Helsinki-based Electronic Indie Jazz trio VIRTA shares a new single called “Sininen” (Eng: Blue) from their upcoming album “Horros,” out October 06, 2023 via Svart Records.
“Sininen” is a perfect representation of the universe the upcoming album comes from, melting together everything from intense electroacoustic pulses to more ethereal vibes, and even echoes of modern R&B.
”‘Sininen was one of the very first tracks that we started working on for the new album. The arrangement and production sums up well the sonic palette that we painted the record with. Adding vocals and new instruments to our band sound is the album’s central theme.”
Helsinki-based VIRTA is known for immersive live shows and the extraordinary Electroacoustic music they create. The way the band mixes Ambient Electronica into Nordic Jazz, Post-Rock and Psychedelia is something quite unique.
Stream the track through the YouTube player below:
VIRTA, founded in 2011 by childhood friends Erik Fräki, Antti Hevosmaa and Heikki Selamo has released two critically acclaimed albums “Tales from the Deep Waters” (Tourist Information, 2012) and “Hurmos” (Svart Records, 2016).
After being in a state of metamorphosis for the past seven years, the trio is about to release their hotly anticipated third album, “Horros.” With the upcoming album, VIRTA dives deeper into the twilight zone, reaching towards still uncharted soundscapes.
Pre-Order the album here: https://orcd.co/vemn5o4
With “Horros,” VIRTA build on and take into new terrain the questing, Jazz-tinged Electroacoustic adventures of their last album, December 2016’s “Hurmos,” and its predecessor, their November 2012 debut, “Tales From Deep Waters.” Still recognizable as who they were, the VIRTA of 2023 now delves further than ever before into their inner world to craft their most affecting, most atmospheric and most cinematic music to date.
Even so, “Horros“ does not need to be accompanied by images – it envelops so much that signposts are unnecessary, the music itself is the guide through this sound world.
The creators of this environment are Antti Hevosmaa (electronics, flugelhorn, trumpet, vocals), Erik Fräki (electronics, drums, percussion, vocals) and Heikki Selamo (bass, electronics, guitar, lap steel, vocals). Together as VIRTA – which translates from Finnish as electricity, energy or stream – the trio were acclaimed as a “cornerstone of Finnish experimental music” by Finnish daily newspaper, Savon Sanomat in 2016. ‘Horros’ will ensure this status becomes the case internationally. Beyond Finland, VIRTA already have dedicated listeners in Canada, France, Germany, Poland, the United States and the UK.
Reflecting on “Horros,” Antti says “We’ve always made music we want to listen to ourselves. We’ve asked what is the sound we want to listen to? We are digging deeper now, with new elements – more vocals. Lyrics too, which we haven’t done before.” Without sacrificing who they are, VIRTA now have a wider scope than ever.
Coming together on “Horros,” Antti, Erik and Heikki have fashioned an album with a flow, which, although not explicitly stated, has a narrative drive. “It is as if you are arriving on a strange planet,” explains Erik. “It is quite solitary at first. The opening track ‘Aelita’ feels like entering some kind of unfamiliar atmosphere which you come through to see a landscape. Then, with ‘Tunneli’, exploring begins. It’s quite chaotic, you don’t know where you are. With ‘Sola’, the landscape starts to open up a little. When the album’s second side is reached, the mood is warmer, you understand where you are.”
“Horros” is more than an album for VIRTA. It is also an expedition into fresh territory for Antti Hevosmaa, Erik Fräki and Heikki Selamo – creatively, musically and metaphorically. The spell it casts instantly captivates. Once this world is entered, it is not possible to depart.
Lineup:
Antti Hevosmaa / Electronics, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Vocals
Erik Fräki / Electronics, Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Heikki Selamo / Bass, Electronics, Guitar, Lap Steel, Vocals
