Product Description Ólafur Arnalds' highly anticipated second full-length album '...and they have escaped the weight of darkness', continues his mission to lure an indie-generation of pop and rock fans into an emotive world of beguiling electronic chamber music and delicate classical arrangements. The sense of an organic crossover recording is reinforced by the involvement of co-producer Barði Jóhannsson of eccentric pop/rock/electronica-formation Bang Gang. Barði has successfully coloured the brittle minimalism of previous releases through the addition of an array of new instruments. Those expecting a mere continuation of the minimal melancholia of his previous albums are therefore in for a surprise, as the record may be the most uplifting and richly orchestrated work of his career: 'The album has a very clear theme', Arnalds relates, 'which is that there is always light after darkness. To me, it has a more positive note than my previous works.' When Ólafur saw how the opening scene of a Hungarian indie film metaphorically described a solar eclipse, he instantly connected it to the concept, naming the album after a key line of the film's introductory monologue. Review Ólafur Arnalds has found inspiration for his latest collection in the slow-motion celluloid poetry of Werckmeister Harmonies, the elegiac fantasy of Hungarian director Béla Tarr. In particular, the Icelandic composer has drawn on that film's opening sequence (a line from which provides this album with its title), which sees the chief protagonist delivering an emotive monologue on the processes of a solar eclipse; patently a metaphor for the resurrection of hope from the depths of despair.This arc from shadow to light is mirrored across the duration of ...and They Have Escaped the Weight of Darkness, providing Arnalds with a clear contextual framework upon which to found his work, while emancipating him from the default melancholia of his past material. Whereas previous efforts have found him struggling to locate his specific USP, mired in the second tier of contemporary ivory workers (some distance behind the likes of Jó ;hann Jó ;hannsson and Max Richter), this set's effortless poise elevates him to the genre's upper echelons.While this success is partly due to the suite's conceptual foundations and strategy, it also benefits from an expanded instrumental palette. When, on Tunglið, a tumble of drums splinters the plaintive, customary trade-off between ivory and strings, it's as if an immeasurable stretch of black nimbus has parted, recoiling in the wake of a sun's ardent luminescence. Moments such as this seem a world away from the indistinct sketches that characterised so much of 2009's Dyad 1909.Arnalds is clearly growing in confidence, comfortable enough to permit his phrases to linger, allowing each note to permeate the vacated spaces between. Perhaps this is the influence of Béla Tarr once more, a man renowned for his use of languidly-paced shots (the 145 minutes of Werckmeister Harmonies contains a mere 39). Regardless, Arnalds is set to take his place among the big boys. Not bad for a guy who once sat behind the traps for a group called Fighting S***. --Spencer GradyFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off in a new window P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); Review 'Gorgeous, on-line chamber-glitch success' **** Uncut --Uncut Magazine'More accomplished than ever before' (8/10) Drowned In Sound --Drowned In SoundCracking ice and freezing winds in Ólafur Arnalds evocative and lyrical score' **** Times --The Times About the Artist Born in the suburban Icelandic town of Mosfellsbær, a few kilometres outside of Reykjavík, the 23-year old composer has always enjoyed pushing boundaries with both his studio work and his live-shows. His new opus is set to again challenge his fan base, which is still growing rapidly. Over the past eighteen months Arnalds has advanced from a former support-act for Sigur Rós to an internationally respected artists in his own right. He was privileged to be invited to write the Dyad 1909 score for award-winning choreographer Wayne McGregor, aired on BBC Four and on ITV1 s South Bank Show. 'Found Songs', a collection of pieces each written, recorded and released in a single day via the Erased Tapes label website, as well as the video for Ljósið have since managed to generate half a million downloads and video views. See more
L**N
The Album That Remains In Light...
Originally I bought this as a suggestion from Amazon and it's turned out to be an exceptional move. This is a surprisingly relaxing album of pure music that at times could be mistaken for a classical-produced piece of work. It seems to explore the realms of lightness and darkness and remains as a purely Icelandic piece of work - the titles are all in Icelandic [although numbered] and therefore difficult to analyse unless referred to as numerically. Quite honestly, the work is to attempt to listen to this as an entire album. It's immense in sound and scope, yet surprisingly light in mood. Recommended if you want to lose your distractions for an hour and listen to an album which seems to lighten any dark mood by being dark in parts but mostly remaining in light. In my opinion, it is a beautiful work and well worth getting a copy of. It's moving emotionally and has with many listens become one of my favourite albums - massively recommended.
S**L
Beautifully atmospheric, richly melodic
Beautifully atmospheric, richly melodic, tranquil & meditative music. It's piano-driven, with the addition of strings (violin, viola & cello), and added muscle supplied by bass & drums on the later tracks. My only gripe is the lack of information which accompanies the CD: no track listings or timings given (you need to get these from the Amazon playlist) & instead a pretentious piece of fold-out 'artwork' is included; hence only 4 stars.
M**O
Brilliant.
I like everything Olafur Arnald does so I may not be the best person to ask. He is extremely talented, straddles many genres, collaborates with other talented musicians, and once hooked into his music a lot of other music pales by comparison. Try him.
R**Y
Good but could be better
Not his strongest but still pleasant.
C**G
Fantastic!
This was my first journey into Olaf Arnaulds music and what a pleasure it was. If you want 'in your face' stuff this is not for you. It's beautiful, melodic, dark, sombre, emotional!!!!! I could listen to this day after day and never get bored! I've bought several Olaf albums which are really good but none so far exceed the level of sheer beauty, emotion and.....lost for words, of this album. Modern prog rock at it's best but so much more!
M**Y
Superb
Absolutely perfect. Much more than just background music.
S**T
One of the best Olafur Albums
One of my favourite Olafur Albums, takes you on an emotional journey every time. He doesn't fail to astonish me with his talent for soul touching melodies, soundtracks to life.
M**K
So easy to listen to
So easy to listen to. Come to this artist after loving Max Richter. I will end up buying more by both.
Trustpilot
5 days ago
4 days ago
