It’s a big day today! The newest Afenginn album in the world is out!
It’s called Movements I and is the first in a trilogy. Together, the three albums will form one long continuous piece of music, divided into five larger sections, or “movements” in the classical sense. Also, this music is composed and produced with the intention that it can be used for movement (even dancing, I guess), hence the title.
I grew up in a small town in Finland in the previous century. Back then, dancing was something you might do awkwardly, and not entirely sober, as a way to get in touch with the girls. It was full of self-awareness and discomfort. Growing older, I’ve stopped caring so much about what others think. Moving my body to rhythm in public doesn’t bother me as much anymore, although teenage-Kim still lives in there somewhere.
So I wanted to make music that I would enjoy moving to.
The album is loosely framed around the 5Rhythms dance practice (look it up if you’re curious, but I’ll share more about it soon). Each “movement” reflects a different state or mode. On this first album, we explore two: one for each side of the vinyl. One more feminine, circular, grounded, flowing... and one more masculine, angular, fiery, brassy…
It’s been six years since Klingra, and it feels both exciting and strangely surreal to release something new again. This music has been a long time coming and we’re still slowly discovering what it is, how it behaves live, and how we want to inhabit it.
Movements I is available on vinyl and streaming.
As well as on Bandcamp:
I truly hope it can find a place in your day, whether in your headphones while walking, commuting, or cooking… or blasted out during some obscure, sweaty dance session.
I’m very proud of this record, and full of gratitude for having the privilege to make music with the wonderful musicians in Afenginn, year after year.
And a big thank you to Heðin Ziska Davidsen, who produced the album and left a deep mark on the process.
Thanks for listening. I hope this music becomes part of your world in some small or significant way.
Let me know how it lands, and if it moves anything in you.
With love,
Kim