Susanna

Susanna (a Norwegian songstress as prolific as she is celebrated) has released eight albums in the past eight years. She is back this summer with Wild Dog. Her career is polished with indie lustre, seeing as she has tapped the likes of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Jeremy Gara of Arcade Fire to play on her albums. The ten tracks that make up Wild Dog are lush with echoes and harmonies, punctuated by piano riffs and cut with Susanna's strong soprano. There isn't an upbeat moment to be had on the album ― it languishes at a sometimes painfully slow pace. While Susanna eschews frenetic energy she makes up for it with cymbal crescendos and her powerful wail. I can't help but make comparisons to Joni Mitchell when listening to Wild Dog. While Susanna has written a technically beautiful, sound album, she sounds like a musician who would only appeal to a specific set of tastes. If hippie songstresses, piercing sopranos and meandering song craftsmanship are your bag, this album is certainly for you.