After the Great Storm

Released in October 2020, After the Great Storm is the first of two companion albums (followed by How Beauty Holds the Hand of Sorrow) that marked Ane Brun's return after a five-year hiatus. While her earlier work was defined by minimalist chamber folk, this record is a bold departure into art-pop and electronica. Produced largely in collaboration with Martin Hederos and Anton Toorell, the album features a heavy emphasis on synthesizers, drum machines, and cinematic arrangements. The recording process was influenced by Brun's relocation and a period of personal reflection, resulting in lyrics that grapple with existential themes and the passage of time. Critics praised the album for its sophisticated production and Brun's ability to translate her intimate folk sensibilities into a grander, more experimental sonic language. It stands as a mid-career masterpiece that redefined her artistic identity for the 2020s.