From Iceland — Úlpa: Jahilíya (2009)

Published April 16, 2010

Úlpa have been lingering at the periphery of the Icelandic music scene for long enough to make something of a name for themselves, but I can’t remember ever meeting anyone who really likes them or has even listened to them, except for this one guy… although I am a bit of a shut-in.
All that said, Úlpa’s latest effort is as darkly satisfying as all their work, with a heavy Arabic twist to their guitar work and songwriting. This does unfortunately make them sound a bit too proggy for my taste, but Úlpa’s laid-back professionalism and their richly textured soundscape, one glimpsed through a hazy murk of flange, delay, reverbs and overdubs,  always make for an intriguing listen.