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Stunning Icelandic Atmospherics

Iceland is well known for its traditions of creating bold, creative atmospheric music, and Daniel Agust continues this role in fine style. 'Someone Who Swallowed A Star' begins with a swelling tribal vocal chorus and fragile glockenspiel sounds before the earthy, deep string sounds finally announce the beginning of Agust's echoing vocals which are spot on for the eerie, organic atmosphere.

'The Moss' creates a rippling jazz vibe through quirkily plucked cello and a rhythm that's bound to get you to your feet. Similarly 'The Stingray' creates a dark tune that still manages to overflow with movement and compulsive rhythm.

'Nobody Else' returns to the strained, dramatic strings that, with the most natural sound effects of snatched sighs acting to moderate the rhythm, excels into a beautiful mixture of melancholic and abstract sound.

'The Gray' has a beautiful baroque insistence driven by the cello, before it mellows into longing pauses, while 'Intersection' is an engaging instrumental that shimmers and crashes full of tension.

Single 'If You Leave Me Now' bristles with excitable sound effects and flows with rich strings and buoyant vocals that radiate positivity. 'Sparks Fly' is a soaring ballad that aches with tender violins and wispy vocals. Closer 'Love And Respect' builds up an ethereal magnificence, which is quite otherworldly and only countered by the deep vocal utterances.

This is a record that has been a long time in coming from the GusGus frontman, and it's certainly been worth the wait. A vibrant atmosphere seems to engulf the listener and make them tingle along with the fragile strings and beautiful vocals. Complex melodies entwine and shoot like flowers towards the sky as the instruments dance and combine with each other to make 'Swallowed A Star' an intense and fascinating album.