New to our blog, Minna Bolin is a unique artist who has captured our attention through her second album under the performing name DESERTSONGS, There Will Be Light.

By Graeme Smith

We are welcomed into the album by an ambient Prelude which then leads into the soft, soulful and stripped-back Night Time. Image-laden lyrics speak of comfort and a search for light. There’s a Joanna Newsom-esque quality to it all.

Berlin proves an early highlight. It’s a soaring yet understated moment rich with brass courtesy of saxophonist Elin Forkelid. Title track There Will Be Light delights too. It’s captivatingly meditative with lingering verses and poignant lyrics full of emotion.

Henrys Song is a beautiful lullaby while Faces is haunting and textured. Birds closes the album in enchanting fashion with a looping piano melody and passionate vocals.

The woman behind the project is musician, producer and film composer Minna Bolin. Bolin has released music under her own name as well as previous a album as DESERTSONGS. Alongside releasing music, she has composed film scores for short films in Sweden that have been shown at international festivals and won awards. The process of creating music for film inspired There Will Be Light.

I love DESERTSONGS’ flair for sonic structure and her ability to build emotion with her compositions. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for further releases from her.

There Will Be Light is out now, available to buy as a digital album on Bandcamp. You can give it a listen below.