Goran Kajfeš Subtropic Arkestra: Goran Kajfeš Subtropic Arkestra & Avin Omar

On the first of three collaborative EPs planned for release in 2026, each featuring a different vocalist, Goran Kajfeš Subtropic Arkestra and Kurdish-Swedish vocalist Avin Omar have created a cinematic narrative in just three tracks. Goran Kajfeš Subtropic Arkestra & Avin Omar transports the listener through a moving emotional cycle, guiding them through the darkest of shadows and back into the light, ultimately leaving them floating in a dreamlike state.

In addition to trumpeter Kajfeš, the Subtropic Arkestra features an all-star lineup of musicians from both the Swedish jazz and psychedelic scenes. The blending of these two styles provides a unique set of tools used to construct this highly evocative music, starting with the opening track, the ten-minute epic "Suleymanieh."Built on a 19th-century poem by Sheikh Riza Talabani, the track perfectly captures the experience of exile, of being lost and longing for home. The rhythm section of Johan Berthling  on bass and the motorik-inspired drumming of Johan Holmegard  lock the band into a hypnotic groove. Reine Fiske 's guitar gives the song a sense of wandering, simple repeating lines weaving between the beat. Omar's vocals almost act as another lead instrument; even if one can not understand the language, one can understand the feeling behind it. As the music repeats in a circular pattern, the tension inherent in the groove begins to build until that tension finally releases, and the horns and flutes fully engage, inducing a climactic eruption.

As the darkness begins to subside, "Desmala Min" emerges into the light, marking a vibrant pivot from the previous song. Featuring brighter horns and a jazzy funk rhythm, the whole mood shifts. Here, Omar's vocals match the music, feeling lighter and longing in a more romantic way, almost as if she is sharing a passionate secret.  

"Monsoon" provides a calming, dreamlike conclusion to the whole experience. The song floats on a cloud, delicate, gentle, and fragile in its peaceful state, leading into a weightless slumber. While Goran Kajfeš Subtropic Arkestra & Avin Omar may be only three songs, these 24 minutes are unforgettable and a masterclass in storytelling and pacing.