whose visuals perfectly complement Violeta Päivänkakkara’s ethereal compositions. And let’s not forget the heart of this release: Violeta herself, who wrote and performed all the tracks with a delicate yet daring touch.
Now, onto the music. The tracklist includes gems like "Yksisarvisia," "Yksi Yö," "Minä Myös," "Kuu On Päivänkakkara," and "Sya." While every song has its own charm, I found myself looping two tracks over and over again: "Yksi Yö" and "Kuu On Päivänkakkara."
"Yksi Yö" hits hard right from the start—it's moody but somehow comforting, like sitting alone under a starless sky. The blend of acoustic instrumentation and subtle electronic textures creates this hypnotic pull you can’t ignore. There’s something about the way the melody lingers—it doesn’t demand your attention so much as it quietly insists on staying with you long after the track ends.
Then there’s "Kuu On Päivänkakkara," which might be my favorite cut on the album. Translating roughly to “The Moon Is A Pancake,” the title alone made me chuckle before pressing play. But don’t let the whimsical name fool ya—this track is anything but playful. It builds slowly, layering drones and field recordings until you’re fully immersed in its otherworldly vibe. By the halfway mark, it feels less like listening to music and more like floating in space while someone whispers secrets into your ear.
What really sticks with me about Pimeässä is how effortlessly it blends intimacy and experimentation. You can tell Violeta isn’t afraid to take risks here—whether it’s weaving unconventional sounds into her arrangements or letting silence speak louder than notes at times. It’s raw, unpolished even, but that’s exactly what makes it authentic.
In a world where most albums scream for attention, Pimeässä whispers instead—and somehow, that whisper echoes louder than any shout ever could. If you’re looking for background noise, skip this one. But if you want music that invites you to stop, listen, and maybe even get lost for a bit, give it a spin.
Oh, and one last thing—you know what’s wild? Despite being released over a decade ago, this album still feels ahead of its time. Maybe Violeta Päivänkakkara wasn’t just making music back then… maybe she was predicting the future. Or maybe she just knew how to craft timeless magic. Either way, hats off to her.
