It has this beautiful cosiness in it that Southbound by The Quiet North has that makes one feel like they are getting away into the sunshine after months of greyness. It is a truly cinematic work by Fredrik Kristiansen a piece of indie pop that conveys that particular sense of escaping the cold winter in the Nordic countries and running away to the sun and optimism. You can all but taste the aircraft taking off, and of the darkness being left behind.
The song starts softly with acoustic guitar and personal vocals that brings you intimately close, and then slowly transitions into this joyful groove with drums, bass and airy synths. It is near to danceable and yet chilled and emotional all throughout without ever losing the dreamy feel that makes it so mesmerising. The work is exquisite–smooth yet never cold, with all the elements being allowed room to grow and to add to the whole impression.
What is especially extraordinary is the international cooperation embedded in it. There is this wonderful cohesion of different cultures into a single sound as it was recorded with musicians in Ukraine, Spain and South Africa. You are able to feel the Nordic gloom that characterises the aesthetic of The Quiet North, it is softened here with sincere hopefulness and progression.
The song completely hits that home sickness touched sunset sense of home departure; that bitter sweet taste of liberty, of missing, of light that international traveller who has ever had to get away. Having transitioned in tech and design, Kristiansen applies the level of detail and feel to music he has utilised in his previous songs such as I Create in Colour Now and Somewhere in the Static to create the same impact in his music.
Southbound is a very emotional indie with an atmospheric feel. It is the music one listens to when they are driving to a better place with their windows down and are optimistic about their future. Stunningly made and soulful.