Woods (2025)
Release: March 7th, 2025
Produced by Darling West (Mari Sandvær Kreken, Tor Egil Kreken, Christer Slaaen and Thomas Gallatin)
Recorded by Thomas Gallatin in Riverside Studios
Mixed by Kai Worley
Mastered by Espen Høydalsvik at Oslo Fuzz
Credits/lyrics
-
(Mari Sandvær Kreken, Tor Egil Kreken)
Mari Sandvær Kreken: vocals
Tor Egil Kreken: bass VI, pedal steel, acoustic guitar & electric guitar, vocals
Thomas Gallatin: percussion, drum machine, vocals
Christer Gracia Slaaen: MellotronLoneliness feels even lonelier when
All the lonely have become your friends
Frayed by years, no more will to pretend
Our eyes met, and now I’m yours till the endNo moreneed to pretend, I am yours till the end
Now there is nobefore, there’s only after
I was running on empty, now I want to go fasterI fell off the merry-go-round
Inside out and upside down
Birds are singing with a peculiar sound
Wide awake barely touching groundBarely touching ground, feeling upside down
I didn’t see in the cards I might be dealt a better hand
When I heard your music, all I wanted was to join the band
It was written in the stars but I could never see that far -
(Mari Sandvær Kreken, Tor Egil Kreken)
Mari Sandvær Kreken: vocals, nylon string guitar
Tor Egil Kreken: muted electric guitar
Håkon Aase: strings and string arrangementOh Maria, with too much on your mind
Dancing in that summer dress
Your proudest vintage find
Oh Maria, you give your heart away
Full of hope you welcome every day
You’re just that wayOh Maria, whenever you’re around
The air is filled with springtime
You’re a flower on bare ground
Oh Maria, what lies behind your smile
Take a breath and rest here for a while
Here by my sideOh Maria, your love was not in vain
The world will keep on turning
And nothing stays the same
Oh Maria, please stay with every tear
It’s all a part of who we are
We keep too quiet or laugh too loud
Let people in, let someone out
And then, the season turns again -
Tor Egil Kreken: banjo, pedal steel
Thomas Gallatin: Gran Casa
Håkon Aase: strings -
(Mari Sandvær Kreken, Tor Egil Kreken)
Mari Sandvær Kreken: vocals
Tor Egil Kreken: bass VI, banjo, pedal steel, acoustic & electricguitar, vocals
Thomas Gallatin: claps, percussion, drum machineLimousine fever dream
Recurring scene becomes a meme
Burnt into my memory
Hallucinating stimuliHolding out for the world to end
So I can catch my breath again
Round and round and round we go
I love the trees, but I hate the snowOne thing I need to know
Where do the flowers growScroll and like in the sun
My daily dose of instant fun
Ring-a-ding, giving in
Already miss what I haven’t seenYou’re the jury and the judge
I appeal, but you won’t budge
You’re in color, I am grey
Every dog shall have its dayOne thing I need to know
Where do the flowers grow
I’m off to the woods, yeah here I go -
Mari Sandvær Kreken: vocals
Tor Egil Kreken: pedal steel, electric guitar -
(Mari Sandvær Kreken, Tor Egil Kreken)
Mari Sandvær Kreken: vocals
Tor Egil Kreken: acoustic guitar, pedal steel, vocals
Thomas Gallatin: claps, vocalAutumn leaves are covering the forest floor
My feet on a glowing, golden carpet
I’ve had this sensation more than once before
When every mystery had not been solved yetI miss that honest feeling and I miss the dirt
The ringing of echoes over water
The silly logo you wore on that pink t-shirt
Hungry, wet and cold, we didn’t botherI’m lost and I’ve climbed my way into the night
Where trees talk and stars outshine the city lights -
(Mari Sandvær Kreken, Tor Egil Kreken)
Mari Sandvær Kreken: vocals, acoustic guitar
Tor Egil Kreken: nylon string & electric guitar, vocals
Christer Gracia Slaaen: guitarlele, vocals
Thomas Gallatin: vocals
Håkon Aase: strings and string arrangementI have seen how you slip away
Ever since he left for good
I know that I cannot escape the pain
But I was hoping that you wouldTime’s the healer, or so they say
Some are born to carry a lot of weightYou may call me a liar
He barely knew you as a child
He never taught you to build fires
Spending hours in the wildLife ain’t getting any easier
Just cause you’re a grown up now
It’s so hard for me to let you go
But I know you’ll find your way somehow -
Håkon Aase: strings and string arrangement
-
(Mari Sandvær Kreken, Tor Egil Kreken)
Tor Egil Kreken: vocals, acoustic guitar
Mari Sandvær Kreken: vocals
Christer Gracia Slaaen: pianoIt’s been another year and we have kept the storms at bay
You’ve seen all of me and still you haven’t turned away
I’m clumsy, kind of lazy, don’t always listen to what you say
But I’ve seen all of you, and with you I want to stayI try to light a fire, but you’re the one who does it best
The silence of our mornings when the radio’s put to rest
I know you’ll keep on humming if the song has passed the test
The silence of our mornings when the morning sun is our guestThe way you beat yourself up over something that you said
In our little world there is no reason for regret
The things that I remember are the same that you forget
In our little world we’re still the only valid bet -
Christer Gracia Slaaen: piano, synth
On Woods, Darling West returns to their roots, embracing the magic of an acoustic and stripped-down soundscape that they became known for on their debut in 2014. With the duo of Mari and Tor Egil Kreken at the helm, they have created a release that is as much about fantastic folk songs as it is for soothing for the soul. The past year forced a deep need for peace and reflection after hectic years of touring and releases, and with that came a pressing need for the band to spend time in the nature – the best remedy for inner restlessness. The musical result was a minimalist release, with songs about some good, some bad, and some broken relationships, and not least, the relationship to the forest and nature. Hence the title Woods. The arrangements on Woods are more stripped-down than what they typically are with a full band, but although drummer Thomas Gallatin and guitarist Christer Slaaen don't play much on this release, they have been heavily involved in songwriting, arranging, and production. Their focus has been oncreating songs and atmospheres that stick with the listener, which has also allowed Tor Egil Kreken to make good use of his newfound love (obsession, really) with the pedal steel guitar, while Håkon Aase contributes with otherworldly beautiful strings.