Ólafur Arnalds
...And they have escaped the weight of darkness
Erased Tapes
Falling somewhere between the glacial soundscapes of Sigur Rós and cinematic musings of Jóhann Jóhannsson, Ólafur Arnalds creates small-scale, intimate creations meant for quiet contemplation. Not one to take the path of least resistance, and head straight for the obvious theme, Arnalds cleverly sculpts the nine mini-compositions of "...And they have escaped the weight of darkness" into understated gems, eschewing melodramatic excess and allowing them to slowly unravel over time. Opening with the barely there track "Þú ert sólin" and continuing with "Þú ert jörðinn", the first two songs act as a prelude to his dimly lit world, which finally explodes into fruition with "Tunglið", a piano-driven piece that builds to dizzying string and percussion-filled heights. The album's start for all practical purposes, it's well worth the wait.
While a stunningly mature modern-classical outing, it's album centerpiece "Hægt, kemur ljósið" that truly shows what Arnalds is truly capable of creating, and with any luck will act as a bridge to future work. Packed with an album's worth of emotional resonance, the track is a multi-movement gem, where Arnalds makes good on "...And they have escaped the weight of darkness"' promise, tenderly leading his listeners into a melancholy dawn.
- Laura Studarus
