Almost exactly two years after the release of their last album, Norwegian Prog Rockers Jordsjø are back with their third full-length. Titled ‘Pastoralia’, the album is a must for fans of Scandinavian prog, following, as it does, the tradition of some of the last centuries best Nordic rock by melding Progressive rock with interesting melodies, and giving the whole a Folk-inspired twist.

As a prelude to its release, Jordsjø has chosen to debut ‘Skumring i Karesuando’,  the second track from ‘Pastoralia’:

“Skumring i Karesuando is a little glimpse into Jordsjø and Actionfredags mini “Terra Borealis Tour”, where we played in Trondheim, Umeå and Karlsøy in Troms. A slightly scruffy caravan slowly and steadily marched through desolate and majestic landscapes. The song is split into four parts, called Ferd, Syner, Ankomst and Hjem.”

Well known in the flourishing Oslo Prog scene, and inspired by European 20th century classical and jazz music, Jordsjø‘s duo is comprised of multi-instrumentalist Håkon Oftung (Tusmørke, Black Magic) and drummer Kristian Frøland.

With ‘Pastoralis’, the band has produced an album that is a musical journey that travels from minimalist mellotron passages to a full-on rock tempest and sees the Jordsjø moving further into jazzy, progressive,  musical landscapes.

‘Pastoralia’ was recorded and produced in its entirety by Jordsjø between March and November 2020, in the basement of Bjørnerød Gård in Våler, Østfold. Thematically, the album is based on dreams, a longing for freedom, and the fictional place ‘Pastoralia’ – where every day is like tropical nights in Northern Norway, where the forest people dance around campfires.

Jordsjø are joined on ‘Pastoralia’ by a number of guests including Ola Mile Bruland (Actionfredag), Håkon Knutzen, Vilde Mortensen Storesund, Mats Lemjan, Christian Meaas Svendsen and Åsa Ree (Meer, Tusmørke, Wobbler).

With artwork by Sindre Foss Skancke, the album is set for release on Karisma Records on the 7th May, ‘Pastoralia’ will be available on CD, digital, and black vinyl formats as well as in a blue vinyl version which will be limited to 600 copies. The album can be pre-ordered right here.

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