Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.01.2018, Page 31

Music
TRACKS
Last Year’s
Must-Hears
Grapevine contributors’ top Icelandic tracks
of 2017
Words: The Grapevine Music Dept Photo: Art Bicnick
We at Grapevine have some diverse
(some might say “complementa-
ry,” others “wildly incompatible”)
music tastes. The office stereo
regularly blares out anything from
grinding noise to black metal,
punk, rap, techno, dream-pop,
and pretty much everything in be-
tween. With that in mind, we asked
some of our team to pick out their
favourite Icelandic tracks of 2017.

Rex Beckett
Kælan Mikla - "Hvernig kemst ég
upp"
This is the kind of track that would
whip a goth club into a gallow-
dance frenzy—backs bending
into deep arches, spins into swan-
kicks, flowing extended arms en-
tangling overhead, a room full of
black chiffon artfully gyrating in
ironic melancholy. By far Kælan
Mikla’s most dancey offering to
date, this full-on goth banger re-
affirms their expanding nebula in
the darkwave universe.

Steindór Grétar Jónsson
Volruptus - "Alien Transmissions"
Icelandic techno is blowing up.
Bjarki and Exos lead the way on Nina
Kraviz’s тттт label, but a new gen-
eration follows, including Eva808,
ThizOne, Fascia and Kosmodod. This
year’s standout is "Alien Transmis-
sions" by Volruptus, released on
Bjarki’s bbbbbb label. A direct, yet
sophisticated electro cut, it’s driv-
en by an acid hook and processed
vocals.
John Rogers
Sóley - "Úa"
Sóley came into her own this year.
‘Endless Summer’ is her most com-
plete LP to date, and it’s loaded
with spidery, compelling, unlikely
earworms. The opener, "Úa," has
a spiralling piano line that sounds
like it’s teetering on the edge of
falling part, but instead tumbles
into a beautiful, wistful chorus.
Wonderful, accomplished stuff.

Björn Halldórsson
Moses Hightower - "Trúnó"
Peppered with Moses Hightower’s
signature switcheroos, "Trúnó"
consistently catches the listener
off guard. The tempo is a lazy drawl,
purposefully offbeat and even
completely falls apart a couple of
times. A classic Moses track; full
of play and humor but so perfectly
constructed that it never comes
off as a joke.

Hannah Jane Cohen
Herra Hnetusmjör - "203 STJÓRINN"
It’s a genuine shame that Herra
Hnetusmjör was born on an isolat-
ed rock most famous for ethereal
artsy tunes. He’s truly a rap talent
and no track exemplifies his innate
banger-aptitude more than "203
STJÓRINN." The ultimate party an-
them even the stodgiest hipster
secretly smiles to, this tune proves
who raps the fastest and smooth-
est. Spoiler: It’s him.

Straumur
JFDR - "Airborne"
Jófríður Ákadóttir made a stunning
album this year, ‘Brazil’—her first
as an solo artist. The album’s high-
light is the vulnerable yet forceful
"Airborne," which is held together
with a swift beat. The combina-
tion of live percussion and pro-
grammed drums goes perfectly
with Jófríður’s beautifully haunting
vocals, and incredibly remorseful,
heartbroken lyrics.
Valur Grettisson
Án - "Ljóstillífun"
21-year-old Elvar Smári Júlíusson
surprised us all with his lyrical elec-
tronic album, "Ljóstillífun" (“Pho-
tosynthesis”). It’s easily one of the
best debuts of 2017. The album
didn’t get the attention it deserved,
but talents like this don’t go unno-
ticed for long. The discipline in his
composing is noteworthy, and you
can tell from the first song that this
kid is someone to watch.
Elías Þórsson
Mammút - "Believe" (Cher cover)
Is there anyone out there who dis-
likes the Goddess of Pop? Didn’t
think so. Especially not her magi-
cal hit "Believe." So how is it pos-
sible that Mammút have managed
to improve on the original? It’s
a mystery—but then again, so
is Mammút. Gone are the synths
and autotune, and instead you get
clangy guitars, rock drums and
singer Kata’s powerful vocals. Now
I truly believe in life after love.
Grab a bite at Dunkin’ Donuts. We’re open every day.
BAGELS FROM 599 ISK
Kringlan Hagasmári 9 Fitjar KEF Airport
gpv.is/tbt
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31The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 01 — 2018
WAR
IS
OVER!
IF YOU WANT IT
Happy Christmas from John & Yoko
(and The Laundromat Cafe)
All
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you
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