Jóhann Jóhannsson - Englabörn

One of Iceland’s more prolific and creative musicians - no small achievement given the wealth of talent to emerge from the frozen nation in recent years - Jóhann Jóhannsson moulds poignant, crafted neo-classical music from minimal ingredients for maximum effect. 'Englabörn' was among his first recordings. Originally intended as the musical accompaniment to a theatre piece of the same name in 2002, the work was reshaped into a standalone album and has been re-released by the 4AD label. In its present incarnation the piece is performed by a string quartet, accompanied by delicate piano, organ, glockenspiel and percussion, with these core elements shaded by slight electronic manipulation to give form to otherwise totally acoustic recordings. The results are filled with grandeur, giving panoramic views of the frozen tundra. Few countries on earth can be as inspirational as Iceland, with artists, including Sigur Ros and Múm, taking the frozen expanse of the wilderness and translating it into widescreen epic music. Also a co-founder of the Kitchen Motors label - which includes the aforementioned artists as well as Slowblow – Jóhannsson has created a timeless wonder with 'Englabörn'. It is a bittersweet tale without words, filled with drama, scope and wonder in equal measure. The work could be considered a cousin of Godspeed you! Black Emperor’s ‘Lift Your Skinny Fists Life Antennas to Heaven’, with the strings to the fore, setting the plot and tone of the piece, with the remaining instruments used for embellishment. The opening three pieces, ‘Odi et Amo’, ‘Englabörn’ and ‘Joi & Karen’ all follow similar lines, setting the scene for what is about to unfold. Computerised semi-vocals whisper over string sweeps, painting a vivid picture of natural wonder. This theme is dominant throughout the album; utilizing electronic equipment to enhance acoustic recordings, to give the impression of a hyper-reality, a more defined and enhanced version of fact. All the pieces are relatively short, offering glimpses into a hundred different worlds before subsiding back into shadow. Only with ‘Sálfræthingur’ and ‘Eg Sleppi þÉr Aldrei’ does the pace quicken to give the impression of a chase across the countryside. Here Jóhannsson uses the violence of the original Hávar Sigurjónsson play to expand the pallet of sound he employs. Although brief the pieces give a sense of explosive power in addition to the languid stings, as though battle has been bought upon a peaceful community. The crystallized and pure Nordic sounds come under attack from an unknown enemy, forcing them to quicken and adapt, adding additional layers of dynamism to the recordings. The battle between these two elements continues during the course of 'Englabörn'. The enigmatic charm and porcelain beauty which was characterised by the strings at the outset of the album constantly comes under threat from the buzzing, swirling darkness of the unidentified enemies. Each track becomes an episode in this battle, leaving the listener to hope for the best, while all the time fearing the worst. While beauty and serenity may be the key themes of the work, there is no guarantee they will endure the onslaught of their attackers. The 16 pieces contained within 'Englabörn' are short, mere shards of light in the darkness, offering a world of variety. At times the music is gay with joy, giving a sense of victory over adversity. At others it is tumultuous with uncertainty, with the listener left unclear as to the victor of the struggle. Overall, however, the piece contains great ambition, but a subtle delicacy. It shows an artist aware of his destination, with enough freedom and ambition to take detours to add colour and shape to the journey. A rewarding listen.

Track Listing:-

1 Odi Et Amo
2 Englabörn
3 Jói & Karen
4 Þetta Gerist Á Bestu Bæjum
5 Sálfræðingur
6 "Ég Sleppi Þér Aldrei"
7 Sálfræðingur Deyr
8 Bað
9 "Ég Heyrði Allt Án Þess Að Hlusta"
10 Karen Býr Til Engil
11 Englabörn - Tilbrigði
12 "Ég Átti Gráa Æsku"
13 Krókódíll
14 "Ef Ég Hefði Aldrei..."
15 …Eins Og Venjulegt Fólk
16 Odi Et Amo - Bis