Without a doubt Kim Janssen made one of the most beautiful, immersive Dutch records of 2017: “Cousins“.
It has been a long wait for us; it took Janssen more than three years to make this record. Having travelled all over the world and collaborating with artists like Marla Hansen (Sufjan Stevens, The National), Eiríkur Orri Ólafsson (Sigur Rós) and Chris Coady (Beach House, Future Islands), the album feels surprisingly personal.
Although Janssen is best known for his melancholic, intimate folk songs, this new album sounds a lot brighter and bigger. Lyrically Kim Janssen collected memories of his youth, that he spent moving from country to country in Asia.
The youngest single of the record is called “Rama VI” and is a clever song that is as catchy as touching. It comes with a beautifully filmed video, starring Dutch actress Sallie Harmsen who (fun fact) cameos as a female replicant in the new Blade Runner sequel.
But to get a real glimpse of just how good Janssen and his band sound live, make sure to also check out this session recorded at the beautiful Dutch island Vlieland.
Stream “Cousins” on Bandcamp and Spotify.
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