Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10
Far beyond the shores of Norway and passed the Nordic Noir world of crime drama of Sweden is a land that very few people in Britain will ever probably ever set eyes upon, let alone take the chance to delve discretely into the world of its music. Finland’s output whether pop, folk or even its incredible rock/metal scene, it seems there is always a thousand fold of alleged hopefuls who would rather batter a much loved song in the hope of fulfilling a thirty second dream to meet a judge who will cast scorn on their ability than take in the hard work of another nation’s music.
The Finnish all female band Indica certainly fit the bill of being a group who deserve to have their music taken seriously. Whilst they haven’t troubled the U.K. playlists yet, if there is any sense in a world sometimes off kilter, their latest release Shine should see them make inroads into the conscious of many a symphonic Metal fan’s inbuilt music radar.
Shine does the five members, Johanna Salomaa, Heini Säisä , Sirkku Karvonen, Jenny Julia and Laura Häkkänen credit. Fronted by vocalist and violin player Jonsu (Johanna Salomma) the band combine noteworthy riffs and an elegant, very feminine but craftily virile beat with the part orchestral arrangements provided by the main violin and the occasional wonderful cello provided by the additional Boris Matchin. The result is cool, sweeping and just ever so slightly devastatingly good.
There is certainly a lot to enjoy from Shine, an album of good character and praiseworthy for a band taking the option of releasing the record in English to show that they can be seen as spreading their Finnish wings further. Mindful of the way that some songs don’t translate too well, the lyrics are poetic like, soaring, swooping and not to be taken for granted, they play well on songs such as A Mountain Made Of Stone, the attractive A Definite Maybe, Missing and War Child.
Ultimately it is the music that the band bring to the table that leaves you feeling sated and refreshed for having dipped your toe into this exciting band’s new album. They may have been going for quite a few years now but it is about time that the British public heard more from Indica.
Ian D. Hall