Grapevine New Music Picks: Bríet, Symfaux, Róshildur & More

After the Iceland Airwaves madness last weekend, some might think we’d take a break on covering music this week. Those nay-sayers wouldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, artists tend to use the festival as a publishing date, using the festival performance as a place to promote their new material. Whatever the reason, we the listeners have enough to pick and choose from as a result.

Sævar Jóhannsson — Quiet Presence
Released November 1

As the world moves faster and faster, spinning exponentially into oblivion, contemporary classical composer Sævar Jóhannsson’s music begs us to slow down. That’s no coincidence — Quiet Presence was inspired by Sævar’s childhood filled with relentless moves between places and explores what it means to be grounded. In nine tracks coloured by Sævar’s signature piano style, string arrangements, and soft electronics, Sævar Jóhannsson manages to posit the question: “What does home feel like?” JB

Quiet Presence by Sævar Jóhannsson

Bríet — Bríet – Act I
Released November 7

Always one to spotlight her singer-songwriter talents, Bríet’s repertoire has mostly rested on her relationship with her voice and guitar. While previous releases saw Bríet lean into more traditional pop arrangements, Bríet – Act I strips away the bells and whistles, showcasing Bríet’s recent venture into country music. Her first release exclusively in English, Bríet – Act I is a logical waypoint in her journey towards world domination. JB

Symfaux — Mower-pic
Released November 7

The eccentric rockers of symfaux (Sturla Sigurðarson, Vigfús Þór Eiríksson, and Ægir Sindri Bjarnason) celebrated the first birthday of their debut carmonk by releasing their sophomore album mowerpic. The two guitarists and a drummer produce wordless tracks that range from 01:23 to 10:06 in length, traveling from soft and lulling low-tuned guitar to heavy and noisy. mowerpic is currently only available on Bandcamp, with vinyl to be sold imminently at Reykjavík Record Shop — which will be the store’s first 180g vinyl ever. ISH

mowerpic by symfaux

Róshildur — Endir
Released November 11

Icelandic-Danish artist Róshildur has slowly but surely built up a reputable name in Reykjavík as a buzzing performer. With every new release, her repertoire starts fleshing out more, such as the case with her latest single “Endir”. Slowly moving through a chorus of chopped-up saxophone, trip-hop beats and a hypnotic refrain anchoring the track, “Endir” merges intimacy and expanse. Go celebrate the single release with Róshildur at Mengi on November 21. JB

Endir by Róshildur