Kirschner Jana: Krajina Rovina (2010) - CD

“Krajina Rovina” is a record that will be talked about for a very long time. On it, Jana Kirschner has completely changed her approach to music and found herself in a place where she fits in exceptionally well.

With her previous record, “Shine”, Jana Kirschner was meant to conquer the world. Especially the Anglo-Saxon one. Despite its quality and the record label's plans, the English-language album, produced in and referencing the style of Norah Jones, did not bring this likeable Capricorn a new, big, stellar career. “Krajina Rovina” takes a different approach. Jana has prepared a mature and personal record with a distinct musical vision. The real, truly world-class album.

Upon the first listen, the record comes as a huge surprise. It is different. Completely different. It begins with what seems like a gentle warm-up. Jana starts a simple tune accompanied by the piano. She asks: “Počúvaš ma? ” (Are you listening to me?) and we slowly and gently drift into the song “Ty a Ja” (You and I). From this song alone, it must be clear to everyone that we are venturing into a completely new landscape, one where we have not yet had the chance to meet the singer.

“Krajina Rovina” is Jana Kirschner's most personal and, at the same time, very intimate album. A record on which she found herself, much like Dan Bárta did on “Illustratosphere”. It is a joy to listen to, to be absorbed by the music, and to move freely within it. Thanks to the naturalness that radiates from it, thanks to the freedom and ease that are impossible to ignore, you will very soon find your way to the singer and you won't get lost in her Landscape.

Lyrically, it is essentially about one thing. About dealing with unrequited love, naming the bitter states it so often evokes. Jana Kirschner claims that “Láska čo nebolí, nebola láskou pravou,” (A love that doesn't hurt was not a true love), in her lyrics she experiences “namiesto lásky trápenie,” (torment instead of love), and realises that “láska je krutá.” (love is cruel). And even though the lyrics are full of this torment, you will definitely not get a sorrowful feeling from the ten new songs.

Eddie Stevens is the producer who helped steer Jana Kirschner towards her true self. And it is not at all important that he has experience with names like Moloko, Freak Power, or Zero 7. What is essential is that he understood exactly how to work with Jana, knew what form to give her songs, how to arrange them.

When journeying through “Krajina Rovina”, there is no rush. Everything flows freely, gently. It often slows down, working with silence and contrasts. You enjoy melancholy, a jazz mood, blues, but also psychedelic sounds. There is always something to listen to, new corners to discover. Jana Kirschner is no longer making pop for the radio. She will not become an artist from Eastern Europe played by all European commercial stations. But she has become herself. A distinctive, unmistakable, and original artist.

Tracklist

CD
Ty a Ja hudba / Máj krásny Máj / Keď rozkvitnú agáty / Keby si bol môj / Unesená / O láske nepoznanej / V botách na opätku / Diera / Miluješ Nemiluješ / Krajina Rovina