Browsing Tag

iceland

Brikcs has released his dark genre-bending work of neo-classic melancholia ‘Coffers’

Posted on 9 November 2021

With its Cigarettes After Sex and Perfume Genius-level of artful magnetism, the cold ambience in Brikcs’ latest neo-classically-scored single, Coffers, is a rare reminder of just how sonorously beautiful music can be.

We scarcely felt that there was room for improvement the last time we heard Brikcs in December 2020 with his single, Water, but Coffers exceeded all expectations. With the lyricism falling into the sombre side of poetry and the grand piano melodies within the lush layers of reverb, Coffers is as elegant as it is haunting.

The extended instrumental interlude towards the outro is enough to affirm that Brikcs is one of the most criminally underrated artists of our generation. The beguiling mix of grandiosity and raw, gorgeously bleak emotion is nothing short of breathtaking.

The Icelandic multi-instrumentalist and electronica producer, Brikcs, cut his teeth in the music scene in rock and metal bands before turning his attention to genre-bending works of melancholia; a move that we will be endlessly grateful for.

Coffers is now available to stream on Bandcamp and Spotify.

Follow Brikcs on Facebook

Review by Amelia Vandergast

I’m Not Sorry: Iceland band Nornagal search for those naked memories on ‘Tæm Löp’

Posted on 26 August 2021

After working hard during this pandemic-riddled time to make their much-awaited debut album ‘Witches Wail‘ which is due for release on the 1st October 2021, Nornagal have our whole bodies in absolute raptures with their new written-in-Edinburgh single ‘Tæm Löp‘.

Nornagal is an underground Reykjavík, Iceland-based four-piece flatmates-into-bandmates indie Psychedelic rock act. They have a close-knit bond which seems pure and real, as they make that perfect festival music to jam joyously with.

”Wioleta delivers soul-driving melodies from her heart, punctuated with shrieks and growls; Phil and Sébastien second her, and alternate their position behind guitar, bass or bass VI, all flavoured with prog and psychedelic influences from Porcupine Tree to Iron Butterfly; Daníel’s intricate and odd beats keep the flow going forward – sometimes at a blasting speed.” ~ Nornagal

With a party tempo which has you smiling broadly, this is a fantastic song to put on and chill with. The band have a calming aura about them, as they plunder the speakers with such reassuring abandon. Her luscious vocals are so enjoyable to soak merrily inside – and there is much to love on a bond-with-me single like this – which just somehow has you in a much better mood than before.

”Tæm Löp was written while recovering from party excesses, and depicts the mental swing between finding bits of blurry memories, and trying to make a future plan of it: only a firm stance will let it happen.” ~ Nornagal

‘Tæm Löp‘ from the awesome underground Reykjavík, Iceland indie Psychedelic rock act Nornagal, is a I-will-see-you-in-the-future type of track which has you cheekily attempting to recall those amazing times you had. The memories are a tab blurred but you know that you will find them again, as you try to piece together the amazing times into one place, so you may cherish them like they deserve forever. Many more incredible times await, when you take control of the future.

Hear this new single on Soundcloud and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Saved through music: The broodingly icy sounds of the East Fjords from experimental artist Daníel Hjálmtýsson shows his pain and determination on ‘Volatile’

Posted on 11 December 2020

Icelandic artist Daníel Hjálmtýsson who was born and raised in the clean air of Reykjavik, is here with his exhilarating new song from his debut EP called ‘Volatile’.

After a tough childhood, Daniel turned to music as a savior and he hasn’t looked back since. Instead of feeling sorry for himself and accepting his fate, he decided to build his own destiny and has dedicated his life to making music that is meaningful and different from the rest. He has certainly succeeded and is only just getting started.

This is the kind of music that you might not have heard of before and it’s cinematic climbs are something rather special in this fake world of bubble gum flavored pop, that sticks on most people’s feet and doesn’t let go.

The thumping, scratchy and special effect-type start is so majestic and you feel enlightened by the melody instantly. His voice calmly burrows in and lyrics of mistakes and feelings of being betrayed filter in like a hot cup of coffee. It’s dark and hot, the steam feels like it’s rising from the hallowed ground as I close my eyes and imaging what Daniel’s life has been like to create such a masterpiece of art. His band are on the same page and this song fills you up with flooding feeling of intrigue as you turn the volume up to fully appreciate the music.

This is a matured sound, something that took years to formulate and drives a deep feeling inside your stomach that fills you up like a tasty and home cooked meal. A meal and a song made with love is what the hungry heart needs, in these times of distrust and anxiousness.

‘’The struggle of light and darkness and where I come from.’’- Daníel Hjálmtýsson

Fusing his own fiery spin from major influences such as Leonard Cohen, Mark Lanegan and Nick Cave, Daniel brings us his poetical lyricism, introspective reflections and heartfelt production that hits the sweet spot just right. The mysterious nature here is like going out in the wild for the first time and your heart beats a lot faster here; like you are on the lookout for a hungry bear but know the adventure will be worth it.

The great thing about Daniel is that he has a sound that is genre-defying and with his band mates, they are on a road that is perhaps a bit icy, but exciting nonetheless.

‘Volatile’ from Daníel Hjálmtýsson is a type of neo-goth experience that will have you a bit scared, rather excited and above all, finding more songs from this magnificent multi-skilled musician. He has beaten the odds and is making sure this chance is not wasted.

Stream here on Soundcloud and see more from Daniel’s adventures on his FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The deep love desire: ‘Unravel’ from Kristrun is an electronic waterfall of succulent sounds

Posted on 28 November 2020

Icelandic native Kristrun is an electro-pop artist like no other as she weaves her way out of the recording studio and into your breathless body, holding your heart and doing what she pleases with it. Her exquisite voice brews up to percolate something so very mysterious as you shiver briefly in your seat, listening to each sound to find out what is going to happen next. This is out of a scary movie at first and each little noise makes you quickly scan the area outside your house to see what is out there. She has that rare gift that makes you wait in anticipation and fascinates at the same time.

The Liverpool, England based musician then dazzles her spectacular vocals and the penny drops into the ocean. Her peacefully pure voice is a wonderland of escapism from the darkness of the world. The beat is so futuristic and is way ahead of its time. Adding to the vivid story is a consistently special sound that is so sweet and tender. She sings about wanting that special love and letting her partner take what they like from her. Kristrun just wants to love and to let you unravel with her and experience that very feeling inside that some can’t even imagine exists.

With trip-hop and industrial influences, mixed with her love of underground dance from living in the UK, this is an elegantly classy performer who sends us into a different atmosphere with ‘Unravel’. Kristrun is a creative mind who gives out a message about love that must be heard. She desires it all and to feel the true soul of someone with you intimately, is the only way to love deeply and really know who you are with.

Hear this futuristic marvel on her Spotify and find out more on Kristrun’s IG and Facebook.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Icelandic Pop Act Cloud Factories Release “Walking In Circles”

Posted on 12 October 2017

And Icelandic pop act based in Liverpool and revelling in ambient psychedelia and soulful, chilled R&B. As back stories go that is a pretty intriguing one and consequently the music that they make is also an enticing property. Walking in Circles just drips with old school integrity, harking back to a time when Philly Soul turned on to acid and began an all together different musical trip but it is also the sound of Prince’s more balladic moments and sits easily beside current artists such as Corinne Bailey Rae.

The music is at once weightless and captivating, seeming to exist in a slightly less tangible place but still having more than enough substance to beguile and intoxicate the listener. It is heartfelt and dripping with longing and emotion yet, in keeping with its old-school integrity, never lowers itself to play the obvious cards or go for the quick pay off. Whereas many artists today are happy to plunder the past, the 60’s in particular to build a new take on the eras defining sounds, Walking In Circles feels like the decade never actually ended.