From his Copenhagen base, Jason Dungan, has crafted a new mini-LP of “country music written in Scandinavia.” Finding significant inspiration from his partner’s traditional weaving, whose artwork graces the album sleeve, he, as Blue Lake, along with a few friends, has set about creating a richly layered work. The 5 new tracks all bear Dungan’s sonic trademarks, drawn from his dexterity on clarinet, cello, guitar, melodica, piano and zither. The emphasis this time, though, is on live takes.

Four of the pieces are solo performances that demonstrate serious skills, and put delicate 6 and 12-string picking though a post-rock filter. Traditional bluegrass-y licks are looped into repeats. Backed by drones and piano ripples. The former having a big beatific effect. Buzzing like insects in high summer. The tracks unfurl slowly. Rhythms coming from softly brushed snares. In the process, kicking up a little mid-western dust. Solos make pedal steel shapes. Together these elements gently intertwine to paint pictures of clear, cloudless skies. The Forest is further “fleshed out” with flute, and drums that build in a sort of folky motorik fashion. On Tatara, however, Carolyn Goodwin, Pauline Hogstrand and Tomo Jacobson join Dungan. Adding clarinet, viola and double bass, respectively, to the hum of his pump organ and his zither’s dancing hammered dulcimer-like harmonics. Resulting in a very cool kinda Americana raga.

Blue Lake’s Weft is out today and can be ordered directly from Tonal Union.