The world first heard from Klara and Johanna Söderberg seven years ago when they covered a Fleet Foxes song on YouTube. Plenty of acts have sprung up on YouTube, but few have blossomed in the same way the sisters have—in their newest release, Stay Gold, they prove that they’re capable of thinking outside of the sad-sack folk box.
Produced with Bright Eyes’ Mike Mogis on Wichita Records, The Lion’s Roar was a showcase for First Aid Kit’s signature haunting, lilting melodies. Produced once again with Mogis but this time on Columbia Records, Stay Gold manages to keep the quality elements of their previous work while complicating it in the best possible way. They’ve maintained their beautifully solemn work in tracks like “Shattered & Hollow,” while the second-to-last track, “Heaven Knows,” is downright dance-y. For a Swedish duo, these women sure know how to make the rounds in the American folk-country tradition.
While it’s by no means a perfect record, the Söderbergs have what it takes to move toward joining the ranks of other Americana heavy weights. As they sing in the album’s title track, “there is only forward, no other way.” Looks like First Aid Kit’s doing it right.
Stay Gold