Oh lord! It’s all going off in the Icelandic music scene. Here’s a summary of what’s new.
Jónsi has released a triple-album of experimental material collected under his Frakkur solo moniker. After a limited vinyl pressing sold out at last year’s Norður og Níður festival, this body of work has now been given a wider release. It’s a triple-album that’s named after the period in which it was created, ‘2000-2004.’ Each of the three sessions involved different instruments and equipment, resulting in three distinct bodies of work. It’s an intriguing mixed bag of ambient composition, mischievous electronica and Jónsi’s inimitable cooing vocals that Sigur Rós fans will lap up. Check out frakkur.bandcamp.com or find it on Spotify.
Slick emerging pop quartet Vök have announced their new album, slated for release on March 1st, 2019 via the Nettwerk Music Group. Written and recorded by Margrét Rán Magnúsdóttir and Einar Hrafn Stefánsson in collaboration with UK producer James Earp, ‘In the Dark’ reportedly sees Vök taking their ‘pop sound’ even further than before. The band have been making waves internationally in recent years, growing from their xx-influenced roots to develop a more propulsive and polished sound of their own, and finding an audience by touring with Goldfrapp, Ásgeir and Editors. Follow them on Facebook for more info.
As always, there are a plethora of Christmas and new year concerts going on around Reykjavík this month. Check out page 26 for our guide to some of the best—including a special Prins Jóló festive special, and a free IDNÓ knees up with Teitur and bagdad brothers. On New Year’s Eve, the bars open at midnight (don’t ask why, it’s weird), and rumour has it the best parties will be Kiasmos and Jon Hopkins at Húrra, and a rumoured concert at IDNÓ. Good luck out there, y’all! JR
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