Stafraenn Hakon - Gummi
[Resonant]

Part of Iceland's blossoming music scene, Ólafur Josephsson transcends his previous instrumental style on fourth album "Gummi", incorporating his varied vocal style for the first time.

Again released under his Stafrænn Hákon moniker, Josephsson calls on fellow Scandinavians Efterklang and Ampop to add their magical touch to the rich instrumentation throughout the album. Featuring some unique and diverse instruments (Earth Bell, Pump Organ, Dulcimer Harp) "Gummi" mixes glitch programming, lo-fi electronics, post-rock dynamics and those vocals to mesmerising effect. With nine tracks clocking in at over an hour's worth of music, everything about this release smacks of ambition.

However, it will remain a mystery why it has taken so long for Josephsson to adopt his own vocals into his shimmering synthscapes, as it helps move the Stafrænn Hákon sound from the early lo-fi style recordings and into the epic, atmospheric ambient rock realm. His whsipered vocals on "P-Rofi" recall Coldplay's Chris Martin, while on "Kvef" he delivers a performance worthy of Thom Yorke in tone, style and melody. The vocals seem to transport his songs onto a different plain. The music seems more expansive, on "Gummi", than previous outings like "Ventill/Poki", as Josephsson appears to be entering the stratospheres currently patrolled by Sigur Rós.

"Járn", one of the few instrumentals, is a lavish album opener, featuring resplendent harpsichord arrangements and swelling organ sounds. It seems attention to detail during the recording process has paid off for Josephsson and his collective. A beautiful start, "Járn" will appeal to fans of the bittersweet sounds of The Album Leaf. But it is album closer, "Veggur", that provides the spine-tingling moment that seems to be building from the first few seconds of this disc. Hook-laden vocal harmonies tower above majestic instrumentation around the half-way mark and can only be described as glorious and a fitting end to a striking album.

A definite career high, "Gummi" is a grandiose statement from an immensely talented musician. Rich in instrumentation and choc full of gorgeous, chiming melodies, Stafrænn Hákon have created an album that has timeless written all over it.

Track Listing

1. Járn
2. Svefn
3. P-rofi
4. Rjúpa
5. Hausi
6. Kvef
7. Þurr Þurr
8. Glussi
9. Veggur