Dutch Nordic folk artist Kati Rán released Sála, her first solo album after the dissolution of her former band, L.E.A.F. With 13 tracks, Sála (“soul”, “sea”) was conceived with the close collaboration of Finnish producer Jaani Peuhu.
The album features many renowned guest musicians, such as black metal vocalist and former Wardruna member, Gaahl, Icelandic female choir Umbra Ensemble, Norwegian jazz musician Karl Seglem, contrabassist Borgar Magnason (Björk, Brian Eno), Napalm Death’s Mitch Harris on vocals, as well as members of Pagan folk acts Völuspá, Gealdýr, Heilung and Theodor Bastard.
Kati Ran’s journey since Bloodbylgje
The opus started to take shape after the release five years ago of the 15-minutes long (which could even be longer, so wonderful it is) song, Bloodbylgje. The track set the tone of the album, inspired by oceanic themes, leading the listeners to a journey of soul retrieval and healing, themes that are often represented by the water element. Sála also gives voice to different feminine perspectives, drawing from Norse mythology’s nine daughters of the sea.
Recorded across Iceland, Finland, Norway, and her home country, The Netherlands, the album chronicles Kati’s transformative recording process and her deep connection to Nordic lore, while being a multilingual blend of Norwegian, Old Norse, Icelandic, and English ancient texts, historical reimaginings, and personal reflections.
Sála was released in vinyl, digipack-CD and digital formats via Svart Records.
