Susanne Sundfør's newly-issued sixth album, blómi, takes its name from an Old Norse word meaning 'to bloom'. In making the record, the Norwegian songwriter wanted to create a "botanic world", where each track was named after a flower; before this initial single idea fragmented into many varied themes.

The album plays with folk music and notions of folklore, referencing Minoan myth and language, which plays into the life and times of Sundfør's grandfather (seen on the album's cover), a linguist who translated Minoan myths into Old Norse.

Sundfør also pens songs for her recently-born daughter; the album tracing lines of family and heritage from the ancient past through Sundfør's life, the contemporary moment, and the troubling, dystopian future.

On The International Pop Underground, Sundfør talks to Anthony Carew about the making of blómi, its themes and ideas.

"I think it's important that we keep some things sacred, like nature and fertility," Sundfør says. "Which, of course, is something I've been preoccupied with since I recently became a mom. Holding fertility and human health and our connection to our surroundings [sacred] is really important, in order to understand why we need to take care of nature."

Feature image: Janne Rugland