Olafur Arnalds ...And They Have Escaped The Weight Of Darkness |
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 | Tracklist:
1. Þú ert sólin
2. Þú ert jörðin
3. Tunglið
4. Loftið verður skyndilega kalt
5. Kjurrt
6. Gleypa okkur
7. Hægt, kemur ljósið
8. Undan hulu
9. Þau hafa sloppið undanþunga myrkursins
| Ranking: #21 for 2010 | |
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On 36 Lists
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| Summary: ... And then complete silence, everything that lives is still. Are the hills going to march off? Will Heaven fall upon us? Will the Earth open under us? We don't know, for a total eclipse has come upon us... |
It’s a wonder that something as mature as what Icelandic composer Olafur Arnalds has released can come from a guy who is only 23 years old. His ear for wonderful, lasting neoclassical pieces was first displayed on his debut album Eulogy For Evolution, which worked his piano and string arrangements in with guitars and drums for a sound which wasn’t quite honest-to-goodness neoclassical, but was certainly profound in showcasing Arnalds’ talent. With his newest album …And They Have Escaped The Weight Of Darkness, Arnalds goes with a minimalist, hugely atmospheric approach which plods along at a snail’s pace, only breaking to crest momentarily at glorious crescendos that slip back as quickly as they came. It’s not technical prowess at its most intimidating, no, but it is an exercise in how to write a good, bleak neoclassical album.
…And They Have Escaped The Weight Of Darkness isn’t intent on going all over the map; it doesn’t want to clutter the album with multitudes of moods and influences. Instead, Arnalds focuses on a single point and encompasses everything therein. The piano chords are powerful; the strings are moving. They’re all pieces to the impressively large puzzle (just less than 44 minutes) that are both enthralling and noticeably well-executed. The string arrangements are only a subtle touch that really exemplifies the mood of any given song, and the extras like the drums and minor synth effects (see “Gleypa Okkur”, one of the most captivating tracks on the album) make the last half of the album standout from the rest. Indeed, the first half of the album is rather dull and lifeless (the exception being "Tunglið"), and may make you want to turn off the music by the third track, but the reward comes as the latter portion of the album really shows what Arnalds is capable of. While this may be an intentional buildup, with the first few songs being relatively benign and strangely similar-sounding and the last few filled with all sorts of ear-candy and impressive buildups, it is tiresome and can wear thin, especially after repeated listens.
It’s nice, though, to hear the pace quicken by the time the uplifting “Hægt, Kemur Ljósið” comes around, because it shows another side to Arnalds than what many people are used to hearing. Instead of the dark, depressive tracks that he places at the start of the album, these songs are filled with a sense of joy, and are an absolute treat to listen to. Despite some stagnation in the first five songs, the album as a whole is a resounding success for Arnalds, and further proof that he is one of the best up-and-coming composers around. He’s toured with post-rock band Sigur Ros, he’s sold out The Barbican Hall (the largest performing arts center in Europe), and his music is so down-to-earth and real that you wouldn’t guess any of that. …And They Have Escaped The Weight Of Darkness is one of my personal favorites of the year thus far, a beautiful piece of music - pure music, real music - that simply should not be missed.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4
I am shocked that Sputnik didn't freak out with all of the non-English characters in the song titles. Album is great.
Digging: Mount Eerie - Clear Moon | | |
Cool kinda sounds like Heinali. Shall be checking outt
Digging: Rites of Thy Degringolade - Totalitys Commad Digging: Rites of Thy Degringolade - Totalitys Commad
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pos
| | | Album Rating: 4
This album probably won't get the recognition it deserves. Shame.
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I've been really into orchestral music lately, so this sounds soooo good right now
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
summery summerize? and eulogy for evolution rules, I'll have to check this out
Digging: Sigur Ros - Valtari Digging: Sigur Ros - Valtari | | |
and then there was you, and so i watch you from afar...and they will know us from the trail of dead...and oceans...and stars collide
-andrew w.k.
Digging: Marina and The Diamonds - Electra Heart
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so yeah instead of an eclipse I thought it was an ouroboros
Digging: Neurosis - Times of Grace Digging: Neurosis - Times of Grace
| | | Album Rating: 4
and eulogy for evolution rules, I'll have to check this out
If you liked that album you'll definitely love this.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
awesome blossom
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
A new Olafur Arnalds record? Need! Variations Of Static is amazing.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
yay!
| | | Album Rating: 4
i didn't even know he was releasing a new album, looking forward to listening to this
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this is a very good review, i didn't realize before how much you've improved
| | | Album Rating: 4
Thank a lot, I appreciate it. I like to think I've left my pretentious, over-the-top reviews behind me.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Listening to this right now! loved eulogy.
| | | Album Rating: 4
I didn't enjoy this as much as Eulogy, but it's still great. Will probably grow on me and end up being a 4.5 tbh.
Digging: Trombone Shorty - For True Digging: Trombone Shorty - For True | | | Album Rating: 3.5
he is coming to my school
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I am jealous.
This man is a genius in my eyes.
| | | Album Rating: 5
I can't get enough of this guy. Iceland is making amazing music these days.
I'm not gay but I would have sex with Olafur Arnalds.
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