First Aid Kit // The Big Black and the Blue

First Aid Kit are an interesting phenomenon. I first encounter the Swedish sister duo at a sold out Fanfarlo concert held at London’s Bush Hall last summer. Just six months later, their debut album ‘The Big Black and the Blue’ is facilitating a major rise in profile and some very well-earned mainstream recognition for these ladies. And the album is incredible. With emotional and sometimes whimsical subject matters explored and redefined, each song offers a country / folk feel with flair, depth, maturity and grace – and to think that the younger of this two-piece is still just sixteen years old. The obvious standout track on ‘The Big Black And The Blue’ has to be its first single, the beautiful and pained ‘Hard Believer’; it’s a tune that demonstrates all that is great about First Aid Kit – delectable lyrics, astoundingly strong vocals, and the general feel of something that bit different to anything else we’re hearing at the moment. While ‘Hard Believer’ is magnificent, however, it’s hardly misplaced on this album; here is a collection of musical gems which are thought-provoking and totally distinctive from beginning to end. This is an album full of creativity, delicacy and an outstanding acoustic lushness – First Aid Kit are definitely an act to watch out for in 2010.