Artist : Auri

Album : II – Those We Don't Speak Of

Release Date : 03-09-2021

Added : 08-10-2021

The Finnish trio 'Johanna Kurkela'/'Tuomas Holopainen'/'Troy Donockley' had graced us with a beautiful album 'Auri' in 2018 and 2021 sees the release of its little brother 'II - Those We Don't Speak Of', the drummer and percussionist 'Kai Hahto' completing the line up for this second opus. We find the sweet vocals of 'Johanna Kurkela' in atmospheric melodies that take us on a beautiful journey with Nordic influences. The first track is a perfect example of this with its introduction with vocals that seem to come out of a wonderful dream, introducing a slow tempo on which Johanna, accompanied by choirs, bewitches us, and transports us completely. The various traditional instruments of 'Troy Donockley' give even more relief to these beautiful moments filled with a remarkable authenticity. To mention only the first part of the album, catchy melodies bathed in Celtic influences such as the very beautiful 'The Valley' (see video above) which may recall some of the melodic lines of 'Mike Oldfield' or the melancholic 'The Duty Of Dust' with its completely addictive mixed vocal harmonies or 'Pearl Diving' (see video here) which is more classic and close to an international pop that would not have disowned a band such as 'ABBA' or even 'Kiss The Mountain' and its restful muffled ambiance. As for the instrumental 'Light And Flood', it highlights traditional instruments and celestial choirs and we are not far from the ambiences of what 'Tuomas Holopainen' composed in the second CD of the last 'Nightwish', (review here).

In summary, the Finns of Auri' release a second album in the continuity of the first one which transports us into a relaxing world of well-being and delicacy, and which is to be savored quietly on the headphones to recharge your batteries after a hard day listening to all these tracks filled with poetry and serenity...

Line Up / Musicians

Johanna Kurkela (Vocal, Violin, Viola, Keybords), Tuomas Holopainen (Keybords), Troy Donockley (Guitar, Keybords, Bouzouki, Bagpipe, Low Whistles, Aerophone, Bodhran, Vocal, Keybords), Kai Hahto (Drums, Percussions)