Grapevine New Music Picks: Hekla, Spacestation, Ari Árelíus, & More

It’s Friday, my gals, and time for a new selection of music making its way to the Grapevine’s office. Whether you’re in the mood for good ol’ fashioned rock ‘n’ roll, ethereal theremin compositions, or a meditative piano piece, boy have we got you covered. To never miss a beat on the comings and goings of Icelandic music, check out our Spotify playlist.

Sævar Johannsson — Headspace
Released March 8

Award-winning composer and pianist Sævar Jóhannsson has long been on the Grapevine’s radar, receiving our music award’s ‘You should have heard this’ in 2023 for his album whenever you’re ready. His latest track is off the forthcoming album Quiet Release and is an exercise in creative meditation. You can almost feel the twists and turns of Sævar’s artist brain, rising and falling in synonymous harmony with his piano. JB

Hekla — Turnar
Released March 14

Theremin-virtuoso Hekla’s latest release can be described as a heavier edition to her previous work. Featuring a wall of various theremin sounds, the artist is able to create a rich tapestry of eerie soundscapes. To really hone the ethos of her album, Hekla recorded and composed much of Turnar in a French gothic castle. If you listen closely enough, you might hear the ghostly wails of a 17th-century French aristocrat. JB

Spacestation — Reykjavík Syndrome
Released March 21

Rock ‘n’ roll revivalists Spacestation’s debut LP is a sporadic collection of songs. Spanning 60s Velvet Underground influences, acid rock and shoegaze (to name a few), these professional rascals make their two-year-long hype known. Reykjavík Syndrome highlights the humdrum of Iceland’s capital through the lens of these spirited 20-somethings. To see them live, check out their release show in Iðnó on March 22. JB

Ari Árelíus — Sakramentið
Released March 21

Similarly to Sævar Johannsson, musician Ari Árelíus is on the lookout for a meditative experience or spiritual explanation. “Sakramentið (sacrement in English) is a collective illusion of the divine but also in my experience a necessity to thrive as a group as a whole,” says Ari Árelíus about his newest single from the upcoming album. According to the artist, the track has long-been brewing, but the result is discussion on the human experience, and questions like who controls the sacred. With 70s influences and catchy synths, all of this melts together into a perfect soundtrack for your weekend. IZ

Kári Egils — My Static World
Released March 21

If you’re not following Kári Egils, then what are you waiting for? Jump right into his latest album. Starting his journey into music at age seven, Kári has never been too far away from the nearest piano. On My Static World, Kári says goodbye to his previous jazz inclinations in favour of a more polished pop sound. Going through a whole scale of emotions, don’t let Kári Egils pass you by. JB