Nest

Nest's self-titled 2020 release is a significant expansion of the project's early work, specifically reissuing and doubling the length of their original EP. A collaboration between Otto Totland (of Deaf Center) and Huw Roberts, the album sits at the intersection of neofolk and dark ambient. The primary instrument is the Finnish kantele, which provides a unique cultural and sonic fingerprint. Totland’s influence is felt in the delicate, melancholic piano arrangements that echo his solo work on labels like Type and Sonic Pieces. Critically, the album is praised for its ability to evoke specific natural imagery - specifically the Finnish taiga - without relying on clichéd 'nature sounds.' It represents a bridge between traditional folk instrumentation and modern minimalist composition, positioning Nest as a key figure in the contemporary ambient-folk scene. The 2020 Serein reissue finally provided a definitive, high-fidelity version of these formative recordings.