Various Artists – Nouse Luonto – Lauluja Monimuotoisuudesta (Nordic Notes / CPL-Musicgroup, 2025)
Nouse Luonto (“Rise, Nature”) is a remarkable collaborative album that brings together leading Finnish folk musicians in support of biodiversity. Spearheaded by artists committed to necessary ecological preservation, the project combines environmental advocacy with musical heritage.
Drawing on the close ties between traditional Finnish folk and the natural world, each contributor offers either a newly composed piece or a reimagined folk song centered on the theme of nature. In Finnish, luonto signifies both “nature” and the innate spirit of a person, an intentional duality that anchors the album’s concept.
The recordings span multiple languages, Finnish, Swedish, Northern Sámi, and Romani, and reflect Finland’s cultural and geographic diversity, from Helsinki to Nuorgam. While each track highlights an individual artist or group, cross-collaboration is a key feature. The album closes with a collective performance, bringing all the musicians together in a unifying finale.
Notably, the songs on this album relate to wolves, the sea, microbes, lichens, and spirits. The result of these encounters is music that encourages reflection while fostering an understanding of natural biodiversity. At the same time, the album presents the many aspects of Finnish folk music. Like biodiversity, Finnish musical tradition is rich and diverse. It is full of signs of how people’s lives were deeply connected to ecosystems: everyone knew they lived off nature. The environment has always inspired musicians, from fiddlers to composers of laments.
“This heartfelt album is our way of making a powerful statement through music and joining the discussion on the most important issue of our time: the preservation of nature’s diversity,” said a joint statement by the participating artists.
Charlotta Hagfors, Founder and Artistic Director shared: “It’s like the Live Aid of Finnish folk music, or ‘We Are the World,’ the most poignant album of all time! I am so happy that so many top-tier artists like Maria Kalaniemi, Kimmo Pohjonen, and Maija Kauhanen have come together to support these incredibly important causes. The album also features music in Finland’s minority languages, from Sámi joik to Romani songs, which I am also very pleased about.”
Heikki Laitinen, Researcher, Musician, Emeritus Professor of Folk Music added: “The birds gifted us their song thousands of years ago. Now it is our responsibility to ensure the vitality of their song.”
Musicians: Antti Paalanen on accordion, vocals; Piia Kleemola on violin; Kimmo Pohjonen on accordion, vocals; Frigg on Tommi Asplund on violin; Alina Järvelä on violin; Esko Järvelä on violin; Tero Hyväluoma on violin; Juho Kivivuori on bass; Topi Korhonen on guitar; Petri Prauda on cister; Maria Kalaniemi on accordion; Maija Kauhanen on vocals, kantele; Ánnámarét on joik, vocals; Désirée Saarela on vocals, guitar; Akkajee – Meriheini Luoto on violin, vocals; and Iida Savolainen on viola, vocals; Anette Åkerlund on vocals; Kasvu on Olli Kari on accordion; Charlotta Hagfors on vocals, kantele; Kirsi Vinkki on fiddle, nyckelharpa; Oskari Lehtonen on drums; Vesa Norilo on cello.
Buy Nouse Luonto – Lauluja Monimuotoisuudesta.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.