Dead Magic consecrates the Swedish diva as one of the most important artists of the last decade, a supernatural banshee capable of weaving the soft wools of folk and pop with vampire thirst, creating a masterpiece that will positively outlive the vengeful spirits that roam within.
Dead Magic is a brilliant artistic statement, Anna von Hausswolff’s best self-definition to date.
A presumed sensitivity to this tradition helps to explain in part why the darkness and the light of Dead Magic are both deeper and brighter than is typical in popular music formats. Another part of the explanation is that she exhibits technical skill in the composing, arranging, and performing of these songs with their array of emotional and textural contrasts, all of which increase with vitality on subsequent listens.
Anna Von Hausswolff has fashioned a truly immersive beast, where folklore runs free and where open fissures are as common as wild flowers growing. But you are invited in, and with such goodwill that to criticise the album is simply to criticise your place within it.
As promising as Von Hausswolff's earlier records are, this one towers over them and above it in terms of musical imagination and emotional impact. It's not an easy or gentle listen, but it is unforgettable and constantly rewarding.
Dead Magic is a five song, 47-minute record that her career has been building towards, amounting to her most majestic and complete work to date.
Dead Magic is Von Hausswolff’s darkest, most ambitious record to date.
It's a cinematic experience that reaches a peak on the immense finale of "Ugly And Vengeful."
All told, Dead Magic is Hausswolff's finest work to date; a record of remarkable potency and intent.
Dead Magic is Swedish singer-songwriter and organist Anna von Hausswolff's best work to date.
Dead Magic is a sinister, heavy and hypnotising journey through organ-driven psychedelic, postrock and dark ambient, traversed by sacral severity.
von Haysswolff achieves a new drone nirvana with her unique mix of soprano wail and minimalist-but-grand gothic church organ.
This is a record by a special talent, but Dead Magic feels like a sound learned by rote. It’s an album certain of what it wants to be, but lacking in the naturalness needed to truly convince, let alone amaze.
Dead Magic ... is utterly derivative of the very few albums in this genre ever to succeed, and lacks all of their spark and life. Above all else it is unbearably, irredeemably boring.
Dark and enchanting!
Dead Magic is the fourth album by Swedish singer & songwriter Anna von Hausswolff and was released in March 2018.
It was recorded by her along with her band in Copenhagen over the course of 9 days.
Anna is known for composing gothic-styled music, usually accompanied by the pipe organ. Throughout her career she has received high critical praise, while also facing controversy from Catholic groups who describe her music and imagery as satanic.
I was instantly enticed ... read more
This album tests patience and rewards it through a dark, yet gorgeous soundscape or organs and drones. Sitting down, closing my eyes, and falling into the sonic abyss of this album made me relaxed and more focused. It’s not the trippiest trip I’ve ever been on through an album, and the ending moments were lacking of vocal deliveries that I thought would have elevated the album even higher. If you are willing to give this album your time, it will not upset you
Edit: original score 96
Dead Magic is the first album I've heard by Anna von Hausswolff, and it is such a great introduction. This album is simultaneously disturbingly dark and incredibly relaxing. From beginning to end, Dead Magic has a sort of nervous, ominous feeling that takes several different forms - overall, the sound of this album is consistently heavy and bleak, and there are points where the organ manages to produce a swelling, majestic sound that complements the wailing vocals perfectly.
The first three ... read more
The whole album is worth listening for that outro, it's so ethereal and beautiful and even more satisfying in the context of the album.
Kinda sounds like Lingua Ignota did the sounds and instrumentals and Kate Bush did the vocals. With a hint of Swans is the best way I can describe this. Gonna be a while before I forget this experience.
1 | The Truth, The Glow, The Fall 12:07 | 94 |
2 | The Mysterious Vanishing of Electra 6:08 | 96 |
3 | Ugly and Vengeful 16:17 | 94 |
4 | The Marble Eye 5:18 | 85 |
5 | Källans Återuppståndelse 7:26 | 89 |
#17 | / | Loud and Quiet |
#17 | / | Louder Than War |
#19 | / | Gaffa (Denmark) |
#22 | / | Treble |
#27 | / | Bandcamp Daily |
#29 | / | musicOMH |
#35 | / | The Needle Drop |
#37 | / | Sputnikmusic |
#46 | / | BrooklynVegan |
#51 | / | Fopp |