There are staunch traditional artists, and then there are those who are unafraid to push the envelope and create something new out of the fabric of old. Värttinä is unquestionably dedicated to the latter cause, making some of the most striking music of any contemporary folk artist. After almost two decades of varying lineups, the Finnish outfit continues to excite and intrigue - each album somehow managing to be more ambitious than the one before. Ilmatar (named for a goddess of air) is no exception. A stunning tour de force, its breathtaking female vocals soar atop an ever-changing six-piece instrumental backdrop.

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