Susanne Folk - Love Is Not a Weakness (2023) Hi Res

Susanne Folk creates music in the field of advanced pop, with selective references to sources of inspiration such as Amy Lee (Evanescence), Tori Amos and Rufus Wainwright. In some facets Folk reveals a penchant for gothic aesthetics, not a few chords refer to her experiences in jazz music. A certain melancholy pervades many of the tracks, carried by the singer’s rather darkly colored vocal lines and expressive phrasing.

At times she dramatically elevates her voice, yet she knows how to dispense the amount of pathos so precisely that it comes across as haunting. “Probably some of the pieces convey a somewhat sad mood, but they are not gloomy, since (Folk finds) they usually carry hope.“ Mixed in with the ballads and mid-tempo pieces are a few faster songs. For example, „In Your Next Life” and “Pain”, with rhythmic piano figures and partly accentuated spoken vocal phrasing, as well as a soulful rock character.

With her first solo album Susanne Folk makes a striking statement. Love Is Not A Weakness builds on the power of a charismatic voice, accompanied by the natural sounds of the grand piano. This combination, along with a resolute omission of electronic sounds, creates a special intimacy, in keeping with Folk’s thoughtful lyrics. The result is a collection of timeless songs of great intensity.