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Kul att du upptäckt Ásgeir

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ljudproduktionen går heller inte av för hackor

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By Red on Black - February 13, 2014 21-year-old Ásgeir Trausti is an Icelandic artist who has been shifting more units in his homeland than his more famous counterpartsBjörk and Sigur Rós. It is claimed that one in ten of the Icelandic population now own his debut album although if we note that the totality of human beings on this intriguing Nordic Isle is some 321,000 perhaps the statistic is not as mind-blowing as his record company would have us to believe. Still those who have purchased his music have on the evidence of "In the Silence" shown equal measures of good taste and common sense. This is a lovely album with echoes of Ben Howard, Paul Simon and Bon Iver. Behind it is the influence of the great American artist John Grant who has toured with him and assisted in the newly-translated English lyrics mostly penned by Asgier's 72 year old father in his native tongue.

There is a thread of melancholy that runs through the album that it gives it a slightly wintry feel although it also contains more joyous reference points not least the pounding piano driven "Torrent" which soars during the albums mid section. Asgeir's accent throughout has clear Icelandic inflection but like Bjork he uses it to massive advantage. Opener "Higher" is languorous piece of balladry with a woozy bass line and an excellent vocal. The song hooks you after repeated listens and this is repeated throughout "In the Silence". The title track does have Justin Vernon influences spliced throughout it but it is a great song. Another track worth seeking out is "Hide your head in the snow" where Asgeir rather obviously points out that #8220;far up in the north#8230; the cold takes its toll#8221;. Having never experienced the old polar vortex we shall forgive him that one for what is a genuinely lifting song. There is also some nice variation to be found within not least the funky single "King and Cross", where alternatively "Going Home" would not be amiss on a James Blake album. Overall this album shows considerable promise particularly on the outstanding acoustics of the final track "On that day" which is a real beauty.

In recent times Asgeir has been found covering Miley Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball". In this reviewers view its better than the original but at the same time a little patience is needed. While such covers draw more attention to a new artists the music contained on "In the Silence" is of such quality that it will draw many admirers and no doubt see fame follow. The impact that this will have on Asgeir's home village of Laugarbakki (population, 40) in the wilds of Iceland, will be fascinating to watch.

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Anders, Anders .... retsticka ;-)

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