If you thought traditional Scottish ballads and alien elves didn’t mix, then you haven’t heard of Rhymer, the unique collaboration between the SGO Prospective label and the London-based musician and producer Nathan Fake.
Rhymer, an album released in December 2020, presents a bizarre yet beautiful combination of traditional Scottish folk ballads and synth-pop sounds from outer space. The brainchild of Nathan Fake, the title of the album is a nod to the “Rhymer” tales of old—Scottish folktales where a mysterious being known as a “Rhymer” is said to turn up and offer sage advice to those who seek it.
The otherworldly experience of Rhymer begins as soon as you press play. Fake’s extraterrestrial electronic production creates an otherworldly atmosphere of Scottish mysticism, infused with the mystical, dreamlike sound of a synth from outer space. Fake’s production is further augmented by traditional Scottish folk instruments such as the bagpipes, fiddle, and bodhran—bringing a sense of ancient Scotland to the modern day.
The album’s centerpieces are the alien-elf-inspired lyrics of each of the nine tracks. For each song, Fake has taken inspiration from the old tales of the mysterious Rhymer and incorporated them into his compositions. As a result, the album has a distinct feel of “alien elves”—as if aliens from outer space have come to bring wisdom to those of us living on planet Earth.
Rhymer is sure to transport you to a world of mystery, adventure, and alien elves—all the while making you feel like you’re stepping back in time through the ancient landscapes of Scotland. With a beautiful combination of Scottish ballads and outer space magic, it is a truly unique listening experience that is sure to be enjoyed by any and all music fans.