Browsing Tag

Reykjavik

Matching Drapes reinvented Riot Grrrl with the infectious indie rock single, all my friends are (snakes)

Posted on 3 June 2024

If you attempted to temper your teenage angst by cranking up Jack of Jill, Bikini Kill, and Babes in Toyland, tune into the latest single, all my friends are (snakes), from the bratty resistance against misogyny, Matching Drapes.

Taken from the manslaughter EP, all my friends are (snakes) injects the modern reverberations of infectious indie rock into a 90s Riot Grrrl aesthetic, moving far past the mediocrity of uninspired pastiche.

As the basslines prowl, the overdriven guitars augment the single with a level of volition fitting for the tongue-in-cheek articulation of outrage as the vocals spit out the venom of fake friends. We all have them, yet, when the single was organically conceived from a jam session, Matching Drapes intended for the track to be an invitation to shed inhibition and imbibe in rhythmic hedonism.

The project by Berlin/Reykjavik band, comprising the two frontwomen Arndís Rán and Jacquie Hirt, started in 2023.  To record their debut EP, they were joined by Liam Harrison (lead guitar), Toby Savill (rhythm guitar), Niclas Liebling (Bass) and Adrian Lizarraga (drums). As a fully-fledged unreckonable force, they’re not a band you want to leave off your radar.

all my friends are (snakes) will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify and Soundcloud, from May 31.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Reykjavík’s Brikcs yanks the walls down on his new single about that frustration of being stuck inside on, ‘Days Pass’

Posted on 19 February 2022

As he eloquently reflects on the futility and ridiculousness of everyday life in this locked-up world filled with organized chaos, Brikcs shows much pent-up frustration with a vigorously-projected new single that so many of us will relate to with, ‘Days Pass‘.

Brikcs is a Reykjavík, Iceland-based multi-instrumentalist, electronic musician, music producer, singer, and also well-respected rapper.

”His genre-bending music is characterized by dark lyrical themes over elaborate layered instrumentation that relies heavily on electronic drums and synths mixed with lush string sections and grand pianos.” ~ Brikcs

Shifting the mentality away from calm and into stormy waters that have been coming for some time, Brikcs lacerates the speakers like naked tires – on a thoroughly electric performance with a brooding beat – that takes you for a ride into wondering why things have been so disorganized lately in this supposedly smarter world.

‘Days Pass‘ from the multi-talented Icelandic solo artist and music producer Brikcs, is a wall-smashing new single that has your mood made even gloomier by a picture of discontent by someone who has grown mightily annoyed with the way things have gone recently. There is a dark edge here that echoes the gloom and doom that has risen up into the masses as we tried our best to be patient, only to be totally appalled by the brainlessness of the so-called leaders of so many countries who didn’t do enough for the people who needed it most.

Listen in to this new single on Spotify and see more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

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