When you get tired of blowing up Radiohead and crying, check out these songs.
KARÍTAS – The girl you want
Last year, KARÍTAS made us sad with the release of his debut album ‘Songs 4 Crying’. Now she’s here with such a sad number. “The Girl You Want” is a dreamy harmonic / harmonic ballad that takes you back to the days when you were insecure and went for bad people and went through a heartbeat and were just dramatic and low-key self-destructive. “Emotionally unavailable is what I want in a man,” sings KARÍTAS. “An irresponsible selfish boy who has the world in his hands.” We want to not connect, but we do. But CARITAS, you’re the girl we want. Stop making us sad now. HJC
Boiler – Soul Sleep
I will not pretend to know the intricacies of the Icelandic metal scene, but this song by Katla certainly served me as a fun introduction. The video made me wish I could speak Icelandic so I could understand exactly what was going on (runes carved into a wooden pole, a horse’s skull – was that a horse? I’m not sure – and a lot of melodic howls.) This single, which was released a month ago, before Katla’s new album, ‘All this hellish darkness’, which was released this week and clearly means ‘all this hellish darkness’, which summarizes exactly how I feel every day during the Icelandic winter. MM
Pale Moon – Stranger
“Stranger” is the first single from Pale Moon’s forthcoming album. The floating song of the duo has the smoothest song and dreamy harmonies. This indie song is the perfect soundtrack for a thoughtful winter drive or a cold Sunday morning. The captivating music video for “Stranger” was recorded in Catalunya, Spain and directed by Carles Pons Altimira, and the lyrics of Pale Moon are equally emotional. No matter what you’re going through right now, Pale Moon are here to remind you “you can do it, baby!” MM
Minds – The festival takes place alone
Atmosphere and environmental way to get in the spirit of Christmas music – perfect for those days when you can not quite cope with the kitsch Michael Bublé. Hugur’s version of this old Icelandic Christmas hymn is the perfect soundtrack for complete relaxation when hidden from the cold. IRW
Daníel Hjálmtýsson – withered
“Withered” is the third song from the debut of the EP musician Daníel Hjálmtýsson. This song is full of drama: it can be built with persistent vocals that remain. “Withered” has a cinematic atmosphere: deep, depressing vocals and lo-fi rhythms are balanced by glittering instrumental melodies and folk harmonies. Daníel Hjálmtýsson’s debut album also includes another, deprived again of a rendition of his song “Birds” which was released as a single earlier this year. MM
Emmsjé Gauti & Jülevenner – Help me
On the front page of Emmsjé from the click “Help us” from 1985, the rapper opens up about his own financial struggle. “I know many of you have had a difficult year, but none of you have had such a hard time. The gym I get for free is closed and I’m in a car that needs a key in it. I do not even have a heated steering wheel anymore. “Listeners are asked to deposit money directly into his bank account. (It actually goes to the Hringur Children’s Hospital.) IRW
Past – Son of barren land
The past is a project by Einar Eldur Thorberg, an elder of the Icelandic metal scene who is known for his work in groups such as Potentiam. (Btw, ‘Bálsýn’ is an absolute must-listen for all foreign metalheads who read this article.) But in contrast to Potentiam’s sythn-y melancholy, the Past has more rock-black / death metal sound and ‘Son of a Barren Land’ about this. According to the artist, the song is about accepting inner darkness and with a hard jump between beautiful atmospheric parts and the crazy traditional black metal, the song definitely gives off inner turmoil. We have to add: the softer interlude that starts with the three-minute goal is absolutely beautiful. Their forthcoming album ‘World Serpent’ will be released on December 11th. HJC
Riiturii – Icelandic memories
Around a neoclassical moment in early winter. We love it ourselves. The composer Riiturii wrote this album on a trip to Iceland where each song was inspired by a certain place in the country. While the term may sound cheesy, the execution is actually quite beautiful. That’s also a little terribly true. Sólheimasandur really feels like you are significantly (still in a restrained, Scandinavian way) walking down a deserted black beach. We also enjoy the intelligent electronic notes of “Reykjavík”, each of which blurs the line between quiet and dancing – similar to the contrast of weekend nights and weekdays in the city (before the pandemic, obvs). HJC
Röskva – Pool
“Pool” by Röskvi is a path that has energy, but in the most peaceful way. The title track of the album Röskva is a great introduction to the rest of the album: electronic and synth-y with charming vocals. Sometimes dans-y, sometimes ease, sometimes reflective, this album has it all. The band Röskva says: “This album was never supposed to be released,” but I’m very happy that it was. MM
Source: The Nordic Page