Astrid Williamson

June 8, 2009 marked the release of the fourth solo album by Brighton-based cult singer songwriter Astrid Williamson. Here Come the Vikings is an electrified jolt. A compelling and mercurial collection of tracks, that veer across abrasive rock, pop, torch song and soul.

Previously in respected indie trio Goya Dress, her first group released 3 striking EPs, Bedroom Cinema, Ruby and Glorious before their lone LP, Rooms, which was produced by John Cale. Her subsequent solo outings Boy For You, Astrid Williamson, and Day of the Lone Wolf are sparkling gems (thanks in part to Boy For You producer/engineer Malcolm Burn, whose credits include Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Peter Gabriel, and U2).

Here Come The Vikings is Astrid’s most aggressively gorgeous record to date. Hailing from the remote Shetland Islands, she’s been pegged as a folkie on her last couple of efforts, but that disregards both her sprawling versatility as an artist and her previous inclinations to rock to ecstatic, exhilarating heights.

It’s worth noting that the muscularity of Here Come The Vikings is due to Astrid gigging with her current band for the past few years, and the addition of new guitarist, Steven Parker. The veterans are Richard Yale on bass, Christian Parsons on drums and Mark Treffel on keyboards. There are also appearances by Nick Powell from Oskar, Belle and Sebastian cellist Sarah Wilson, while trumpeter Guy Barker adds a touch of old school pedigree, having played with Frank Sinatra and Nile Rogers.

As a vocalist, Astrid has collaborated with the likes of Electronic, Arthur Baker, This Mortal Coil/Hope Blister originator Ivo Watts-Russell and European luminary Stephan Eicher, plus arranging and producing the music for British comedian Robert Newman’s recent History Of The World Backwards BBC TV series. Running her own label, Incarnation (via One Little Indian) she has released electronica album Air Conditioning by Oskar.

In the studio Astrid writes, produces and arranges everything she records. A multi-instrumentalist and classically trained pianist, you’d never know it when she launches a blast of scrappy, post-punk guitar.

Here Come the Vikings is a bold, self-assured effort resplendent in detailed artful arrangements exploring the mysteries of faith, gender dynamics, and physical love. Even without the electric component, the music remains vivid and full of emotion.