Ólafur Arnalds - ...and they have escaped the weight of darkness

Icelandic multi-instrumentalist and composer Ólafur Arnalds creates haunting symphonic soundscapes that are both wordless and weightless. Often with just a simple selection of meticulously chosen piano notes as melody, the 23-year-old then overlays sweeping, sometimes eerie orchestral string arrangements with a hint of electronic undertow and a minimum of flourish. The result is a stunning series of cinematic musical portraits of uncommon beauty and delicacy, a "neo-classical" journey that confidently upends easy categorization. It's also brought him significant attention and acclaim from outside the usual stodgy corridors as a growing number of adventurous art-pop listeners have tuned into Arnalds' striking melodies and moody, contemplative atmospheres. "Timeless and sublime" raves UNCUT.

Second full album of original work -- ...and they have escaped the weight of darkness (June 8, Erased Tapes) -- offers ample confirmation of Arnalds' critical acclaim. Sumptuously produced but with a style that allows for plenty of open space, this is music that envelops both mind and soul, intelligent and austere but with a glowing warmth at its center. It's not difficult to see why fellow genre-blurring Icelanders Sigur Ros asked Arnalds to open for them on a series of European concerts. "The classical scene is kind of closed to people who haven't been studying music all their lives," says Arnalds. "I would like to bring my classical influence to the people who don't usually listen to this kind of music…open people's minds." Highly recommended.

Ólafur Arnalds - "Þú ert sólin" (from ...and they have escaped...)

Ólafur Arnalds - ...and they have escaped...Sampler

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