Ásgeir Trausti - Leyndarmál

Sometimes when we've been lacking words for so long, songs in foreign languages become the most appealing. In my complete and utter laziness, I'm going to go ahead and call this Icelandic Bon Iver. It's beautiful, and I've been playing it loud all day. I suggest you do the same. Ásgeir Trausti is only 20 years old, so hopefully there'll be more to look forward to.  Find on facebook

Pascal Pinon - At The Coast

Ease in to the day with this video filmed at 2am in Iceland. Their new album, Twosomeness, will be out January 18th via Morr Music. It shows incredible growth since the days of the sweet "I Wrote A Song" from 2010, as well as quite a few more songs in english. It's a dreamy getaway of an album.

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Sóley - I'll Drown

Sóley's 'I'll Drown' was one of my favorite songs of 2011. More recently a dramatic and stark, black and white video for the song was released. She's touring with other NMC favorites Of Monsters & Men through Iceland, Canada and the east coast of the US. Be sure to check her out. I still get completely lost in this song.

Sóley - I'll Drown

1860 - For You, Forever

I've been dreaming of going to Iceland Airwaves Music Festival for years. Sadly, instead of booking an Iceland Air flight, I succumb to ravishing the playlists they post to soundcloud. Some day I'll make it, just not this year. The first band on the list, 1860, was an easy one to love with their featured song, "For You, Forever", including all of my favorites: handclaps, a mandolin, a trumpet, and easy sing-a-long lyrics. Their 2011 album, Sagan, is a daydream I'll happily get lost in, letting the unfamiliar icelandic words float away like clouds.






"Rise up, but remember that each sunrise is a sunset somwhere else."

Lay Low - Vonin

Sometimes you just need your definition of pretty to be a simple song of hope sung in another language. In this case, the other language is Icelandic and the title of the song does actually mean "hope". Lay Low is Lovísa Sigrúnardóttir, and while two of her previous albums were in english, this icelandic album is somehow more intriguing. You can stream the entire album on soundcloud. Find more on her website.

Vonin by lovisalaylow

Of Monsters and Men - King and Lionheart

Of Monsters and Men has been one of my most anticipated releases of 2011 since first falling madly and deeply in love with their song "For Finner" on a rainy winter's night many months ago. The Icelandic band released their debut album My Head is an Animal a few weeks before the Iceland Airwaves music festival where they received nothing but rave reviews. The album is not yet available in the U.S. but it'll be worth the wait. Their sound is consistently brave, warm, and full. The six piece band makes the biggest impressions during the songs in which they go from quiet and simplistic guitars and singing before erupting into a joyous burst of instruments and handclaps. I don't know if there is anything more affective or likable than that.  I give this album my highest recommendation.

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Of Monsters and Men - King and Lionheart

Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks

Sóley - I'll Drown

Sóley Stefánsdóttir, one partof the Icelandic band Seabear, is now going solo and touring with Sin Fang (formerly Sin Fang Bous, and also of Seabear). Sin Fang's Summer Echoes is high on the list of favorite albums of 2011, so take note.

This is the first single off of Sóley's debut release from the young musician who released a well received EP, Theater Island, last year. The background vocals seemingly emanate from watery depths, but the loneliness comes through loud and clear. It's a fitting song for watching raindrops slide down window panes. The album will be released via the wonderful Berlin label Morr Music on September 2nd.

Soley - I'll Drown

Iceland Music Export Compilation

For those of you that love what you hear coming from Iceland (and how could you not?) this is some exciting news. Every few months Iceland Music Export makes amazing compilations of artists they love and put them into a playlists on soundcloud. Here is the fourth installment for your streaming pleasure. But if you go to their soundcloud page you can find additional songs. Get comfy, put on your best pair of headphones, and dig in. You might just discover a new favorite band.

 

Of Monsters & Men - From Finner

This love is for real folks. Here is a band that I instantly fell for, really really hard. It's a little premature considering there are only 4 songs on myspace and only 2 songs for sale, but it was love at first accordion note. It's not a surprise really that I love a band that is similar to Hey Marseilles in sound due to the usuage of a similar orchestral line up, plus Of Monsters & Men is Icelandic and we all know it's hard to dislike a band from there. At this point it's near impossible to remain objective and describe the wonders of this band without getting all muddled and mired in my personal attachment to their songs. So I will tell you the personal side because it's more fun to write about anyway. Listen while you read after the jump.

Of Monsters and Men - From Finner

Jónsi - Go Do

There is not a lot to say about this song, because it speaks for itself. The video is enchanting and haunting and above all it is thoughtful and a thought provoking piece of art. I have been transfixed by it all morning. People who like Sigur Ros, Feist, Iron & Wine, Jem to name a few should appreciate this song. His full length album will be released April 6th, the music world is all abuzz about this. You can learn more about this Icelandic artist on his website http://jonsi.com/ . And for today only you can get Go Do for free from the DownPlayer (told you I loved that place). He also has a great song on the "How to Train your Dragon" soundtrack called Sticks & Stone. I can not embed the youtube video, but in case there are issues with the player below (scroll down until you see the Go Do video) here is the link for the video. Enjoy, and don't forget to download it today!