Faun’s latest offering, Hex, is the sort of album that makes you question everything you thought you knew about folk music and paganism. After nearly two decades of crafting their particular brand of medieval folk with a modern twist, the band shows no signs of slowing.
From the moment the opening track begins its hypnotic incantation, you know you’re in for something special. This isn’t your grandmother’s folk music—unless your grandmother happened to be a practicing witch with an extensive collection of frame drums and a penchant for ancient European languages. Faun has always occupied that peculiar space between academic historical recreation and accessible world music, but Hex finds them pushing deeper into darker territories than ever before.
What strikes me most about Hex is how fearlessly the band embraces the theatrical aspects of their music without ever tipping into pure novelty. These aren’t Renaissance faire performers cosplaying as mystics—this is serious musicianship wrapped in genuinely compelling storytelling. The vocals, shared between multiple band members, weave together like voices around a campfire: sometimes whispering secrets, sometimes building to ecstatic crescendos that would make a Gregorian monk weep with envy.
The instrumental work throughout the album is phenomenal. Faun has always been masters of unusual instrumentation—hurdy-gurdies, nyckelharpas, and all manner of percussion that sounds like it was carved from sacred trees—but here they’ve refined their approach to something approaching perfection. Each instrument serves the song rather than showing off, creating textures that support the mystical atmosphere without overwhelming it.
Lyrically, the album draws from a deep well of European folklore, ancient poetry, and what I can only assume are genuine magical incantations. Sung in a mixture of German, Latin, and what sounds like reconstructed ancient languages, the words themselves become instruments—their meaning less important than their power to transport. It’s the sort of approach that could easily become pretentious wank, but Faun’s sincerity and obvious scholarly background keep everything grounded.
The album’s pacing is masterful, ebbing and flowing like a proper ritual should. Quieter, more introspective moments give way to explosive celebrations that make you want to strip naked and dance around a bonfire (legal disclaimer: Moshville Times does not encourage actual naked bonfire dancing). The sequencing feels intentional, like a journey through different states of consciousness or perhaps the changing of seasons.
Standout tracks are difficult to identify because the album works so well as a complete experience. However, the mid-album epic featuring what sounds like an entire medieval choir backed by thunderous drumming is absolutely transcendent. It’s the sort of track that makes you wonder why more bands don’t incorporate authentic historical instruments into their sound. The closing track, meanwhile, brings everything full circle with a haunting melody that lingers long after the last note fades.
The band’s live performances have always been legendary, and Hex captures that energy while adding layers of studio sophistication that enhance rather than diminish the raw power of their music. This is clearly a band at the peak of their powers, comfortable enough with their identity to take risks while skilled enough to pull them off.
In an era where world music often gets watered down for mass consumption, Faun refuses to compromise their vision. Hex is unabashedly weird, genuinely mystical, and absolutely compelling from start to finish. It’s the sort of album that reveals new details with each listen, rewarding attention while working perfectly as background music for your next occult ritual or dinner party (depending on your social circle).
Put simply, Hex is magical in the most literal sense of the word. It’s an album that casts a spell and keeps you under it long after the music stops. In a world full of disposable entertainment, Faun has crafted something timeless and transformative. Highly recommended for anyone brave enough to let a little ancient magic into their modern life.
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Hex is out 5th September
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