Carla Aarke - “through”
Photo provided by Carla Aarke
Helsinki-based singer-songwriter Carla Aakre arrives on our blog with the delightfully dark sounds of “through,” a glimpse into her forthcoming LP, Things I Forgot to Tell You.
Across the top of a remarkably intimate soundscape, the raw chords of a piano mark the top of each bar, with a swelling sense of ambience brought forth by some synthy strings. Propelling the song forward is a gentle, barebones beat, and though the rhythm is moderately paced, “through” still sounds as though it is being performed live in your living room.
And although this remarkably chill and melancholic instrumental is well worth the price of admission, it is ultimately Aarke’s vocal performance that drops our jaws to the floor. The universe has granted her access to an authentic and nostalgic manner of delivering breathy lines of lyrics, oftentimes as though the listener is the only person she trusts with her secrets.
As “through” progresses, some deep bass emerges to round out the arrangement, with midpoint bringing an additional layer of heavenly vocals to expand the reach of the sonic landscape. The track is truly a gift for your ears and we gladly welcome it as part of the soundtrack to our daily bouts of essential introspection.
“through” was recorded in Aarke’s Helsinki studio flat and her family’s cottage in southern Finland. The song is “infused with the warmth of these intimate spaces, creating an inviting and deeply personal listening experience. Collaborating with producer and mixer Roni Ylhäinen, Aakre embraced analog sounds, laying down many of the track’s final takes on an 8-track multitracker. Her sister, Milla Käyhty, added the finishing touches with intricate string and horn arrangements, rounding out the song’s expressive soundscape.”