aaamusic | On 13, Sep 2010

The orchestral beauty of Ólöf Arnald comes back with a second album. Her second release, called “Innundir skinni”, sounds more mature and complete than her opera prima “Við Og Við”.

Her voice sounds more celestial than ever, ranging from the simple and beautiful ‘Innundir Skinni’ to the more complex choirs of ‘Vinur Minn’. 

Ólöf avails herself of the voice of Bjork in the stunning single-to-come ‘Surrender’, plus collaboration from Skúli Sverrisson (Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed), Shahzad Ismaily (Tom Waits, Plastic Ono Band, Bonnie “Prince” Billy), María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir (Amiina) and Ragnar Kjartansson.

Basically the gotha of Icelandic music, considering that Sigur Ros’ Kjartan Sveinsson and Davíð Þór Jónsson produced the album.

While Sigur Ros represent the cold soul of the endless Icelandic moor, Ólöf Arnald provides a shelter from the freezing cold with her warm voice and her gentle arpeggios.

Here Ólöf ventures successfully in singing in English in three songs, from the already mentioned ‘Surrender’, to ‘Crazy Car’ and ‘Jonathon’, maybe the best song of the lot.

“Innundir skinni” is out now, and will be accompanied by a tour in Uk. Here are the dates:

14 London Bush Hall
15 Bristol Louisiana
16 Manchester Dulcimer
18 Glasgow Captains Rest
20 Bruxells Belgium Botanique
21 Berlin Germany Privatclub
23 Hamburg Reeperbahn Festival
24 Dublin Fringe Festival
28 Paris St Eustache    

Author: Lorenzo Coretti