Blómi (transl.To Bloom) is the sixth studio album by Norwegian singer-songwriter Susanne Sundfør. It was released on 28 April 2023, by Bella Union. Sundfør dedicated the album to her family, particularly to her daughter and her grandfather, theologian and linguist Kjell Aartun. The album was supported by two singles: "Alyosha" and "Leikara Ljóð", both released in March 2023.

Blómi
A vintage-styled photograph of a man and a girl looking at the camera.
Studio album by
Released28 April 2023 (2023-04-28)
Genre
Length45:56
LabelBella Union
ProducerJørgen Træen
Susanne Sundfør chronology
Music for People in Trouble
(2017)
Blómi
(2023)
Singles from Blómi
  1. "Alyosha"
    Released: 9 March 2023
  2. "Leikara Ljóð"
    Released: 22 March 2023
  3. "Blómi"
    Released: 11 October 2023

Background and release

edit

In an August 2018 interview, Sundfør revealed that she started the writing for the record; she said she was "see[ing] a lot of red" but clarified that it was not about apocalypse. She also stated that her upcoming sixth studio album would continue the sound developed on her fifth album Music for People in Trouble, in which she returned to her roots as a folk singer-songwriter.[2][3]

The album's title comes from the Old Norse word blómi, which translates "to bloom". Alongside album's announcement, the songs "Alyosha" and "Leikara Ljóð" were released as a double single on 28 February 2023.[4] The former was released as a single on 9 March, while the latter on 22 March.[5][6]

Critical reception

edit
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic88/100[7]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [8]
The Arts Desk     [9]
The Guardian     [10]
Slant Magazine     [1]

Writing for AllMusic, Timothy Monger claimed that, "Despite its arcane references and philosophical nature, Blómi remains approachable and is often quite moving. That Sundfør continues to make such consistently challenging music and be justly rewarded for it is its own small miracle, and with Blómi she reaches yet another career high."[8]

Track listing

edit

All tracks are written by Susanne Sundfør except "Leikara Ljóð", written by Sundfør and Jørgen Træen. All tracks are produced by Træen

Blómi track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Orð Vǫlu"3:47
2."Ashera's Song"3:44
3."Blómi"4:59
4."Rūnā"4:46
5."Fare Thee Well"4:23
6."Leikara Ljóð"6:47
7."Alyosha"5:31
8."Ṣānnu Yārru Lī"5:44
9."Náttsǫngr"3:49
10."Orð Hjartans"2:26
Total length:45:56

Charts

edit
Chart performance for Blómi
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[11] 2
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[12] 31
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[13] 31

Release history

edit
Release dates and formats for Blómi
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 28 April 2023 Bella Union [14]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Mason, Eric (24 April 2023). "Susanne Sundfør Blómi Review: A Spacious, Ambient Folk Meditation on Love". Retrieved 28 April 2023. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  2. ^ Hann, Michael (17 August 2018). "Singer-songwriter Susanne Sundfor: 'I'm tired of the apocalypse'". Financial Times. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  3. ^ Rettig, James (8 September 2017). "Stream Susanne Sundfør Music For People In Trouble". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  4. ^ Qureshi, Arusa (28 February 2023). "Susanne Sundfør shares two songs and announces new album 'blómi'". NME. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Alyosha by Susanne Sundfør on Apple Music". Apple Music. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Leikara Ljóð (Edit) by Susanne Sundfør on Apple Music". Apple Music. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Reviews for Blómi by Susanne Sundfør". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  8. ^ a b Monger, Timothy (28 April 2023). "Blómi – Susanne Sundfør". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  9. ^ Tyler, Kieron (24 April 2023). "Album: Susanne Sundfør – Blómi". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  10. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (28 April 2023). "Susanne Sundfør: Blómi review – timelessly classic songwriting". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Album 2023 uke 18". VG-lista. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  14. ^ "Blómi by Susanne Sundfør on Apple Music". Apple Music. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.