The year was 2009, and folk was returning triumphantly to the forefront of music. With the debut of popular indie folk band Mumford and Sons, banjos were coming out of the woodwork all across the U.K. And U.S. It was on this, the cusp of the independent folk revolution, that The Tallest Man on Earth released his debut album, Shallow Grave.

This colossus of folk stands five feet and seven inches high, and is named Kristian Mattson. The Swedish native may be an unlikely candidate to carry on the torch of such great American folk acts as Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, but he is more than qualified for the task. Equipped with a distinctive voice, cryptic lyrics, and finger picking acoustic guitar virtuosity, Mattson produces introverted, and emotionally stirring folk songs.

While in his recent albums, The Tallest Man on Earth experiments with more complex instrumentation, Shallow Grave features Mattson’s finger-picked acoustic guitar, occasional banjo, and powerful vocal melodies with intimate minimalism.

Mattson’s lyrical style is layered expertly with rhetoric, but remains emotionally exposed and forthright. Many of the songs on Shallow Grave, and throughout Mattson’s music feature themes of nature, including the upbeat, but sinister single “The Gardener,” one of The Tallest Man’s most popular songs.

Shallow Grave is permeated with urgent, fast paced folk music and charming melodies. Few songs are without an undertone of melancholy, even darkness. “The Gardener,” a seemingly simple and irresistibly catchy love song weaves a tale of murder and obsession below the surface. “Where Do My Bluebird Fly” is a haunting lament, thick with symbolism. Mattson’s organic sound and poetic songwriting will draw you in and deliver a unique yet timeless emotional message.

The Tallest Man on Earth might be the greatest bard since Bob Dylan, and his piercing, raspy voice could cause Marcus Mumford to run in fear. His debut album, Shallow Grave showcases a unique style reminiscent of the great American folk troubadours.