First Aid Kit-_The Lion’s Roar_-4.5 stars out of 5

If there is one word to describe the music of First Aid Kit, it would be openness. The Swedish duo’s music is rich to match the vast open spaces of their native Scandinavia, with images of fields, forests and endless sky coming out in the compositions and informing them in equal, beautiful measure. It’s no coincidence that the duo’s breakout was a cover of Fleet Foxes’ “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”; the two groups’ sensibilities are startlingly similar. Both take elements of American folk, English minstrel music and modern country to create peerless slices of organic music, timeless in their background and feel but modern in their execution. First Aid Kit, consisting of sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg, artfully retrofit its influences into a blend of modernism and sepia-toned nostalgia to create a fully inviting and accomplished sophomore album, perfect for these frigid winter nights.

This is thanks in no small part to producer Mike Mogis, most famous for his work with singer-songwriter Conor Oberst and the folk-rock collective Monsters of Folk. He has a keen ear for mixing guitar sounds into the foreground while subtly adding shades of orchestration, piano and percussion to add colors of nostalgia and lushness without being distracting. That would hardly be an issue, considering how interesting and dynamic that foreground is; the sisters have some of the most dynamic and interesting vocal dynamics seen in modern folk. Songs like “To A Poet” find the sister’s voices gliding into each other with such ease and grace, and yet they remain distinct enough to remind the listener these are two contributors. Combined with the vast, panoramic sound, the two bring gravitas to the wide soundscapes, their un-showy guitar playing mixing with the setting to create a mood juxtaposing intimacy and power.

That and their songwriting is rock solid. “Emmylou” is so assured, with its relentless (but never pushy) melody and swooning chorus harmonies never stepping on each other, it’s no wonder they named it after the great Ms. Harris. Like the rest of _The Lion’s Roar_, her smokiness and influence are felt yet somehow never heard, a testament to the Söderberg sisters’ craft. Elsewhere they let their music be accented by Mogis’ careful production. “Blue” has remarkably engaging bass work for a folk tune, while “In The Hearts of Man” never loses a beat with the simple but spritely drum rhythm. The team never lets these elements take control; rather, they let them build on their melodies to create some truly engaging buildups, rare in a folk environment that favors chops and songwriting over sound. “I Found a Way” is the best example, mixing in sandpaper snares and quiet strings to create the vibe of a prairie sunset, gorgeous and understated.

Elsewhere, the duo’s wry minimalism comes out; “New Year’s Eve” has a skeletal structure and barely-there string fill that feels so right for the minimal composition, and “Dance to Another Tune” dances with Lana Del Rey-style melancholy, with doomy piano and languid swells creating the closest thing that could be considered downbeat on the album. However, the group’s light side is equally present, as seen in the closer “King of The World.” It’s positively festive, with upbeat trumpet and fiddle nudging for competition. Even guest star Oberst, usually wispy and reedy in his vocals, sounds downright energized. For the typically downbeat songwriter to sound this delighted, there must be some magic at work.

With hardly a dud, this is a true seasonal surprise. _The Lion’s Roar_ is a display of magnificent songwriting and production in a package that honors its roots yet remains refreshingly free of irony or cynicism. Along with fellow northerner Tallest Man on Earth, First Aid Kit makes a definite claim that now is the time more than ever to listen to Swedish folk or even traditional acoustic music in general. First Aid Kit proves tradition and purity do not have to be sacrificed for relevance, and _The Lion’s Roar_ is a stunning, accessible piece of evidence.