Mesmeric, soundscaped beauty from Icelandic natives Blindfold
‘Faking dreams’ the latest album by Icelandic natives Blindfold released 3rd of August, lives up to its name in every way. With its sleepy, hypnogogic mix of sweeping chords and searing guitar, the ten tracks slide and merge together to create a stunning LP, that feels somewhere between waking life and a dreamlike state of unconsciousness. At times there are the familiar and reminiscent tones of Sigur Ros and Radiohead, but there is just enough uniqueness to forgo the brand of the copycat act. It quickly becomes apparent that Blindfold are a force onto themselves.
Comprising of five members who share equal merit in pulling all musical elements together in perfect synchronicity the album switches and changes between the smooth lines of synths, the rough edges of guitar and the seductive strokes of a cello. And if this review is sounding too laden with synesthetic imagery, blame it on the power of ‘Faking Dreams’. Straight from the first play it has the ability to transport the listener to a heightened place, even if it is only for the duration of the ten tracks. It’s a journey none the less, and one that any self confessed audiophile should take.
Track one ‘Falleg Depuro’ is a marker for what to expect from the rest of the forty-eight minutes of this soundscaped dream. It is soft, yet bold at the same time. Purposefully slow paced and thoughtful, with each element brought in at exactly the right time, it still manages to push itself into a forward momentum. Interestingly we find from the beginning that Front man Biggi has chosen to sing in English, presumably to reach a wider audience or perhaps even to distinguish the band from their geographical counterparts, Sigur Ros. This neither adds, nor takes away from the end result of ‘Faking Dreams’ as often the lyrics seem incomprehensible and indeed, irrelevant. But it should continue the ongoing discussion as to why musicians so often choose to sing in English rather than in their native language.
Fifth track ‘Wait’ begins with a slow soft patter of strummed guitar with an echoed effect. It is incredibly simple but this only heightens the track, drawing us into a melancholic state of quiet reflection. Follower ‘ Don’t think it’s a Sin’ continues this feeling with the added inclusion of Biggi’s heavenly vocals. Lyrics such as, ‘don’t have any feelings, because it doesn’t mean anything’ almost seem oxymoronic amid the highly emotive mixture of instrumental parts which whip and weave through your senses. ‘Caffeine and Sleeping pills’ (a definitive Emo title if there ever was one) is indeed possible the most ‘Emo’ based of all the tracks. There is the searing sweep of strummed guitar and a steady drumbeat from the offset, but if this genre isn’t your cup of tea, there’s no need to be discouraged. Blindfold manage to provide their own take on proceedings perfectly and the song will not disappoint.
Second from last track ‘Confused’ is the one that truly cements Blindfold as a band to sit up and take notice of. Radiohead-esque and filled with synthesized pitch changes, this song can genuinely be described as remarkable. It is leftfield, strange and yet beautiful and while listeners with a different ear, who appreciate opposing genres might find this all too much, or even downright annoying, those who are no strangers to the dreamlike world of soundscape, may just find themselves reduced to delirious tears.
So what conclusion should be written for such a remarkable album other than a reiteration of what has previously been explained? Well, only this. If you ever feel like there is something missing in your life, if your day has been unfulfilled, buy this album and listen to its contents and rest assured. You will find something truly magical beneath.