Folklore 1979 by Milkweed

The advancement of recording devices in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to a wave of ethnomusicology and an increased interest in folklorism. As the world became increasingly monocultural, researchers and musicians became dedicated to the study and preservation of traditional folklore. Despite the interest in preserving cultural customs from around the globe, the deterioration of audio recordings means these works are becoming totally lost to the passage of time. Folklore 1979 by Milkweed is an album that reconstructs existing works by cutting up and rearranging segments of articles from Folklore Volume 90, a 1979 journal of folkloristics published by the Folklore Society. With lofi bass-driven beats guiding along plucky guitars and enchanting vocals, Milkweed masterfully breathes new life into decades-old works, effectively creating new mythologies while introducing a variety of folk beliefs to a new audience. The project touches on a huge variety of themes from Tsonga rain rites, Chinese snake worship, Athurian legend, and much more in a super concise 10 minute run that I find myself reaching for over again. Although no collection can fully capture every rite from every culture, Folklore 1979 provides a spectacular sampler that inspires further reading and education.

- Carrie