Album Review: Two Thousand and Fourteen

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Wellingtonian musician, Finn Johansson proves with his album Two Thousand and Fourteen, that he is one talented musician. Created in 2014 (funnily enough), Johansson spent last year travelling Europe, living on boats, farms and couches and playing to living rooms, bars and theatres. Exploring Europe accompanied with his portable studio, he collaborated with other talented musicians who he met along the way.  

I really appreciated how some of the songs in the album didn’t comply to the typical mainstream song structure. For example, one of my favourite songs on the album Gregor Samsa had only six words that made up the almost two minute song, them being; my, brain, is, an, idiot, now. A song with beautiful guitar strumming and harmonized vocals it left me giggling but also with questions. Them being; does this song have any serious meaning? Is it meant to be humorous? What was the inspiration for this song? What event took place that made Johansson write a song about how idiotic his brain was? Why use only six words? The list could go on, but I will save you from the series of questions.

Another song that stuck out for me was Ramadan Blues. With it’s unusual introduction, it definitely struck a chord with me and was one I listened to multiple times. Johansson is a big fan of fasting and this song is his surreal ode to Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims as the month of fasting.

One of my other favourite songs was coincidentally titled Farce and was beautifully constructed. Emotive, it was a song that swept you up to a world of melancholy.

This album is full of gems. Songs that will make you smile, laugh and bring a tear to your eye. This is an album that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.