OLAFUR ARNALDS Schallplatten & CDs

Review: olafur Arnalds' Broadchurch: The Final Chapter captures the conclusion of the acclaimed British drama with a deeply atmospheric score. This 15-track collection, released by Mercury KX, showcases Arnalds' signature emotive style, blending haunting melodies with subtle, immersive textures. The soundtrack is integral to the series' final season, enhancing its dramatic and emotional impact. From the introspective 'I Could Hear Water' to the poignant 'Take My Leave Of You' featuring Arnor Dan, the music threads through moments of tension and resolution with grace. Each composition, such as 'Ellie's Theme' and 'Going Under,' builds on Arnalds' previous work, reflecting the show's profound narrative and character arcs. Housed in a single-pocket picture sleeve, this LP offers a seamless continuation of Arnalds' collaboration with the series and an exciting and dramatic ending.

Review: olafur Arnalds' re:member originally released by Mercury KX on August 24, 2018, and now available on special marble vinyl, showcases the Icelandic composer's innovative musical journey. The album employs Stratus Pianos alongside a string quartet, synths, electronics, live drums, and a string orchestra recorded at London's Air Studios. This release envelopes listeners into a world of diverse moods and emotions, with Arnalds exploring new musical landscapes throughout. The Stratus technology allows notes played on the main piano to generate corresponding notes on two supplementary pianos, enhancing harmonic exploration. This sophisticated approach reflects Arnalds' commitment to innovative yet restrained use of technology, creating a measured balance between the new sound potential and formal compositional considerations. Tracks like the title piece and 'Unfold' (featuring Sohn) highlight Arnalds' ability to blend keyboards, strings and rhythms seamlessly, avoiding any sense of being overwrought. 'Brot' and 'They Sink' demonstrate his skill in developing complex layers around simple sequences, creating expansive soundscapes from fragile beginnings. Remember demands attentive listening, especially on tracks like 'Undir,' where the interplay between strings and programmed beats drives the piece with subtle vigor. Ultimately, this album shines through Arnalds' masterful craftsmanship, blending technological innovation with deeply human creativity.

Review: For Now I Am Winter is Olafur Arnalds' third full-length studio album. His earlier albums, soundtracks and EPs, have been released through the Berlin based cult label Erased Tapes. Building and expanding on his previous more minimalist work, Arnalds' new album is his first to involve a full orchestra (co-arranged by Nico Muhly) and a vocalist (Agent Fresco lead singer Arn). Three shorter pieces - 'Sudden Throw', Nils Frahm's rework of 'For Now I Am Winter', and 'Brim' first signalled the emergence of the album, which now hears a full length release, with additional sonic pearls including 'This Place Was A Shelter' and 'Words Of Amber' standing out as especial highlights.

Review: **CLEAR VINYL RE-PRESS** Only 21 years of age when this was recorded, Ólafur hails from the suburban Icelandic town, Mosfellsbær, just a few kilometres outside Reykjavík. He as immersed himself completely in the world of delicate symphonic compositions in a near weightless orchestral undertaking. Mixing strings and piano with loops, ambiance, electronics and beats, his music fits into the Erased Tapes catalogue like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle. Debut album 'Eulogy for Evolution' took the listener on a journey, representing different periods in life, from birth to death. The first pressing of the follow-up EP ?Variations of Static? sold out on his winter tour already and will now be available in stores. While keeping the classical foundations of his debut album, here Arnalds incorporates crackling electronics and the dead voice of a machine; like vague memories of tradition lost within the digital age we all live in. It comes with a voucher for a free digital copy of the 'Erased Tapes Collection I' compilation to celebrate the label?s 1st anniversary. The 10" is a super limited clear vinyl issue, we are getting 100 copies only.

PRESS: Full feature, EP review and covermount CD track in Rock Sound June issue coming out in the end of May! Gilles Peterson BBC Radio 1 Session, Classic FM & iTunes involved in Barbican show. More press & radio tba. 'Iceland?s best new export!' ? Clash Magazine ? Achingly beautiful!? ? Rock Sound ?An auspicious debut from a promising young talent.' ? Drowned In Sound

Review: Current scene favourite Nils Frahm teamed up with Icelandic multi-instrumentalist Olafur Arnalds on three breath taking excursions through lush ambient textures on "Stare" as a surprise release back in 2012 for label founder Robert Rath. "A1" features Frahm's entrancing irresistible melody over some gorgeous all-consuming strings and glacial soundscapes courtesy of Arnalds. "A2" with its heavenly, transcendental beauty has just got to be heard while "B1" explores darker territory with its excavating soundscapes accompanying the most hauntingly delicate cello notes. Exquisite!

Review: Icelandic classical, experimental and soundtrack composer Olafur Arnalds steps away from the loops and Broadchurch OSTs to conjure yet another sublime LNT saga. Carefully balancing between contemporary odysseys ("Jomsvikingarimur"), dense futuristic electronic weaves ("Last Remnants"), fuzzy 22nd century pop ("A Noise") sludgy cosmic funk ("Jasmine") and introspective soul ("Our Love Comes Back"), Olafur blows wave after woozy wave of soft sonic conjurations in a way that's broad, detailed and cleverly considered. Good night.