Liminality introduces a promising new songwriting talent in Minru

The debut album by Minru (AKA Swedish but Berlin-based musician Caroline Blomqvist), the songs on Liminality were inspired by coming to terms with bereavement. The title is a word used by Carl Jung to describe the psychological process of transitioning, of becoming new or amended, and more than one song refers to new beginnings. The hushed, simultaneously troubled and hopeful folk/indie-rock hybrid songs reflect the uncertainties of starting anew and moving forward: there is a sense of low-lit late night reflection throughout.

It doesn’t make for the most immediate of listens. During its less distinguished points, Liminality dabbles with presenting a musical equivalent of the Nordic concept of ‘hygge’: as comforting as a log fire after day out in the snow, but forgotten before the fire runs out. Keep at it, however, and alluring depths soon emerge, as the subtle pull of both the deceptively simple songs and low-key yet richly detailed arrangements gradually increases.

The hypnotic minimalist acoustic beauty of “Light End” and “Metamorphose” brings to mind the intimately uncluttered, less sweet than it seems directness of early Iron and Wine or Bon Iver, while thudding small-band slow-burn of “In Between” simmers on a low heat like classic Low. Even better comes at the end of the album, as the soaring second half of “Into The Well” and gently majestic highpoint “Will I Ever Find” find Blomqvist introduce a degree of turbulence and noise to the proceedings.

‘’With the weight of the world we go down and drown’’, Blomqvist sings on “Into The Well”. Liminality offers the kind of balm that will make the troubles of the world evaporate, if only for its duration.