Ólafur Arnalds
Variations of Static

Another welcome return in the musical year 2008.

I am referring to Ólafur Arnalds, a young Icelandic musician, who presents a new album after "Eulogy For Evolution" with which he managed to get noticed by the public and appreciated. "Variations Of Static" is an album that represents a path of continuity in his musical production: once again predominant is the presence of strings accompanied by a soft and interesting piano, in a couple of tracks you can also hear a very simple and pleasant singing. We are not faced with the ethereal and sublime sounds of Sigur Rós, there is more concreteness and also a touch of drama. However, the listening modes are the same as Jonsi and company. "Variations Of Static" is a very short album: 5 songs for 20 minutes, at the level of an EP. The cover is very sparse, almost monochromatic. The last track is noteworthy, "Himininn Er Að Hyrnja, En Stjörnurnar Fara Þér Vel" (don't ask me about the pronunciation), where we can also find a little space for electronics; it manages to earn its space because, due to the small size of the album, there are no particular paths of research or new insights. It is a very simple, almost minimalist work.

Indisputably, Ólafur Arnalds represents a beautiful novelty and continues to confirm himself as such, enriching the musical scene masterfully created by Bjork. Over time we will see what he will be able to do and if he will manage to confirm the important premises constituted by the first two studio works. "Variations Of Static" is recommended in general to everyone; it is difficult to find a particular listener, he is not a commercial artist, simply he manages to be accessible to anyone who approaches him.