Description
The Tallest Man On Earth – The Wild Hunt – Vinyl Record
The Wild Hunt is the second studio album by The Tallest Man on Earth (the stage name of Kristian Matsson), released in 2010. Widely regarded as his breakthrough and one of the finest contemporary folk albums of the 21st century, it pairs virtuosic acoustic guitar playing with intensely personal songwriting. The result is a record that feels timeless—drawing deeply from the American and British folk traditions while remaining unmistakably Matsson’s own.
Following his acclaimed debut, Shallow Grave, Matsson broadened his songwriting without losing the intimacy that first distinguished him. While comparisons to Bob Dylan often followed him because of his expressive vocal phrasing and acoustic style, The Wild Hunt demonstrates that his artistic voice is entirely his own, rooted in vivid imagery, emotional honesty, and exceptional musicianship.
Musically, the album is built primarily around acoustic guitar and voice, with occasional banjo and sparse additional instrumentation. Its foundation lies in folk, indie folk, Americana, and acoustic singer-songwriter traditions, but Matsson’s fingerpicking and open tunings give the music a rhythmic complexity that continually rewards close listening.
His guitar playing is one of the album’s defining strengths. Rather than simply accompanying the vocals, the instrument becomes an equal partner in the storytelling. Intricate fingerpicking patterns, driving rhythmic strums, and inventive chord voicings create a rich harmonic landscape despite the minimalist arrangements. Every performance feels immediate, as though captured in the moment.
Vocally, Matsson sings with remarkable emotional intensity. His weathered, expressive tenor conveys urgency, vulnerability, and quiet confidence without relying on technical virtuosity. The slight roughness in his voice enhances the songs’ authenticity, making each lyric feel lived rather than performed.
Lyrically, The Wild Hunt explores themes of love, solitude, self-discovery, longing, memory, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Matsson writes in vivid, poetic images rather than straightforward narratives, inviting listeners to interpret the songs through their own experiences. His lyrics often evoke landscapes, seasons, birds, rivers, and forests, using nature as both setting and metaphor for emotional transformation.
The title itself suggests a dual meaning. It alludes to the ancient European legend of the Wild Hunt—a supernatural procession crossing the night sky—while also reflecting the emotional and spiritual search that runs through the album. The songs portray life as a journey marked by uncertainty, wonder, and resilience.
The production is deliberately understated. Recorded with warmth and clarity, it preserves the natural resonance of the acoustic instruments and the intimacy of Matsson’s performances. There is little studio ornamentation, allowing the songs to stand on the strength of their composition and execution. This simplicity gives the album an enduring quality that feels outside of fashion or trend.
Critics greeted The Wild Hunt with widespread acclaim, praising its songwriting, lyrical sophistication, and extraordinary musicianship. Many publications named it among the best albums of 2010, and it helped establish The Tallest Man on Earth as one of the leading voices in the modern folk revival.
One of the album’s greatest achievements is its balance between tradition and originality. While its musical language draws from folk music that stretches back generations, the songs never feel derivative. Matsson absorbs those influences so completely that they emerge as something fresh and deeply personal.
The album’s influence can be heard in the wave of indie-folk artists that followed, many of whom embraced similarly intimate arrangements and poetic lyricism. Yet The Wild Hunt remains distinctive because of Matsson’s unique combination of technical guitar skill, emotional directness, and literary songwriting.
With its breathtaking acoustic performances, evocative lyrics, and timeless melodies, The Wild Hunt stands as a modern folk classic. It captures Kristian Matsson at a creative peak, demonstrating how a single voice and an acoustic guitar can create an entire emotional world. Quietly powerful, beautifully crafted, and endlessly rewarding, it remains one of the defining singer-songwriter albums of its era and an essential recording for anyone who appreciates contemporary folk music.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
The Wild Hunt
Burden Of Tomorrow
Troubles Will Be Gone
You’re Going Back
The Drying Of The Lawns
King Of Spain
Love Is All
Thousand Ways
A Lion’s Heart
Kids On The Run
