ÁTTA

Sigur Rós have already made a name for themselves as one of Iceland's most compelling musical collectives, with their ethereal blend of rock music with ambient and orchestral sounds. Occasionally bordering the definition of progressive, their place among the most uniquely evolving musical entities is undoubtedly important, as they have become impressively well-known through a music that is uncompromising with its non-conformism. After a decade-long pause, the band came back with their eighth studio album 'Átta'. A reunion with a former member graces this self-produced album, that was partially recorded in the band's homeland as well as at Abbey Road Studios. The album sees the three core members Jón Birgisson, Georg Hólm, and Kjartan Sveinsson jamming and improvising predominantly on a myriad of pianos and synths, while working on the simultaneous orchestration of the pieces.

The result is a flamboyant and expansive modern classical sound that incorporates the calmness so prevalent in all of Sigur Rós' music, and intertwines it with the vibrant meditations on the state of the world, as disclosed by the band itself. Slowly built-up tensions gradually evolve into magical melodies that portray the cinematic qualities of the band's sound, where percussions are rarely used, so that a more ambient, ascended effect is achieved. The record develops slowly and gracefully unveils its charm before the listener, as the orchestral embrace leads the compositions to the ever so dreamy atmosphere of the Sigur Rós universe. This could not be a canon album for the band (yet it is a fantastic step forward), as it seems they rely less on their alternative music backgrounds, and rather opted for a more elevated musical presentation that pays off beautifully.