Folk music has seen a popular resurgence lately and Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg are making quite a splash. First Aid Kit eloquently captures the love and regret common in American folk music, but with a different flair.

The longing in their voices is reminiscent of indie star Feist, except with Swedish accents. They also sound much more mature than they are and makes you think they’ve seen a lot of bad shit go down in their young lives. No boys and girls this is not Bob Dylan-esque folk music, it’s much darker. “The Lion’s Roar” is especially interesting and reads like a gloomy bedtime story for children. “Blue” is my personal favorite and initially sounds more upbeat, but is actually a sad story about failed love. There’s also a beautiful acoustic number called “In the Heart’s of Men” that makes for a heavy listen.

Like an eerie dream you keep thinking about, the album is dark and perplexing. The lyrics are deep and insightful; it’s an album that will make you think. Overall, it’s a great listen and is somber enough that it could be the soundtrack for the cold and unpredictable Midwest winter we’re having.

Grade: B

Recommended Tracks: “The Lion’s Roar”, “Emmylou” and “Blue”