#sundur

There is something truly ethereal about bands that come from Iceland. Is it because of their country’s beautiful landscapes? Their breathtaking colours and their intense loneliness? It does gather a lot of material for a deeply emotional music.

Let’s travel to the other side of Europe and dive into calm and unique Icelandic songs.

1. Sóley

Sóley is an artist I discovered last year. I came across a live version of her song « I’ll Drown » in my YouTube recommendations and my heart melt. With a simple loop pedal, she creates a hypnotic atomsphere that took my breath away. I was instantly moved by the timbre of her voice and by the rhythm of the song.

As most Icelandic songs are, they are simple but extremely powerful and emotionally charged.

I would also highly recommend listening to « Endless Summer » which profoundly moved me as well.

2. Pascal Pinon

These twin sisters blew my mind with their album « Twosomeness ».  I don’t know how many times I have listened to it. They sing both in Icelandic and in English and their songs are a mix of ethereal, breathtaking vocals and harmonies. I cannot recommend them enough.

The group has described their music as “simple and honest, filled with both melancholy and optimism. We hope to make music that can inspire, soothe heartaches and warm you inside.” (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Pinon_(band). And I couldn’t agree more.

Their third album, « Sundur » is just as beautiful.

My favourite songs are : 

“Evgeny Kissin”

“Somewhere”

“53″

“Bloom”

3. Sigur Rós

You’ve most probably have already listened to one of their songs. Sigur Rós have written many score songs for famous movies and TV series (such as Black Mirror) and their songs were featured in many movie and series soundtracks as well (Upside Down, Orphan Black, Sense8...). The high-pitched voice of the singer will take you to another dimension.

My favourite songs are :

HoppÍpolla

Svenf-G-Englar

Andvari

4. Kaleo

Kaleo is a bit of a mix of different genres. The band is currently based in Texas (hence the deep blues and rock influences of songs such as « No Good » or « Broken Bones » - which are absolute treasures). Their entire album is magnificent and the last songs sound closer to the folk tradition. The singer, JJ Julius Son, has a really polyvalent and powerful voice that definitely took my breath away.

I always shed a little tear when I listen to "Vor í Vaglaskógi » which is an ode to Icelandic landscapes. The hypnotising rhythm of the electric guitar and strings and cannot leave you unmoved.

5. amiina

Amiina is a band whose music could fit in many movie soundtracks too. Mostly instrumental, their album will let you travel to different parts of the world with the power of their music only. Their songs are also really relaxing. And they are a female band! Here are a few songs that I’ve listened to a lot :

Perth

Café

Sundur

by

Pascal Pinon