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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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RES 017CD
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"Long awaited third album from the much-loved Canadian slowcore outfit, three years on from the Missionless Days longplayer that was released alongside their first UK/Ireland tour as main support to Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The time between then and now has seen many line-up changes, with drummer Mike Sheridan moving on and, more recently, multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Gara being recruited by band-of-the-moment Arcade Fire as drummer/guitarist -- but not before this album was recorded. Attic Salt displays a maturity that makes it a distant relative from their astonishing F**k Fight Fail and Missionless Days albums. While still predominantly downbeat, the band introduces a subtle growl to a few upbeat numbers. The hushed, affecting, emotive vocals of Samir Khan remain a constant though, and his delivery accentuates the strength of their songwriting, which undoubtedly hits new heights on this album."
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RES 015CD
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"Whip is the solo project of Timesbold's Jason Merritt, and functions as an outlet for some of his less band-oriented musings; those that are better served by more sparse, minimal arrangements. His second full-length as Whip, Atheist Lovesongs To God is the result of a prolonged period of solitude towards the end of 2003 when, having just returned from a tour with Timesbold, Merritt simply shut himself into his home in Brooklyn, and stayed there. The recurring theme throughout the album is hinted at in the title; Whip's inability to allow any sort of God into his life, while harbouring an overwhelming need for the sense of solace and security that it may provide."
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RES 013CD
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"Yet another stunning debut album on Resonant, building on their success in 2004 (with Stafraenn Hakon, who plays on this album, and others) with arguably their strongest release schedule in the five years since the label was conceived. Blindfold is the alias of Biggi from Ampop, and is the latest in a long line of Icelandic artists to record for Resonant; however, while retaining the atmospherics and serenity of the output of many of his fellow countrymen, this eponymous collection has little in common musically with his compatriots. In fact, Blindfold is rather difficult to classify; ultimately, this is very accessible melancholic electronic pop with an acoustic element -- melodic but backed with sparse, emotive, organic, textured arrangements, coming across on the whole as understated, warm and earnest. Direct comparisons are therefore hard to draw, with only maybe Piano Magic (circa Artist's Rifles) and Tarwater springing to mind, and with the two achingly fragile vocal numbers that segment the album reminiscent of Maximillian Hecker."
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RES 009CD
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"After two full-lengths on Resonant, the much-lauded Stafraenn Hakon is about to step up proceedings with this, his first new material in two years -- on the back of the success and acclaim that met the aforementioned Skvettir Edik a Ref and I Astaandi Rjupunnar both of which were 'old' albums deservedly seeing light of day for the first time beyond his native Iceland. Whereas those two were effectively home recordings using basic instruments and means, Ventill/Poki is the end result of a week in a studio in England with the help of fellow Resonant artist Dialect, using live bass and drums sounding like the product of a band rather than one guy. That said, crucially it retains the 'feel' of his previous work, and is more potent and powerful rather than allowing anything to get lost in the mix. Coming on like a hybrid of Labradford, Sigur Ros and Mogwai and finishing up with one of the finest bodies of work within the ambient/post-rock sub-genre in years, this album seems certain to elevate Olafur Josephsson's musical alias into the esteemed company of his most obvious peers in terms of status."
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RES 008CD
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"Burgeoning UK leftfield label Resonant debuts yet another artist -- and once again, Olvis is Icelandic: their fourth musician from those shores. Following the electronic forays of Borko and Sk/um. and more recently the much-lauded digital post-rock soundscapes of Stafrann Hakon, Olvis' music inhabits a more easily-defined territory, concentrating almost solely on warm, engaging guitar based instrumental pieces -- very accessible but without being generic or staid in any way. The first release of 25 year-old Orlygur Thor Orlygsson, this also features contributions from several leading lights on the vibrant Reykjavik music scene, but the album is essentially the work of one man: all written, recorded and played by Orlygur, with drums and synth added by his guests."
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RES 004CD
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"The second Icelandic release on Resonant also heralds the label's second foray into the realms of electronica: following the majestic Borko EP from early 2002 comes more Grade A output, with this flawless, varied and engaging mini-album. This is the debut release from Reyjkavik-based producers Sk/um. aka Skurken and Prince Valium, aka Johann Omarsson and Thorstein Olafsson. Available on ultra-limited 8-track LP and 9-track CD (CD includes an exclusive remix by Arnar Helgi of the opening track 'Tornatar') and clocking in at 30 minutes-plus. I Thagu Fallsins (loosely translated as 'For The Fall') expands on the established template for the genre and remains endearing and accessible throughout, without ever becoming generic or mundane."
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RES 003CD
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"Latest Resonant album project and undoubtedly the most 'out there' yet; this is the debut release by Vancouver-based prodigy Szam Findlay, eight years in the making and without parallel in the current musical climate. Defying categorization, Die Hautfabrik (loosely translated as 'Factory Of Flesh') is equal parts Wagner, Vangelis, Autechre and Einsturzende Neubauten, resulting in a compelling longplayer of contemporary classical music underpinned with minimal, glitchy electronics. Seven tracks, with a total running time of 72mins-plus, and housed in truly one of the most impressive sleeves you've seen in a long, long time -- featuring a 14-page steel ring-bound booklet of sculpture by artist Dandilion Schlase augmented by heavy uncoated stock, housed in a thick card sleeve -- and all put together and bagged by the artist."
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RESONANT 005EP
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Reissue of the stunning first release by Borko, now signed to Morr Music. "Majestic EP of fragile, organic electronica from a small rural community near Reyjkavik, Iceland, the debut release from a hirsute young man named Bjorn Kristjansson. As Borko he delivers four subtle, melodic & engaging tracks which come across as if they were soundtracks to fairytales: gentle and serene, evolving slowly and beautifully. Produced with the guidance & expertise of his close friends from his home town, the EP echoes the work of Tugboat/Fat Cat artists Múm without being derivative or lacking an identity of its own."
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