What song does this song remind me of?

April 8, 2018 8:46 PM

The song "Kivutar" by Varttina came up on random shuffle for me and part of it sounds extremely familiar--particularly the part that starts at 0:34. I can even hear it in my head: a slightly slower, New Age-y, maybe even chant-y? song with the same cadence. Do you know what song I am thinking of?

I think I would have heard the song I'm thinking of in the early-mid 90s, when New Age-y world music was a popular thing in general and also a thing I was casually into. My first guess was that it was something from Pure Moods, but a quick run through the Pure Moods tracklist didn't ring any bells.

posted by rhiannonstone to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

If it was a Varttina song you encountered back then you might have heard Kylä Vuotti Uutta Kuuta, which enjoyed a relatively high amount of exposure in the USA for a Scandinavian folk track. But on second thought, probably not, as it doesn't sound much like the track that is triggering your reminiscence.
posted by Nerd of the North at 9:59 PM on April 8, 2018

Kula Shaker - Tattva?
posted by watrlily at 11:33 PM on April 8, 2018

Aivoton by Hedningarna?
posted by Grangousier at 5:41 AM on April 9, 2018

That part reminds me a little of Loreena McKennit's Santiago (new age-y, 1994).
posted by methroach at 7:03 AM on April 9, 2018

Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares for style, and it's the right era, but I don't know their songs well enough to name one in particular.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:21 PM on April 9, 2018

Polegnala e Todora is LMVB's best known song, but the distinctive tone you're picking up on doesn't hit until about halfway through:

Polegnala e Todora

(My money is on this group, for what it's worth! You could also look into Georgian music for a similar tone & close harmonizing)
posted by heyforfour at 2:27 PM on April 9, 2018

Response by poster: None of these so far are quite it! I'm starting to second-guess myself and wonder if the very specific bit of "Kivutar" that's ringing a bell for me (at 0:36) actually reminds me of a more modern song? I'd still appreciate any suggestions!
posted by rhiannonstone at 8:31 PM on April 9, 2018