FIRST AID KIT – DRUNKEN TREES EP

Scandanavian folklore has it that there is life in the trees – First Aid Kit have managed to bottle up some of that woodland goodness and are spreading its magic over here.

First Aid Kit appear to be middle-aged men trapped in the bodies of young girls. These Swedish sisters, aged 15 and 18, sing lyrics that suggest weariness and knowledge. Clickmusic have already met Johanna andKlara, and the pair confirm this juxtaposition, worrying about school and how their voices may sound posh to their friends, alongside loneliness, alienation and betrayal, as well as citing Gram Parsons and Billie Holiday as some of their favourite artists.
The pair are entering the UK at a receptive time for folk music: it’s no coincidence that the two first gained recognition due to their cover of Fleet Foxes‘ ‘Tiger Mountain Peasant Song’, and they have supported Peter, Bjorn and John. On stand-out track ‘Our Own Pretty Ways’ the depth of vocals, wisdom of the lyrics and stripped back instruments, that come only with knowing that less can be more, combine to create a perfect Sunday afternoon track.
‘Tangerine’ hits all the senses, physical and emotional. The wistful “he doesn’t love a girl who smells like tangerine” pulls the heart strings. ‘You’re Not Coming Home’ is two and a half minutes of eternal problems of love and life, masqued in deceptively optimistic guitar pop.‘Jagadamba’ manages to fuse together soulful singing with almost Bollywood repetition.
Production isn’t perfect, but this only adds to the rustic air and leaves the emotion and magic open to exposure. Scandanavian folklore has it that there is life in the trees – First Aid Kithave managed to bottle up some of that woodland goodness and are spreading its magic over here. 
The combination of insightful lyrics with playful melodies provide a good argument for the duo being noted for their talent to resonate with everyone, old or young, happy or sad, and not be noticed purely for their ages. As folk music, escapism and the natural world grow more and more important to listeners looking to shun the mainstream and manufactured. This wise beyond their years pair have the potential to be around until at least their 21st birthdays.
http://www.clickmusic.com/albums/article/First-Aid-Kit-Drunken-Trees-EP