Posted by Gentle and calming, Oslo-based singer-songwriter Siv Jakobsen’s ambient, folky tunes belong in an independent coming of age film, or at very least, a heartbreaking scene in Normal People. Poised with an unhinged rawness, Jakobsen’s sophomore album ‘A Temporary Soothing’ does just as the title says, acting a security blanket to offer shelter during those blue Sunday evenings or summer thunderstorms.
Still tethered to the melancholy and honeyed vocals of 2017’s LP ‘The Nordic Mellow’ and 2015’s debut EP ‘The Lingering,’ Jakobsen lets go of any frustration and anger that appeared in her previous tunes and instead opts for a bittersweet tale of anxiety and loneliness entwined with pieces of a lost relationship. An emotional confessional, Jakobsen’s newest release touches on all her fears and failures from inside the deepest nooks and crannies of her mind. Like candle’s flickering flame, the record goes from gentle and controlled to being bold and smoky depending on the wind—or in this case, Jakobsen and producer Chris Bond (Ben Howard)—take the music.
Cinematic at times and carefully orchestrated with folk elements at its core, Jakobsen’s vocals are haunting and hushed, like she’s singing a timeless lullaby. From the start, unfiltered lyrics sound like a journal entry, as the first words Jakobsen utters on the record are “I lie in bed at night / terrified of tomorrows light” in ‘Fear The Fear.’ The lyrics are strong, but the theatrical quality of the accompaniment as the track hits a crescendo truly packs a punch on the slow-burn tune. Waves of instrumentals appear throughout the album, dipping in and out softly, weaving together the tentative ballads. Tender acoustic guitar strumming weeps against Jakobsen’s lush vocals on ‘A Feeling Felt Or A Feeling Made’ as she explores imposter syndrome as she questions if she’s purposely isolating herself and creating friction for songwriting material until a band of brass and strings wash the thoughts away.
The feeling of being a phony occurs again on ‘Fraud, Failure,’ fueling self-sabotage and doubts as Jakobsen admits her insecurities as an artist, singing “Those precious lines I write / Were surely born as lies.” There’s a slight Celtic influence, as a chorus joins her in her chaotic inward spiral as she repeats “failure, failure, failure.” It sounds like the end, but it’s only just the beginning. The lulled vocals and perceptive lyrics might sound fragile, but Jakobsen is never broken or damaged.
While Jakobsen’s lyrics read like a diary, her music is controlled and refined but sometimes feels overthought. There are vibrant bursts of energy in her music, as she leans into a more pop groove on upbeat ‘Island’ and carefully considered drums take the lead on ‘From Morning Made To Evening Laid,’ but what lacks is one punchy, cathartic moment when Jakobsen lets it all out. There are hints of it throughout, but the record leaves you learning for one big moment to hold onto, but then again, the record is titled ‘A Temporary Soothing.’ That’s not to say there’s not a wide soundscape on the record, as there’s elements of traditional Celtic singing, some electro-folk, ambient interludes in the form of the title track, and strong usage of violins to swell beneath the emotive tunes.
The record has been long-awaited, but the three-year hiatus paid off. Jakobsen has evolved both lyrically and sonically as she took her time to recreate a nuanced record that tugs on listeners’ heartstrings, alleviating some pain, even if it’s just temporary.
7/10
Words: Caroline Edwards
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