Uusikuu
Piknik
A Nordic August evening: everyone brings treats, and we enjoy the warm summer night in a cheerful circle. With a wild mix of musical morsels under the Northern Lights, Uusikuu, led by Finnish singer and composer Laura Ryhänen, invite us to join their sixth album 'Piknik.' This is about exuberant zest for life, infectious rhythms, deep emotions, passion, delight, romance, and drama. Finland has been named the happiest country in the world for the seventh time. But what is Finnish happiness, or Onni, all about? Cheerfulness, subtle humor, quirky anecdotes - but also stillness and peaceful moments. Uusikuu (New Moon) set out in 2006 with the ambitious goal of breathing new life into traditional Finnish tango. The sprightly world music quintet has nothing to do with the typically melancholic tango mood. This small orchestra, describing its style as "Vintage Sounds of Finland," pays a respectful homage to the traditional Finnish entertainment music of the 1930s to 1960s on their albums. With 'Piknik,' however, the group does not linger in nostalgia but ventures boldly into the fabulous 1970s and 1980s. And since Uusikuu are huge fans of the Eurovision Song Contest, references to the legendary competition are a must on this album as well. Four of the twelve album tracks are original compositions by Uusikuu, while the remaining songs feature a skillful mix of humorous humppas, soulful tangos, and iconic swing tunes.