Cisser Mæhl - Innemuseum LP

Cisser Mæhl - Innemuseum LP (Sonic Pieces/Germany)

Listening Notes: An orchestra pit containing: A young Danish composer's debut written alfresco in Norway, a librarian approved volume, fingertips brushing the scales of a pinecone, an oar serenading the water's skin, children at play, skinny dipping chamber musicians, Verspertine's glass music box, the yellows, orange, and reds of a sunshine on closed eyelids, deceptively strong winds, snowcapped mountains mirroring pointed timber rooftops, and a fjord's deepest secret released to the breeze.

Mood: Amplified solitude

They Say:

Innemuseum is the debut album by Danish composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Cisser Mæhl. The 10 fragile compositions for vocals, sparse electronics and a myriad of instrumentation illuminate a hushed charm unlike few other Sonic Pieces releases to date.

The album sparked off while Cisser was working in a mountain lodge in mid Norway during summer 2019. On her spare time she would find herself recording mountains, rivers, stones, plants and animals in the beautiful scenery. After moving to Oslo shortly after, she rented a studio to further work on her own music, songs and sound processing. Through some friends she met Norwegian artist Jenny Hval who became an inspiration as she started taking solo classes with her. Jenny then pushed to contact producer Lasse Marhaug to work together. This became the last piece of the puzzle for Innemuseum to come to fruition as Lasse ended up putting the final touches on the album. When Cisser returned to Copenhagen after 7 months in Oslo, the album was finished. The title “Innemuseum” refers to both the dark months in Oslo and the retraction towards the inner self. An inner museum - music from within, both as a person and as in physical places.

This is undeniably a very personal record that sounds like the musical embodiment of Cisser herself. She sings in Danish in a close-miked way like she's sitting right next to you, all while gentle rhythms and soft strings together create a sort of bright, minimal chamber music with hints of pop sensibility. It almost feels like a Scandinavian reflection of Colleen's work in her more quiet, vocal periods. A music box of weightless compositions for the conscious mind.