The Pagan Music List 20
The PAGAN MUSIC LIST is an attempt to create a comprehensive list of Pagan, Heathen, Esoteric, Animist, and related music that we listen to and love. We include embedded YouTube, Soundcloud, or Bandcamp links when possible for each artist.
Previous collections in this series have been archived here, and new collections of reviews will be posted monthly (supporters get early access to new collections—find out more here).
We also provide a constantly updated index of artists that we have reviewed by name and genre.
And if you are a Spotify listener, you can click on the embedded player to listen to the full updated playlist!
Collection 20
KAUNAN, ASYNJ, SONGLEIKER
Kaunan
Nordic Folk
Website https://kaunan.eu/ or https://kaunan.bandcamp.com/
Recommended Album: Forn
Kaunan is one several names for the Nordic rune ᚴ (other names include Kaun and the more well-known Kenaz). It’s also the name of this Nordic band partially consisting of FAUN’s lead singer and musician, Oliver S. Tyr (though he primarily plays music instead of singing in this project).
All three members are particularly good musicians, and so each song stands alone as an excellent display of their talents. Additional guest musicians (particularly vocalists) round out their songs quite well, including Einar Selvik (of Wardruna) and Maria Franz (Heilung).
The latter two can be heard on Kaunan’s track, Vallåt. This beautiful song is about two lovers who’ve hidden their child in the forest to conceal it against their families. They care for it secretly, and call to each other in “herding songs” to let the other know the child is safe. Part of the lyrics translated into English:
I carve healing runes,
I carve protection runes,
once against the elves,
twice against the trolls,
thrice against the frost giants
Tulleri, lull
Is he still alive?
Far, far away in the forest
Why yes, he is
Another great song of theirs is Dansen Ungdom (youth dance):
ASYNJE
Electro-Folk (Nordic)
Website: (none Found)
Recommended Album: Galdr
Asynje is a Danish electronic-folk band similar in vein to more popular bands such as Garmarna and Valravn. Though technically around since the early 2000’s, they never released full-length albums nor did large performances until 2011. The next year the band became a country-wide success due to an invitation to perform for a royal visit to the Danish city of Vordingbord.
Though part of the larger Nordic electro-folk scene, their music is much mellower and contemplative. Their most popular track is Vindr (“crooked”):
I find their song Sorte Ravne (“black ravens”) particularly beautiful:
SONGLEIKER
Nordic Folk
Website: https://songleikr.bandcamp.com/album/godtfolk
Recommended Album: Godtfolk
Songleiker (roughly translates as “song game”) is a very sweet band, with songs that feel kind, airy, and a bit joyful. This may be because of their very minimal musical style backing up their clear vocals. Or it may be that the band is one of the alter-egos of the much more popular (and darker) band Heilung, a fact I didn’t realise until sitting down to write this review.
If you’re familiar with Heilung, you’ll understand why I didn’t guess the relationship once you hear Songleiker’s music. For instance, my favorite song of theirs, Jenta ho gjekk seg (“the girl she went walking”):
Also particularly beautiful is their rendition of Vinda (a traditional lullaby also performed by many other bands, most famously by Katie Ran.)