Vila Matas Malady

Malady’s eponymous album was a deserved underground hit, a beautifully realised piece of original Finnish progressive rock which had its roots very strongly in the sound of the early 70s. The second album Toinen toista, out in February 2018, goes deeper. Composed and arranged as a collaborative piece by the band, Toinen toista has enough detail to keep one captivated for repeated listens. The music is glazed with the kind of homegrown sweetness only vintage Scandinavian Prog Rock can offer but its insides are complex, with layer upon layer of things to discover. Comments lyricist Juuso Jylhänlehto, “This album is open to many interpretations and laden with symbolism, but at its core lays the basic questions of being human and the transient nature of things.”

Finland has a long-standing tradition of atmospheric, quirky progressive rock, from genre forefathers like Wigwam, Magyar, and Tasavallan Presidentti to modern-day stalwarts such as Sammal and Liekki. Svart Records is proud to present the latest link in the chain: Malady. When Malady was founded in 2010, the band members had one goal: to create one album before turning 50. That starting point for making music describes the band quite well. They don't work for glory, but with ambition. Malady is inspired by the 1970's Finnish prog tradition. Even though the search for the right sounds and tones took plenty of effort, the music is not just about retro-tripping. The storytelling of the meandering songs is supported by an analog soundscape. Malady's music is at the same time subtle and substantial.