Over the course of eleven studio albums, Eivør has established herself as a formidable musical force, blending traditional Faroese folk music with electronic and experimental elements to create music that is both emotional and atmospheric. Coupled with her unique voice, which is ethereal, hauntingly beautiful and capable of remarkable power, she has forged a distinctive artistic identity that continues to influence and inspire.
I first became aware of Eivør, who hails from the Faroe Isles, when I reviewed her Live in Tórshavn album for TPA way back in 2019, and later her 2024 release Enn. That first album led me to purchase Slør in both original and English vocal versions, followed by Segl, and these releases convinced me that Eivør is a special artist who deserves to be widely heard.
So, what of this release, Tungl which translates as Moon? It continues the musical journey begun on Enn, expanding and refining many of the ideas explored there. Eivør has described the album as one that “… explores the ever-changing cycles of life – its songs move between moments of tenderness and heartache, love and loss, and the emotional tides that shape us”. Listening to this album there has never been a truer statement from an artist on their own work and it sums up this album perfectly. Themes of love, loss, resilience, self-belief and life’s recurring cycles run throughout the album are topics that most people can relate too. I noted a description of the album “as a guide through life’s darker moments, illuminating beauty and transformation”, as a quote that fits what these songs represent.
The album comprises ten tracks, seven sung in Eivør’s native Faroese and rather than creating a barrier it enhances the listening experience in my opinion. Opening track Og Mánin Græt (And the Moon Cried) immediately establishes the album’s mood. Deep and atmospheric, propelled by some great drum rhythms and with Eivør’s vocals centre stage, captivating and beautifully presented. The tempo increases on the following track Drekafljóð (Dragon Maiden), again driven by strong drum rhythms combined with electronic textures creating the perfect atmosphere as Eivør’s vocals. The song’s carefully judged build towards its climax leaves a truly lasting impression.
Throughout the album, the percussion provides an almost primal energy. The drums and rhythmic textures bring drive and intensity, perfectly complementing the album’s sweeping melodies and atmospheric arrangements. As ever, Eivør’s vocal range is astonishing, possessing an otherworldly quality that can sound fragile and haunting in one moment, then commanding and powerful the next.
Variety is another of the album’s strengths. One of the English-language tracks, Eon, is a wonderfully paced and crafted piano-led piece enriched by elegant string arrangements. This leads into Tann Tú Saknar (The One You Long For), built around a pulsating bass line and understated electronics which, combined with Eivør’s almost longing vocals, delivers one of the album’s highlights. Another highlight arrives with Fangað (Trapped), which features her sister Elinborg where their voices blend beautifully, whilst the reintroduction of throat singing adds another dimension into the mix.
What Tungl demonstrates, above all, is Eivør’s remarkable ability as a songwriter and composer, and why she should be regarded amongst the great female artists of our times, delivering a body of work which could be as influential as those created by Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Björk, to name just a few.
So, if you are not familiar with Eivør’s work this release could be a good place to start. A melodic, atmospheric and emotionally charged album which balances moments of pure beauty with an undercurrent of tension and menace. A difficult combination to achieve, yet Eivør makes it sound effortless. The multi-layered songs reveal themselves on repeated plays, making it a truly wonderful album, and one that I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to review.
TRACK LISTING
01. Og Mánin Græt (And The Moon Cried) (4:23)
02. Drekafljóð (Dragon Maiden) (4:10)
03. Verjugarðar (Walls) (4:24)
04. Spøkilsir (Revenents) (4:13)
05. Hinumegin (The Other Side) (3:53)
06. Healer (5:05)
07. Eon (3:59)
08. Tann Tú Saknar (The One You Long For) (3:39)
09. Fangað [feat Elinborg] (Trapped) (3:05)
10. Everyone But Me (5:12)
Total Time – 42:00
MUSICIANS
Eivør Pálsdóttir – Vocals, Various Instruments
~ With:
Elinborg Pálsdóttir – Vocals
Other musician details not available at time of review
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Country of Origin: Faroe Isles
Date of Release: 16th October 2026
