Description
Recorded in her native Iceland, Sudden Elevation, Ólöf Arnalds third full album her first sung entirely in English captures a rare and idiosyncratic songwriting talent in full bloom.
From the breezily skipping rhythm of opener German Fields to the pealing vocals of closer, Perfect, Sudden Elevations particular brand of heartache is magical, dislocated and otherworldly; its harmonies complex and quietly electrifying.
Produced again by longtime collaborator Skúli Sverrisson, Sudden Elevation was largely recorded in a late autumn 2011 stint in a seaside cabin in Hvalfjörður (literally Whale-fjord), in the west of Iceland.
Perhaps because it is the first album that Ólöf has recorded from start to finish, with no protracted breaks, it possesses a stronger narrative thread than its predecessors.
I was always trying to see the record as a conceptual whole, keeping a certain order of songs in mind as we recorded, explains Ólöf. I drew different maps of how the record would sound and feel as one complete work, which was something I really felt like doing, given the first opportunity in my life to have a continuous recording
process.
Classically educated on the violin and self-taught on viola, guitar and charango, nonethe-less Ólöfs most distinctive asset is her captivating voice, possessing spring water chasteness, seemingly innocent yet ancient (Björk once described Ólöfs uniquely compelling vocal sound as somewhere between a child and an old woman).
2010s Innundir skinni and last years Ólöf Sings covers EP attracted worldwide critical acclaim, Mojo venturing a Rising piece while Q named Ólöf as one of their Most Exciting People In Music. Major features followed in Dazed & Confused, The Guardian, Stool Pigeon, Clash and, at the end of the year, Innundir skinni appeared in Uncut magazines 50 Best Albums Of 2010, as well as appearing amongst the finalists for the prestigious Nordic Music Prize that year.
LP includes digital download coupon.
Navigating melody, melancholy and joy like Joanna Newsoms little sister The Independent
Ethereal, sonic heaven Sunday Times
Gentle, vocally pure and warmly whimsical, Arnalds creates beguilingly pretty folk lullabies Daily Telegraph
A rare and charming talent The Times
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