Serving as a fantastic precursor to our imminent stocking of the Fonal catalogue, this is the new vinyl only (!) album from Fonal boss Sami Sänpäkkilä, aka Es, and what an album it is. Already being championed by David Keenan in the Wire and multiple webzines, there is little I can say about this that hasn't already been laid on in these glowing reports, but this is an album I am truly passionate about. The first thing you notice is just how damned gorgeous it looks, this is easily the sleeve of the year; and the gorgeous watercolour shown on the front of the sleeve in heavy textured card is complemented by similar paintings on each panel of the luxurious double vinyl package. The most important thing about ‘Sateenkaarisuudelma', of course, is the music; which ranges from the breathy vocals/violins and guitar of side A's title track and the uplifting saxophone drenched charm of ‘Harmonia, Rakkautta' to the dense piano led ‘Pianokaari' (which featured on the recent ‘Invisible Pyramid' compilation, psych followers!). What I find so irresistible about Es is his ability to make what might at first seem like difficult music (Finnish psychedelia anyone?) sound so effortlessly engaging. There is a childlike loveliness and a breathless warmth to these recordings, a homely quality far removed from the pretentiousness often associated with Wire referenced emissions. I implore you, give this album a home; love it and cherish it, nourish it with your attention and you will reap the rewards for years to come. Even all you children of the digital age, this is reason enough to ask Father Christmas to bring you a Technics 1210 this year (this is a vinyl only album, and is specifically recorded for the vinyl medium). A stone cold, quiet classic.

-Boomcat.com