UTU arrive on our blog with ten reflections on the theme of love, yet none of which are love songs.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Titta Toivanen

Love can come in many forms, and sometimes we mistake other things for it. This is the focus of the new album by UTU, who aren’t afraid to get dark in their take on the topic. In a recent Instagram post, UTU sent out thanks to, among others, “all the past lovers” which suggests that Love Collection: By the Ashes That Used to Be the Everlasting Fire, written by vocalist Petra Poutanen, is a personal story.

It’s a tale that gets off to an experimental start with the spoken word intro of Reality Beats All Dreams. It doesn’t hold back with its lyrics. “I hope that I’ll stop wishing you were dead” we hear on robotic repeat as delicate vocalisations soften the edges. I found it a captivating start.

The Worst Is Yet to Come introduces folk elements to the Avant Garde composition in a way reminiscent of Bjork. A brooding start gives way to a bombastic, cinematic middle and these surprise transitions keeps us guessing what will come next across the album.

It Must Have Been Love at First Hit introduces industrial electronic elements while In the Snow I Look Dead but I Just Pretend is a delicate, piano-led meditation. All the Love strikingly combines lightness and moodiness. Happy to be Sad is a punchy art pop moment. Waterfall brings some powerful dynamism. The Woman of My Dreams is severe and oddly affirmational. Money Into Love rises and falls in a beautifully cinematic number before Oh, Sorrow closes the album in lingering and emotional fashion.

UTU’s new album is a really special record. It gives us ten compositions that feel truly unique all while telling a raw and visceral story that is completely gripping. I’m so glad to have discovered it.

Love Collection was produced, recorded and mixed by Paavo Malmberg with some vocals recorded by Joona Outakoski. It was mastered by Alho Audio Mastering and is out now via Eclipse Music. You can give it a listen below.