Wildbirds & Peacedrums - 'Heartcore' (Leaf Label) Release 28/04/08

"I am a bird now", Mariam Wallentin bellows during 'Bird', seemingly channelling a particularly berserk shamanic ceremony, whilst Andreas Werliin attacks his drumkit with a freeform fury, with clattering outcome akin to a percussion workshop in full flow tied to the bumper of a speed limit-busting race car.

Welcome to 'Heartcore', the debut full-length from Swedish duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums. If the uncompromisingly experimental ethos described above sounds like an unwelcome reminder of Scandinavian arts funds' habit for lavishing cash on even the most listener-hostile projects, think again. Having recently introduced us to Manchester's premier folk siren Nancy Elizabeth and NYC-based master of delicate minimalism Essie Jain, Leaf Label has excelled in spotting outstanding female singers lately. The refreshingly unconventional Swedish duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums, fronted by Wallentin's formidable vocal presence, might just be the pick of the exemplary bunch.

In lesser hands, the twosome's uncompromisingly economic approach - focus remains on vocals and percussion throughout - could result in a daunting listen. But although the extreme aural austerity of the handful of tracks where everything bar the tinkle of xylophone is chucked out suggests a musical equivalent of a cost-cutting downsizing frenzy, this is a fully-rounded creation, the hypnotic highlights of which more than compensate for the occasional stumble into skeletal non-eventfulness.

Lack of lush accompaniments means attention remains firmly where it should: on Wallentin's remarkable vocal prowess, reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, an impression aided by a sonic starkness that emits a whiff of Buckley's solo set 'Live at Sin-E'. Whereas the most high-profile Buckley emulators neuter the late US singer's explorative tendencies in order to churn out marketable, blandly melancholy whinges, however, Wallentin's combination of tender intimacy, soaring lung power and jazz-indebted technical chops heads in the opposite direction.

The most out-there moments will have anyone impressed with the vocal extremism of Tim Buckley's 'Lorca' and 'Starsailor' collecting their jaws off the floor, but Wallentin's equally at home amidst half-whispered, caressing cooing. Add to this an embarrassment of mighty tunes such as the majestic, minimalist drama of opener 'Pony', the deep-blue balladry of 'I Can't Tell in His Eyes' and the clattering, drums & vox garage blast 'The Way Things Go', and Wildbirds & Peacedrums are set to reap a fresh bunch of the superlatives Swedish commentators have already lavished on the twosome.