Harkling, the North East UK-based artist known for blending electronic textures with haunting melodies, has been carving out a distinct sonic identity in recent years
With roots in live improvisation and a deep connection to the natural world, Harkling’s music often reflects an ethereal blend of dark and light, mirroring the emotional landscapes she’s navigated through both life and location. Her experiences in Arctic Norway, along with a personal journey marked by introspection and resilience, have profoundly shaped her unique sound.
In this interview, Harkling shares the top five tracks that have influenced her artistry, offering an intimate look into the music that has fuelled her creative process. From the haunting atmospheres that have shaped her production style to the lyrical depth that defines her work, each track tells a piece of the story behind her evolving sound. Let’s dive into the music that moves Harkling.
PRESS PHOTOS BY DANIEL CLARK | COVER PHOTO BY MICHAEL OSWELL
Harkling’s Top 5 Albums, in no particular order:
Ananui - Sound Medicine
"This album creates an otherworldly experience, blending sound and healing in a way that feels both ancient and futuristic. The way it connects sound to healing is something that resonates deeply with my own exploration of music as a transformative, emotional experience. It helped me through the grief of losing a loved one, allowing me to access both my vulnerability and strength in one of the most difficult moments of my life. Originally released under the name Anima, Ananui creates work from the deepest reaches of the Scottish islands, adding a sense of place and isolation that permeates his sound."
Philip Glass - Akhnaten
"Though not technically an album, Akhnaten holds a significant place in my heart. I saw this opera performed by ENO in 2023, and the experience was overwhelming in the best way. It felt like time stopped, and the opera became a living, breathing artwork, with the sounds creating an altered state as the beauty of the set gradually shifted into new visions. Glass’s ability to build such intricate emotional landscapes through minimalist repetition and vocal layering continues to inspire how I approach the interplay between voice and texture in my own work."
Dead Can Dance - The Serpent's Egg
"This album transports the listener to a timeless space, drawing on ancient sounds and chants. The balance of modern and ancient, of ritual and sound, has always informed how I create spaces for deep listening and connection in my music. Lisa Gerrard's power never fails to hit me, her voice transcends time and place, weaving between the sacred and the primal. The way Dead Can Dance can evoke both the mystical and the emotional in such an organic way inspires me to seek that same depth and resonance in my own vocal work."
HEALTH - Death Magic
"I saw HEALTH perform in Glasgow at Stereo many moons ago, and it was an electric performance. This album brings a sweetness of pop and melody with the rawness of industrial noise. That blend of harsh and delicate is something I strive for in my own music—showing that beauty can be found even in the most intense, jagged edges."
Yo La Tengo - I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One
"I had nothing short of a spiritual experience the first time I saw Yo La Tengo live. They built up a wall of noise, and when it finally erupted into a thrumming beat, everyone in the theatre flocked to the front to dance. It was a transformative moment that reminded me of the collective power of sound and how music can move us beyond just listening into a shared, visceral experience."