From Iceland — ADHD: ADHD 2

Published April 25, 2012

I’ve made up my mind. ADHD’s latest album rules. This being my virgin foray into their world of sound, I was initially worried when I saw the line-up of musicians. They are all fantastic players, but I figured these skilled cats would play all over each other and forget about proper song-writing and memorable songs. I was skeptical to say the least. However, I’m happy to report that my worries were unwarranted and I’m chewing on my hat with a big frown across my face.
This album is cool. I mean, it makes you feel like you are fucking cool just listening to it. It is cool like cool jazz is cool, but it’s not really ‘cool jazz’. Rather, it’s a potent mix of modern and standard jazz (there’s no such thing!), with hints of blues here and there and something up-beat, warm and energetic. Opener “IFE” will have you run and hug the nearest person and start to dance. And just when you think you have them pegged down, they switch gears and the affair gets a tad more trippy and calm with “Merkilegt.” Two songs deep, you know this is no one-trick pony. The mournful, lonely mood of “Örtré” is a true delight. The production values must be applauded. The earthy and live-like tone lifts this one up to higher grounds.
This album is as dynamic as they come but it never falls apart into fragments or sections. There’s soul, fusion, a hint of funk and deceiving moments of floating ambience. Herein lies its strength: you can’t point a finger and slap ADHD2 with a specific genre moniker. Instead it breezes by with a surprising range of emotions, leaving the listener stimulated and inspired. Recommended.