Ólafur Arnalds produces the sort of gorgeous music Iceland seems to be noted for. He comes from an electronic/techno background, but his understanding of composition shows in his delicate compositions.
Post-Rock
[Video] Swans – Mona Lisa, Mother Earth
I suppose some would call this The Swans’ ‘Joy Division’ phase. The album, The Burning World, showed a marked change in direction from a band who had previously sounded like the equivalent of a drunken brontosaurus stumbling into his cave after a healthy drinking binge (and yes, that’s a good thing). Since they reformed, their sound continues to adapt and grow. They are as vital a band now as they were in the beginning.
惘聞 (Wang Wen) – My Crime
Some sublime instrumental post-rock out of China. These guys need a much bigger following.
[Video] Tangled Thoughts of Leaving – Shaking Off Futility
Tangled Thoughts of Leaving are a new name for me. Think of a post-rock Swans with a spaghetti-western vibe to them.
[Video/Sample] Árstíðir – Heyr Himna Smiður
The best way to describe Árstíðir, at least in this gorgeous tune, is something like what a Varangian choir might have sounded like in 13th-Century Byzantium, singing in the Hagia Sophia.
As it turns out, the tune is from the 13th Century, written by Kolbeinn Tumason. No, Wuppertal isn’t quite Byzantium, especially inside of the train station, but the lads made a mundane place seem almost holy that day.
For another, perhaps clearer version, check out this performance from Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2012. To hear this as an MP3 or FLAC file, just download the ‘name your price’ album via Bandcamp.
[Video] Schneider Kacirek – Doubles
Up until today, I had no idea who Schneider Kacirek was. Thanks to Toni Dimitrov, my old friend, I got turned on to this track, and this rather incredible project. It features Stefan Schneider, who was in Kriedler and To Rococo Rot. No wonder why the beats sounded familiar!
[Video] Kjartan Sveinsson – Credo
A gorgeous piece of minimalism with choir by former Sigur Rós multi-instrumentalist Kjartan Sveinsson, who is off working on a couple of new projects of his own.
I’m on Bandcamp!
For those of you who are on Bandcamp.com, I finally joined today. This move will probably break my bank account, but it will also be a great way to discuss new artists with friends.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 