Sofia Härdig – Lighthouse of Glass (2025)
Avant-rock artist Sofia Härdig returns with Lighthouse of Glass – a bold and boundary-pushing album that blurs genre lines while diving deep into emotional territory. Here, the Swedish singer-songwriter fully realises her artistic vision, melding post-punk grit, gothic elegance, and experimental rock into a singular sonic experience.
Released via Bark At Your Owner/Icons Creating Art, Lighthouse of Glass is not merely a showcase of Härdig’s compositional prowess, but also her multifaceted talents as a producer. Collaborators like Robert Johnsson, Bebe Risenfors, and John Essing lend texture and weight to the songs, while Grammy-winning mixer Nille Perned ensures the production stays both immersive and raw. From the haunting tones of trombone to minimalistic guitar motifs, every sonic layer feels intentional and alive.
The genre diversity of the album makes Lighthouse of Glass an exhilarating listen. Härdig seamlessly navigates between brooding gothic rock and explosive post-punk with experimental alternativeness, often within the same track. Her voice, commanding yet intimate, adapts effortlessly to these dynamic shifts. A refreshing unpredictability exists in each track and surprises without ever losing the thread of emotional coherence. The songwriting is daring but rooted in deeply personal expression, giving each track and the album heart.
The title track is a standout moment. It was born from a single improvisational session, a raw, unfiltered emotional pulse exists in the untouched guitar. The addition of Risenfors’ instrumentation enhances its fragility and sense of urgency. As a metaphor for the album as a whole, the track shines as a beacon of vulnerability, guiding listeners through the album’s more shadowy corners while simultaneously embracing imperfection.
‘Collision’ marks another high point – a cinematic turn in Härdig’s sonic evolution. With its orchestral textures and the introduction of a brass-and-strings ensemble. The trombone adds a melancholic grandeur, while the violin weaves in drama and complexity, elevating the track into something that feels like it belongs equally in a concert hall and a late-night underground club.
Equally compelling is ‘Kingdom Come’ – a slow-burning epic steeped in mystique. Härdig builds tension with layered verses, dense with lyrical ambiguity and spiritual undercurrents. The track’s structure is unconventional – shifting, sprawling and refusing resolution.
Serving as a product of two years of emotional labour in intense isolation and introspection, Lighthouse of Glass is a stunning release. It’s an immersive listening experience that rewards patience and vulnerability. From the sparse piano ballad ‘Pale Fire’ to the grandiose tension of ‘Kingdom Come’, Sofia Härdig proves once again why she is one of Sweden’s most compelling musical voices.
Find out more about Sofia Härdig on her official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
