Sometimes quiet albums get lost a bit in the indie pop world, and that is especially the case when the artist isn't well know. It would be a shame if that happened to the self-titled debut from Iceland's Samaris. The album is characterized by intelligence and adventure in the conception, and competence and flair in the delivery. Yes, it is quiet -- it doesn't so much grab you as surround you like a mist. It also is exotic. The teenagers comprising Samaris create their sounds with electronics, percussion and a clarinet. The vocals have a chant quality, and the lyrics are taken from 19th century Icelandic poems. Considering the instruments, arrangements, pace and vocal style, a stab at providing a genre tag would yield trip hop. But this is one of those pieces of music that must be heard to be appreciated. Here is standout track Góða Tungl --
And here is the striking official video for that track --
Þórður Kári Steinþórsson provides the electronics, Áslaug Rún Magnúsdóttir plays the clarinet and Jófríður Ákadóttir's is the vocalist.
The album combines two previous EPs and includes four remixes. Samaris is out now on the One Little Indian label. It is available on vinyl and CD, and via digital download.
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