Ásgeir was just a mere 20 years old when he became an overnight sensation with the release of his debut album ‘In the Silence’, the album became the fastest selling debut from a home-grown artist in Iceland, breaking all previous records and outselling Björk and Sigur Ros. ‘Afterglow’ sees the return of Ásgeir, and with his return, a new direction. The new album sees a departure from the folk-tinged acoustics of his 2014 debut and goes for a more melancholic electronica sound, collaborating once again with producer Guðmundur Kristinn Jónsson and his father, renowned poet Einar Georg Einarsson who is credited with writing the lyrics for the album alongside long-time musical collaborators Thorsteinn (Ásgeir’s brother) and Julius Robertsson.
but…before we move on, and before I rattle on with my own views on this particular work in question, which let’s be honest, it will never do the music any justice, as I am, as your probably aware, confined to my stunted vocabulary.
Watch the ‘Unbound’ (track 2 from the album) Video HERE:
There is a great blend throughout the album of minimal and overflowing pieces both taking electronic and traditional band directions. Ásgeir’s voice is sometimes used more as an extra layer within the music through editing and effect, while in others it is left unaffected allowing you to appreciate the craft of the lyrical work and the natural beauty of his voice. For me it’s one of those listening experiences which feels like a very personal work is being shared, as if someone was to open their own private diary and allow us to read from its pages, the writers fears, hopes and dreams all laid bare, and while knowing that everything is open to interpretation, a hope that we may find a connection within the text and within ourselves and find comfort…………….And yes, I can lose myself within the listening experience, but I hope you can too…….and besides, this is some good shit.
“I feel like I have achieved plenty already with this album, gotten to know myself better, feel like I’ve grown a lot. Not just because of the album, but it has definitely helped.” Ásgeir
Track List:
- Afterglow
- Unbound
- Stardust
- Here Comes the wave in
- Underneath it
- Nothing
- I know you know
- Dreaming
- New Day
- Fennir Yfir
- Hold
Released on May 5th 2017 via One Little Indian
