Ólafur Arnalds, Dyad 1909

Iceland, 2009.

This is an OST of some kind, but I don't really know what. In any case, this is amazing - and Brotsjor is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.

Playlist:

1. …og lengra
2. 3326
3. Brotsjor
4. Fra upphafi
5. Lokaou augunum (Dyad 1909 version)
6. Til enda
7. Vio vorum sma… (Dyad 1909 version)


Link.

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Ólafur Arnalds, Eulogy For Evolution

Iceland, 2007.

"Icelandic composer and multi-instrumentalist Ólafur Arnalds is bound to find himself met with comparisons to his fellow countryman Johánn Johánnsson: Arnalds' highly cinematic approach has that same instantly digestible quality that Johánnsson, and for that matter Max Richter, are able to tap into. After its initial string swells, the sweetly sorrowful opener '0040' starts to sound vaguely reminiscent of the mournful piano music at the end of the '70s Incredible Hulk movies, and that certainly isn't intended as a jibe, it's lovely stuff, if rather dramatised. The ensuing pieces maintain this wistful, downbeat sound, riffing on various permutations of string and piano arrangement, only for Arnalds to whip the rug from under your feet with the brash guitar distortion of closer '3704/3837' which features some seriously histrionic quiet-loud post-rock action, only for all the drums and fuzz to crumble away abruptly for the lonesome, organ-fuelled coda. Gorgeous."

Playlist:

1. 0040
2. 0048/0729
3. 0952
4. 1440
5. 1953
6. 3055
7. 3326
8. 3704/3837

Link.

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Ólafur Arnalds, "...And They Have Escaped the Weight of Darkness"

Iceland, 2010.

Ólafur Arnalds (born 1987) is a multi-instrumentalist and producer from Mosfellsbær, Iceland. Mixing strings and piano with loops and edgy beats, Ólafur Arnalds' music crosses over from classical to pop.

Playlist:

1. Þú Ert Sólin
2. Þú Ert Jörðin
3. Tunglið
4. Loftið Verður Skyndilega Kalt
5. Kjurrt
6. Gleypa Okkur
7. Hægt, Kemur Ljósið
8. Undan Hulu
9. Þau Hafa Sloppið Undan þunga Myrkursins

Link.

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Ólafur Arnalds, Found Songs

Iceland, 2009.

Born in 1987, Ólafur hails from the suburban Icelandic town, Mosfellsbær, just a few kilometres outside of Reykjavík. He has immersed himself completely in a world of delicate symphonic compositions generating near weightless orchestral pieces.

Arnalds explores the crossover from classical to pop by mixing chamber strings and piano with discreet electronics which makes him a perfect fit for cinematic pop label Erased Tapes.

His motivations are clear: “The classical scene is kind of closed to people who haven’t been studying music all their lives. I would like to bring my classical influence to the people who don’t usually listen to this kind of music…open people’s minds.”

Playlist:

1. Erla's Waltz
2. Raein
3. Romance
4. Allt varð hljótt
5. Lost Song
6. Faun
7. Ljósið

Link.

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