Release date: 26th February 2021
Mustan Kuun Lapset is one of those bands that doesn’t seem capable of putting out a bad release, and their new acoustic album KruunuKruunu sees the band take a softer, stripped-back approach, and features new material and reworked versions of older material – with both being incredible to listen to. It’s really refreshing to hear a band go against the grain and do something unlike their previous material.
With the title track serving more as an introductory track, setting the scene well before we are treated to an acoustic rendition of Peikonmieli from their 2017 Saatto album. The original was a very instrumentally-driven number, but with this one the inverse is true – the vocals are the driving force behind the track, giving the already-strong acoustic guitar melody more colour and depth. Meanwhile, the next track Matkalainen is the first full-length track we are treated to that is brand new, and it’s a soft and stunning work that definitely plays on Mustan Kuun Lapset’s strengths.
Following track Ikaros is the first real highlight of the album. The polar opposite to the original in-your-face and aggressively-delivered piece, it is really refreshing to hear such an incredible new take on an already-strong track. The emotion delivered over the four minute duration will give you goosebumps, and the chorus is such an earworm when performed in a purely melodic state.
For me, the strongest song of the album is by far the closing track La última playa del corazón. A seriously catchy song (I’ve found myself humming the chorus whilst not even listening to the album!), it’s one of those songs you’ll just want to keep revisiting and it’s got a fun Spanish vibe to it (featuring ukelele!) and ends with a full electrical section, bringing the already-stunning album to a triumphant close.
As a whole, Kruunu is a very enjoyable and rewarding album, giving a new spin to Mustan Kuun Lapset. This is an album not to be missed.
10/10
