Spíra

Ólöf Arnalds was part of the wave of Icelandic talent that swept into the broader musical consciousness in the early 00s. Spíra is a return after more than a decade away and, in contrast to the epic arrangements favoured by contemporaries like Sigur Rós, stands a study in stripped-back acoustic songwriting. Arnalds’ close-miked voice invites the listener into an intimate aural space. Accompanying instruments are deliberately restrained, keeping her voice firmly to the fore. ‘Vorkoma’ is a highlight, with gently rolling guitar pursuing the scoops and trills of Arnalds’ distinctive voice. ‘Spíra’ means ‘sprout’ and references Arnalds’ son, and she sings movingly in Icelandic about family, creativity and how to reconcile the two. Unexpected cadences and extended phrases help convey the record’s emotional depth, even without understanding the precise poetry of the Icelandic lyrics.