The forthcoming and fifth album from Wardruna, Kvitravn, will be released on June 5. The tracklisting has now been revealed.
Frontman and mastermind behind this incredible music, Einar Selvik has some more thoughts on the poetry behind the albums lyrics.
“The power of words, poetry and abstract thinking as well as the ability to master them in various forms was highly regarded in the oral societies of the past. It is a trait that we feel should not be forgotten. Our lyrics are therefore an important layer to the music. Whether the given song is about traditions, spirituality, philosophy or other esoteric subjects, there should always be a potential of learning something.
Knowledge, yet knowledge that is not served as overly explained truths, but rather in abstract images and hints that evokes the listener to seek their own understanding – much like the way Old Norse poetry deals with esoteric matters. So, for those who want to search deeper into our songs, the upcoming album will contain complete lyrics along with English translations. When revealing the track-list, it also makes sense to show the translations of the titles, so one potentially gets a better idea of the album´s content.
“Regarding topics from the album I guess that even though it deals with some pretty obscure and esoteric subjects I would say that as an overall the album subtly promote the value of returning to, or at least approaching an animistic world view and the positive effects of again seeing nature as something sacred that we are part of – that divinity is found in everything around us and not in halls up in the clouds.
The wolf song Grá is the most direct and obvious example of adressing contemporary issues – in this case reflecting on how our relation to wolves and predators in general has developed through time. Like I said in the quote on the video it adresses the cost and sometimes inconvinient responsibilities of being part of and not above nature.
The song Skugge (Shadow) is about a conversation between man and his/her shadow. It questions our modern western idea that knowledge(and confirmation) is somthing predominantly aquired externally instead of internally.
This also relates to the song Munin: Odin has two ravens that are Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory). According to myth they roam the world every day and Odin express his fear that Hugin wont return but even more so the fears for Munin to be lost. But why? It is impossible to think without memory. Man has a consciousness which always bears the past within it: we think and speak with historic references. Our life-world is historic in all of its being. We live in a culture of memory, because man is a being who carries his past within. What is culture if not memory, understood as both individual and collective? Memory is not simply instrumental, but something which is a fundamental condition for culture. ”
Kvitravn musically continues where the Runaljod trilogy left off, yet it marks a distinct evolution in Wardruna’s unique sound. In a rich musical tapestry, Wardruna use a broad selection of both traditional and historical instruments such as Kravik-lyre, Trossingen-lyre, Taglharpa, Sootharp, Langeleik, Crwth, Goat- horn, Lur, Bronze-lur, flute, Moraharpa, and the record also features guest appearances by a small group of prominent traditional singers, spearheaded by Kirsten Bråten Berg, one of the most important custodians of Norwegian traditional song. Throughout eleven songs, Kvitravn discusses Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, shadows, nature and animism, the wisdom and meanings of certain myths, various Norse spiritual concepts, and the relation between sage and songs.
The masterful Norwegian storytellers shall release their brand new album Kvitravn in the following formats on June 5.
CD Jewelcase with slipcase and 28-pages booklet
Black 2×12″ 180 gr. LP, gatefold, 28-pages booklet
Pre orders available now
nervegas.com.au/wardruna
