Grapevine New Music Picks: Ómar Guðjónsson, Joey Christ, Björk & More

As the snow disintegrates equally fast as it appeared, Reykjavík reaches an equilibrium. This is the mundane environment in which capital area residents grow up in, constantly battling half-thawed puddles, aggressive rain, and a general sense of despair. I guess that’s why Iceland is famed for its creative output — it’s a question of surviving the humdrum grey days with their own imaginative power.

Ómar Guðjónsson — 210
Released October 24

Inspired by his formative years, guitarist Ómar Guðjónsson dedicates his latest album to his old stomping grounds in Garðabær, taking listeners on a journey through select places and characters. Relying heavily on his pedal steel, 210 mixes the quintessential country sound with touches of experimental jazz here and there. Instrumental through and through, 210 is perfectly paired with a coffee and a good book on a sooth Sunday morning. JB

Imba — Entrance
Released October 25

While newcomer Imba isn’t busy working on her solo material, she moonlights as a resident pianist at Matarkjallarinn — job I thought was exclusive to jazzy speakeasies and Billy Joel. Piano at her fingertips, Imba creates jazz-influenced pop songs with references to radically discrete artists Imogen Heap and Dire Straits. Fans can check out Imba at her release show at Mál og Menning on November 17. JB

Rosalía, Björk, Yves Tumor — Berghain
Released October 27

Yeah yeah, I know, it’s probably a stretch to include a track by Catalan artist Rosalía in a list focused on Icelandic artists. In all fairness, everything Björk touches is by default appropriated to Iceland. In a feat of true artistry, “Berghain” transcends traditional notions of pop music. It’s perfectly fitting that Rosalía employed Björk for a feature, continuing the duo’s ongoing spurts of collaboration since “Oral”. JB

Various Artists — Að standa á haus
Released October 31

It’s been a while since a worthwhile compilation album came out. Að standa á haus features 14 different artists, all sharing the fact that they performed at the eponymous concert series at Tónabíó. Not available digitally (as of yet) the album is published by Reykjavík Record Shop for a special pre-sale price of 4.200 ISK. Similar to every good compilation (ahem, C86), Að standa á haus includes a cross-section of the contemporary Reykjavík grassroots scene, with names such as Róshildur, Emma, Kusk & Óviti, and Jelene Ćirić donning the liner notes.  A listening party is scheduled on November 1 and a concert to boot. JB

Joey Christ – Joey 3
Released October 31

It will do Joey Christ a disservice to label him plainly as an actor/rapper. Multidisciplinary by nature, Jóhann Kristófer had an important role in ushering in the dominance of contemporary hip-hop in today’s cultural landscape. A noteworthy feature of the album is its cover, which shows the who’s who of Icelandic pop culture strolling around Kringlan — including the country’s most controversial politician Snorri Másson in the centre. Whether Snorri’s provocative placement is indicative of Joey’s personal opinions is up for debate. If it’s done purely for reaction, Jóhann succeeded. JB