Joik! (Say “yoyk”.) It’s a singing style of some inhabitants of the northernmost reaches of Sweden and Finland. It’s near chanting in this unadorned, rustic format where frequently the only accompaniment is the crackle of a fire. Wimme Saari here channels ancient songs of his Sami people as authentically as possible (minus the electronic ambiences of his other albums). His trained but cracked “old man” voice (he’s only in his mid-40s) is one factor in putting you mentally in his exotic, remote environment. The aforementioned crackling fire and the presence of some wordless voicings make the feel even more atavistic. Finally, though much of the lyrical matter is of snow, birch trees, and ice, which dominate the Sami’s environment, some of the songs exhibit humorous modern statements, such as the one that explains that it’s simple to skip school – you just have to not put your hand up when the bus comes: no hand up, no stopping the bus, no school, and back to the warmth of your Arctic tent! That’s track 11.
Tracks 9 and 10 are simple but direct statements on the value of words (over idle diversions) even though words often fail where singing is meant to convey difficult emotions. This reflects a deep system of belief in the power of the art form he’s practicing. Tracks 27 to 33 are hymns, thus less “Sami” though Wimme’s voice is still evocative of the vast north. Most tracks are well under 3 minutes so give a few a try.