Album Review/ Alt Folk : Tonje Gravningsmyhr

Tonje Gravningsmyhr is a Norwegian singer-songwriter who brings a lot of whimsy and lore to her sonic craft. The artist explores the nuances of the human experience, building it with gentle moments of acoustics, expressive vocals and literary lyrics. Influenced by artists like Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, and Anne Grete Preus, the artist has developed a gift for storytelling and world building. Listening to her music is like falling into wonderland. The depth of the emotion and the forged layers of composition have such a compelling effect on the listener. Her latest release is the ‘Maze’ album, an eleven track collection that tells introspective tales. 

The title track ‘Maze’, opens the album, setting the style and pace for the rest of it. With luminous acoustics, and melodies that blend into the grooves and the soundscape, the song feels minimalistic, yet immersive. Tonje’s vocals have a pop of color, a freshness as it floats with whimsy and tale. There are deep, intimate moments, confessional and vulnerable. They grow into a vivid human experience that you can relate to. 

For the most part, it is a reflective song made feel-good and wholesome. We see soft country twines that lightens the theme and the atmosphere. In tracks like ‘A Sunny Day’ and ‘Catching Your Fire’, you’ll see the blend of these moments. The uplifting rhythm combined with warm acoustics and expressive vocals. 

In tracks like ‘Okay’, ‘Normal Guy’ and ‘Running’, the artist strips the soundscapes even more. With bare acoustics and a deep folk ethos, the feel of these tracks are so cozy and nostalgic. Taking you to artists like Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell. It’s personal, it makes you feel like part of the inner circle. The acoustics are simple but they’re presented with a depth that charges the thematic air of the song. 

There are a few tracks that have an ethereal plane or mood infused in them. Notes that take you to a surreal space. You’ll see this in a few songs above. One notable track like this is ‘Tell Me’. The track flows slowly, forms like it has all the time in the world. The artist hovers and lingers in each expression and builds the song momentously. As you listen, you leave a part of yourself in every second because that’s how the track is. It makes you live in each moment. ‘Wings of a Dove’ is also similar. It concludes the album on a pure, sacred and serenely beautiful note. The soundscape is dim and cozy like a rainy day. And within that, the vocals evoke an ethereal white imagery or a dove. It feels unreal. It is transporting. It is pristine. Listen Now! 

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The album is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music! 

You can listen to ‘Maze’ by Tonje Gravningsmyhr here -