Review, Poems, Hildur Höglind

Those who follow my blog are aware that I’ve been writing Poetry for nearly 32 years now.  I believe in another life I was Poetry. When Hildur Höglind approached me about writing a review for her new EP I could not say no – regardless of busy how life was.  First off because I love Hildur’s voice, she commands such an elegance & poise via her tones and the second reason is that it’s heavily steeped Poetry from other Poets/Writers including herself.  Hildur is the one who is responsible for all the music arrangements and ideal interpretation of each song. 

First off, that is a pretty gutsy thing to do – take another’s lyrics/poem and manipulate it to your will. Your personal voice attached to the lyrics of another, affords a profound symbiotic relationship between the original lyrics/poem and the voice that brings to it. Let me introduce you to the individual songs that make Poems: On Monsieur’s Departure by Queen Elizabeth I, second we have Do Not Go Gentle by Dylan Thomas, third is Spiders by Hildur, fourth is Alone (From Childhoods Hour) by Edgar Allan Poe & lastly The Fault In Our Stars also by Hildur.  

This EP takes us on a journey, I would recommend listening to this song if you have something to think about that is weighing heavy on you.  It’s immensely soothing and will leave your mind to wander amidst all the notes and vocals.  I quite enjoyed all the songs on the EP but if I am to be honest, Do Not Go Gentle, The Fault in The Stars & Spiders are my three favourites.  For one, I love Dylan Thomas and Hildur’s interpretation of this song left me feeling breathless.  Especially when Hildur sings “do not go gentle into that dark night…. Rage, rage, against of the dying of the light.” It’s sung with such conviction and passion. I’ve heard both conviction & passion in Hildur’s voice before but this time it was different –it was a desperate plea for someone to literally “rage, rage, against the dying of the light…” I could feel the power not only behind her vocal control but also the sultry sound that graced this beautiful musical composition.  It’s almost as if she is speaking and signing at the same time, you would have to listen to it to know what I mean.  The way the notes linger, and her pauses are nothing short of brilliance.

Now The Fault In Our Stars, I saw the movie sometime last year and cried like a baby.  The way that it ended through everyone that I know into an endless loop of sorrow.  Hildur captured the innocence of youth throughout her song The Fault In Our Stars.  There’s nothing that I can say about this song to me it is close to perfection.  The themes throughout the movie is clearly exhibited through the lyrics never mind the youthful and playful lyrics ensconced with wonderful notes to house a brilliant epic piece.   The Ah’s are sung with such an eerie precision.  This song will definitely haunt you especially if you’ve watched the movie or in some cases read the book.  It really allows one to contemplate the true meaning of life.  We are after all only on this earth for a short period of time.  And, regardless of age, ailment, disorder or disease we can learn to love and show compassion to one another.  I think this specific section of the song says it all.

Maybe this is not the fault of a God?

And maybe Karma’s innocent too?

Maybe we’re all just locked behind bars?

Or could it be the fault’s in the stars?

Maybe it’s the fault in our stars

I stagger through hallways, but don’t know where to

I never understood the universe

Her nails are painted perfect in dark navy blue

The nine was a ten says the nurse

but that only makes it all worse

Bad things will always happen, it depends what you decide to do with the time you have left on this planet.  Quite the thought-provoking lyrics indeed.  That’s what really hooks me about this song.  It’s humanity and ability to find relatability from one human to another. 

My final favourite Spiders this song honestly reminds me of a moment where life was simpler, and I had time to play pranks on my spouse.  We used to have a plastic spider one day my husband asked me to check the water tap in the bathroom he thought that it was still running so I got up to check and there was a plastic furry leg that looked very real in the dark.  I absolutely screamed and then laughed he had tucked the tarantula inside of the sink… don’t worry I got my revenge the next day he found it on his pillow.  That is the point of this song to be surrounded by monsters’ simple spiders and never be aware of it.  Those closed dark places in your mind that play word games with you.  This song does the same it brings forth an inner awareness of those things that are around us that we never see or even take for granted. 

There are spiders on the walls, love

I can see them, clear as day

There are tigers on the floor, love

Can’t you make them go away?

There are horrors going on

Under my bed

I’ve got monsters in my head

Can’t you see, can’t you see, can’t you see, can’t you see, can’t you hear them?

Don’t you feel, don’t you feel, don’t you feel, don’t you feel, don’t you fear them?

There’s a killer on the run, love

I have seen it on the news

He’s coming with a gun, love

I could swear it, but not prove

There are horrors going on

Under my bed

I’ve got monsters in my head

Can’t you see, can’t you see, can’t you see, can’t you see, can’t you hear them?

Don’t you feel, don’t you feel, don’t you feel, don’t you feel, don’t you fear them?

Aaaaaaaaaah

Aaaaaaaaaah

Aaaaaaaaaah

Aaaaaaaaaah

Aaaaaaaaaah

There are horrors going on

Under my bed

There are horrors going on

inside my head

There are monsters like I said

Can’t you see, can’t you see, can’t you see, can’t you see, can’t you hear them?

Don’t you feel, don’t you feel, don’t you feel, don’t you feel, don’t you fear them?

Can’t you see, can’t you see, can’t you see, can’t you see, can’t you hear them?

Don’t you feel, don’t you feel, don’t you feel, don’t you feel, don’t you fear them?

There are horrors going on

Under my bed

There are horrors going on

inside my head

There are monsters like I said

Haaaa

Haaaa

Haaaa

All in all, I would recommend this EP to anyone who appreciates a true artistic body of work.  For more information on Hildur you can follow her on Twitter @hildurhoglind or check out her website  http://hildurhoglind.com  you should allow this singer/songwriters body of work into your heart you will not regret it.  I know I am forever richer having been exposed her music.