Avant-garde post-rock
Danish four piece Svin (which is Danish for Pig) are self described as Post-rock avant-garde and certainly do fit this description- while melodic, the tracks on their debut record "Heimat" employ jazz drumming alongside heavy down-tuned rock guitars and mournful Horn which replaces the rich quality of bass on the album and in the band's words the "octave-processing of the Horn, mak[es] it a full-blown highly sustained bass-instrument". The treatment of the Horn means it is easy to mistake it for many other instruments throughout, they really do create an intriguing and off kilter world.
Album opener 'Cougar' is hugely effective; not just slightly melancholic but skin tinglingly, brow furrowingly sad and despite their post-rock leanings Svin have a sound all their own- never resorting to the tried and tested formulas but creating something much more fluid and organic in feel. The sound here is cinematic but strangely, creates an introspective atmosphere; mostly instrumental, occasionally punctuated by a scream perhaps, the mournful nature of the compositions pulls on your heartstrings but also creeps inside your head; there is a moment on 'Illilu' where one note is held, and held with silence all around and you find yourself holding your breath, it's so beautifully judged.
'Muskelhund' is a brilliant highlight- gently melodic at the start with sweet melodies hidden in layers of complex rhythms and horn that seems to have a life of its own, and with closer 'Kaere Mona' the album goes down kicking and screaming when the brass breaks down into free form screeches that threaten to puncture your ear drums; it feels both serious and playful. It is these moments where the jazz madness meets the melody that are the most striking and memorable; this is a record you can't forget and won't want to put down should you let it in.