A long time favourite Janne Laurila is getting ready to release a new full-length album in the spring of 2017. The first outtake, digital single Levylaulaja came out last Friday 3rd of February on Lumpeela julkaisut and it’s a good one, a damn good one. I’ve always loved his voice and he is also a lucky guy to have such a talented group of musicians around him. The arrangements on this one are top notch and lift an already really good song to a new level. Looking forward to hearing the new album in the spring.

On related news, there’s also at least one Janne Laurila plays Office Building concert coming up at Valoa Festival. Catch that if you can. Some my fondest live music memories are from the early 00s watching Janne Laurila play solo gigs at Vakiopaine under the Elvis clock. Both Office Building songs and selected covers from the likes of Vern Gosdin and Townes Van Zandt. Obviously To See Only Shadows is also one of my desert island discs for as long as I live. Not that I even need to take the disc with me, because the songs sort of became a part of who I am and I already carry them with me wherever I go.

Janne Laurila at Facebook

Koria Kitten Riot’s new album Songs of Hope and Science is finally coming out next Friday, January 27th, 2017 on VILD Music. Before setting a camp outside the record store, remember to listen to the lead single The Earth Will Spin Around that surfaced yesterday. I’ll get back to Koria Kitten Riot when the most likely awesome new album is out and available. Meanwhile here’s two versions of the new single.

Koria Kitten Riot Website

I planned to take the whole January off from blog duties, but it’s proving to be rather difficult because lovely people keep on releasing wonderful songs and albums. So what else can one do than at least shortly praise them here.

I’m still completely addicted to that Litku Klemetti solo I mentioned earlier in the week (especially the b-side of that record is fantastic). I’ve also begun listening to the new self-titled Hulda Huima & Hitaat Sekunnit album and it definitely looks like I will develop a similar addiction to this one. Hulda Huima is a Helsinki-based songwriter and together with the band Hitaat Sekunnit she has created a very impressive and captivating album. This beautiful thing came out on 13th of January on the always trustworthy Helmi Levyt.