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CD
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RES 019CD
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"A debut of sorts on Resonant, from yet another Icelandic artist; Prince Valium put the 'um' in Sk/um, the duo responsible for the fine IDM electronica mini-album I Thagu Fallsins in early 2003, alongside Skurken (the 'sk' half). Working both as a partnership and as individuals since then, Andlaus (meaning 'without breath') is the first material from the Sk/um members to see the light of day, so to speak, since the Sk/um release. This sees Valium -- 30 year old Thorsteinn Olafsson -- take a step back from the Plaid-style playful electronics of old, instead leaning notably towards epic soundscapes utilizing both real instruments (guitar being predominant here) and his computer, to create what is ultimately an ambient album in essence. Mostly instrumental -- the exception being the breathtaking female vocal-led second track 'Crying Hearts' -- 'Andlaus' is stunning, evocative and overwhelming, with widescreen production that belies its bedroom origins."
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