The gloomy weather outside dictates its own rules: you crave a rhythm that doesn’t clash with the grey sky but softly complements its melancholy. Today, I received a release that perfectly fits this mood, yet carries far more weight than just an “atmospheric sound.” This is “Tapio,” a collaboration between Amsterdam-based artist Van Sur Les and Finnish vocalist Emmi Kuittinen.
The track is the opening piece of a larger audiovisual project called Ingrian Tape, dedicated to the Izhorian (Ingrian) language—a Finno-Ugric tongue with only about a hundred remaining speakers today. The author, searching for his roots near the Gulf of Finland, discovered a paradox: while archives hold over 15,000 traditional songs, the living language itself has almost vanished. “Tapio” is an attempt to create a new “tape of memory,” where folklore resonates through modern electronic soundscapes.
At the heart of the track lies a very distinct, “wooden” percussion. It’s a dry, crisp sound reminiscent of bamboo sticks or ritualistic rhythms deep within a forest. This approach to the rhythm section brings to mind the works of Ben Böhmer or Jan Blomqvist, where every beat feels organic and three-dimensional. The melody is built around Emmi Kuittinen’s vocals, which essentially call upon the forest to “hum and ring” along with her. Simple electric piano lines and a multitude of short synth effects create the illusion of a misty Nordic forest.
I chose this release not only for its hypnotic sound. “Tapio” performs a vital social function—it pulls a disappearing culture out of oblivion and makes it relatable to a contemporary audience. It isn’t a museum piece; it’s a living, cinematic story. The track is perfect for silent contemplation during the rain, helping you focus inward while Van Sur Les guides you through the trails of memory. It’s a journey into a symbolic forest where every sound is an echo of someone’s forgotten history.
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