Although it’s not made obvious to the listener, Arctic is a concept album, which helps to explain the music somewhat – it seems almost experimental throughout the full 35 minutes of the record and the lyrics are continuously unclear.

The album opens with the upbeat, guitar-centric Willing Night Plants. Jonsson’s vocals are raspy, suiting the song, which also has a relaxed, chilled out vibe. This mood continues onto second track Svalbard, and Feline Funeral, which additionally features string instruments, giving the song an experimental feel. Jonsson’s voice is dreamy and almost ethereal, but despite being less than three minutes long, the track drags on somewhat and becomes rather boring. Unfortunately, the album continues in this vein until the more buoyant Peacock Color Song. Jonnson’s folk influences become more apparent in this track, and although his vocals are fairly muffled, it’s a definite highlight of the album.

The bizarrely named Smile With Your 1000 Teeth sees Jonsson’s vocals become Chris Martin-esque and A Continent Lost includes the refreshing addition of female vocals, which contain an endearing quality, but also clichéd lyrics, such as “I miss you, even when you’re around”. This is followed by the more up tempo Expedition and the jangly, slightly dated sounding Twin Sorrow. Arctic Fox Too Majestic for the Tundra lives up to its name with its experimental nature, lack of vocals and almost jazzy beat, while The Whale Hunt ends the album with a mournful, yet hopeful feel.

Overall, Arctic isn’t a bad record. It’s just rather inaccessible, with its aforementioned strange song titles and experimental feel. However, if you’re into this kind of music, Thomas Denver Jonsson may very well be the perfect artist for you.