Þorunn Antónía: Star Crossed

Ten years after the release of her debut record, Þórunn Antónía returns with the ‘80s throwback album ‘Star Crossed.’ Leaving ten years between album releases cannot be attributed to laziness though as Þórunn has kept herself busy with a variety of projects most notably with the highly—albeit briefly—acclaimed UK-based psyche folk band Fields as well as a brief stint with Beck.
Considering those relatively left-of-centre accolades, ‘Star Crossed’ may surprise people. This is POP in the truest sense. Producer David Berndsen’s obsession with the decade of decadence shines through here in all its unapologetic and bashful glory. Production is slick and measured, relying almost entirely on the four-on-the-floor/rhythmic synth bass approach. The result is ten dreamy and infectious pop tunes that are way more Kylie than I think Þórunn would like to admit.
“Too Late” and “Out of Touch” are so catchy that the only way of getting one of them out of your head is to listen to the other. “Electrify My Heartbeat” is a slow-paced pop ballad which would have made any microphone wielding, spandex-clad glitter doll proud twenty-five years ago, whilst “Time Difference” references an attempt to reach a distant loved one on a landline. It’s all well and good, but I can’t help feeling that ‘Star Crossed’ would have felt more relevant at a time when people actually used landlines.