get to know Ólöf
(photo by Ethyor)
I decided to take advantage of a slow new release day to give a big push to a record I’ve fallen in love with over the course of the last year or so: Við og við by Ólöf Arnalds.
Ólöf is Icelandic, and a frequent collaborator with many of the leading lights of the burgeoning (really!) Icelandic music scene. She’s a touring member of far-out psych-poppers Múm, and has also collaborated with avant-garde folkie Mugison. Her debut full-length is nothing like that, though: it’s slow and graceful and beautiful, tiny spirals of acoustic guitar topped with Arnalds’ light, pillowy voice. Amishi referred to the songs as “lullabies,” and I think that’s spot-on. There’s a gentleness to the music on Við og við that I find hypnotizing. It’s stirring without being obvious or insistent — in his eMusic review, Andy Battaglia said the songs have a way of “freezing out” the outside world; that sounds like a backhanded compliment until you hear the music. It seems to be taking place down deep inside some ice cave, twittering up like birdsong into the daytime sky.
If nothing else, try out the title track. Ólöf’s voice can be a bit of an acquired taste, but by my third spin, I was entranced. People compare her to Vashti Bunyan and Joanna Newsom — I’m not much on either of those artists, but I find Ólöf magnetic. Hopefully, you will as well.
Can someone take advantage of the slow release day to explain why the single track download option has disappeared from so many albums on eMusic?
just some bugs with some of the site updates today. they are all being fixed, one by one, as we speak. everything should be back to normal later today.
Any word on a new selects album?
Also, you’re probably aware but there seems to be a problem with the new Oneida album page. (the album disappears a few seconds after the page opens).
New Selects albums *should be* arriving September 26th. Hopefully.
Wow, what a lovely little album you’ve pointed out here. Reminds me of Kristen Hersh but in a different language. I’m all for it.
On a slow release day could we have a pick your favorite probably not heard of emusic album. Could be fun to share things.
I’d love that, actually, and wish I thought of it. I have a funny feeling Wednesday will be as slow as Tuesday, and I’m all ears…
I downloaded the album and I am loving it. Best thing I’ve heard in at least a month.
A favorite of mine, he won me over with Revenge which was such a nice mix, is Bitter Bitter Weeks. Very worth checking out.
http://www.emusic.com/artist/Bitter-Bitter-Weeks-MP3-Download/11584050.html