New music from Dania O. Tausen

Dania O. Tausen is a Faroese singer, songwriter, poet and preserver of the Faroese language, using her lyrical talent and stunning voice to create enduring sonic art in her mother tongue. In 2021 she made her debut with the album gonguteigatúnatos. However, this year, she returned with two singles in the build up to her most ambitious project yet, double-sided record titled ja/nei og restin av vikuni, which translates to ‘yes/no and the rest of the week’ in English.

Across the two halves of the album, Dania distils the ordinary aspects of life that lead us to ponder profound subjects such as absurdity, the interaction between nature and technology, unconsciousness, toxicity and making life-defining decision. Split into two parts, the divided structure allows Dania to conceptually explore contrasting themes of brightness and shadow with ‘the rest of the week’ offering a grey area in between in which the nuances subtle commonalities can be covered.

ja (pt. 1), was released in July and set the stage for the full album’s exploration of life’s positive aspects. Dania O. Tausen’s reflective lyrics and captivating alternative pop sound guide listeners through a journey spanning seven captivating tracks. The A side kicks off with “at siga ja er nei,” a delightful pop number featuring guest vocalist Ragnar Finsson. This song captures a laid-back vibe, driven by a softly grooving beat and accompanied by a colourful arrangement of warm instrumentation. Dania and Ragnar’s duet creates a unique and catchy pop sound that sets the tone for the whole release.

“Kann eg hava armin soleiðis her?” transports us to the sphere of dream pop where Dania’s enchanting vocals float gracefully over a shimmering blend of atmospheric textures and delicate instrumental tones, creating a captivating sonic experience. “við mána afturvið” showcases Dania’s collaboration with Cantabile Chorus on a delicate acoustic folk ballad with a gentle backing of soft guitar and piano tones as Dania weaves blissful melodic leads into the beautiful, stripped-back composition with subtle bluesy undertones.

The first half of the record closes with “og tað er bara tað,” featuring Son Of Fortune, demonstrating Dania’s emotive songwriting at its finest. The song is a moving ballad, with Dania and Son Of Fortune intertwining their elegant vocals over a graceful acoustic guitar backdrop.

On the ‘no’ side, the album dives into the darker and more complex aspects of life and by bringing unhealthy private thoughts into the light, Dania transforms them into valuable lessons and new beginnings. Opening the second half of the album, “eg eri ein mynd” offers a poignant introduction. Piquant instrumental plucks softly rattle as Dania’s airy vocals drape over the arrangement above. This lo-fi alternative pop outing draws listeners in with its atmospheric charm and wraps them in its sweet melodies and gentle rhythm.

“nú eru vit tvey fólk” opens with bright acoustic guitar plucks before Dania’s vocals enter to spin smoothly bouncing melodies. Elegant violin tones and laid-back percussion complete the picture, forming a gorgeously intimate indie folk sound. The album closes with the uptempo indie jam “eg vil frysta løtuna,” once again featuring Ragnar Finsson. Here, Ragnar adds his rich vocal leads with Dania’s to an upbeat track brimming with instantly catchy hooks. Lively drums and slick, lightly crunching guitars create a rousing and memorable finale to Dania O. Tausen’s epic release.

Listen to ja/nei below