Terrorbird

O����lafur Arnalds' second full-length album '...and they have escaped the weight of darkness', continues his mission to lure an indie-generation of pop and rock fans into an emotive world of beguiling electronic chamber music and delicate classical arrangements. The sense of an organic crossover recording is reinforced by the involvement of co-producer Bar�¢���£i Jo����hannsson of eccentric pop/rock/electronica-formation Bang Gang. Bar�¢���£i has successfully coloured the brittle minimalism of previous releases through the addition of an array of new instruments. Those expecting a mere continuation of the minimal melancholia of his previous albums are therefore in for a surprise, as the record may be the most uplifting and richly orchestrated work of his career: 'The album has a very clear theme,' Arnalds relates, 'which is that there is always light after darkness. To me, it has a more positive note than my previous works.' When O����lafur saw how the opening scene of a Hungarian indie film metaphorically described a solar eclipse, he instantly connected it to the concept, naming the album after a key line of the film's introductory monologue.
Staying true to this positive note, '...and they have escaped the weight of darkness' will herald yet another intense year for O����lafur Arnalds, with the album being accompanied by an extensive world tour, starting in China this March and bringing him to the US later in 2010/11. Born in the suburban Icelandic town of Mosfellsbær, a few kilometres outside of Reykjavi����k, the 23-year old composer has always enjoyed pushing boundaries with both his studio work and his live-shows. His new opus is set to again challenge his fan base, which is still growing rapidly. Over the past eighteen months Arnalds has advanced from a former support-act for Sigur Ro����s to an internationally respected artists in his own right. He was privileged to be invited to write the 'Dyad 1909' score for award-winning choreographer Wayne McGregor. 'Found Songs', a collection of pieces each written, recorded and released in a single day via the Erased Tapes label website, as well as the video for 'Ljo����si�¢���£' have since managed to generate half a million downloads and video views.
In many ways, the new record is clearly inspired and informed by these events. Several of the pieces were, in fact, written on and off throughout his tour and benefit directly from the intensity of the live situation and the emotional roller-coaster-ride of life on the road: 'The first half of 'Gleypa okkur' was written in a sound check in Munich, for example,' Arnalds relates, 'while the second part was scored in Braunschweig, Germany.' On the other hand it is the result of meticulous studio work, of refining compositions in close co-operation with compatriot Bar�¢���£i Johannsson, known for his eccentric personality and unique electro-acoustic sound: 'I definitely wanted to do something a bit different this time, something more. Working with a producer was a part of that.'
The enthusiasm translates to arrangements displaying a new sense of sonic diversity. O����lafur Arnalds has created an even more open and spacious sound and taken his distinct style to a new level. Compared to his previous works, '...and they have escaped the weight of darkness' makes use of diverse instrumentation ' drums, guitars, voice, Rhodes, a selection of subtle synthesisers, alongside Arnalds' trademark piano as well as Tony Levin on bass. Traditional terminologies become void on his latest offering, which blends contrasting elements into an original, entirely organic new language and a sensitive ballet of the mind. Arnalds fusion of 21st century electronics and classical vocabulary thereby continues to decisively unwrap the sealed-off world of classical music.
July 1, 2010 will see O����lafur Arnalds premiere his new album with a full-blown symphonic orchestra conducted by Andre���� de Ridder, who previously worked with Nico Muhly and Damon Albarn, at Manchester (UK)'s Bridgewater Hall ' alongside a performance of Johnny Greenwood's 'Popcorn Superhet Receiver' and Stravinsky's 'Rite of Spring'.

'Mature, modern explorations of life and its unexpected joys, rendering Arnalds increasingly visible' Best of What's Next ' Paste Magazine
'Tiny yet detailed scenes in music boxes, charming and sad... hint at a formidable future for Arnalds' ' Pitchfork

'More accomplished than ever before' (8/10) ' Drowned In Sound 'Gorgeous, on-line chamber-glitch success' **** ' Uncut

'Composer O����lafur Arnalds provides an emotional score to this astonishing piece, mixing classical symphonies with avant-garde electronic recordings' ' Dazed & Confused

'This modern, maybe post-modern, release takes you back to the pre-digital days, when music was simply beautiful' ' Magnet

'Arnalds possesses a deft ear for theme that many composers thrice his age lack' ' Exclaim Best Live Session of 2008 ' BBC Radio 1 Gilles Peterson show