Arnalds’ latest offering once again evokes the ocean, except that, where once we teetered on cliffs looking down at it, Some Kind of Peace sees us now enveloped by its quiet depths.
On Some Kind Of Peace, Arnalds has once again crafted an genre-defining album that serves as a much needed moment of reflection.
A late year treasure that shouldn't be overlooked, it is as timely as it is timeless, and as needed now as any musical work of the last year or so.
Succeeding 2018's gimmicky algorithmic re:member, Some Kind Of Peace gives shape to lockdown with simpatico collaborators: Brighton's Bonobo on fuzzy opener Loom and the Bjork-delicate vocal of JFDR aka Jofridur Akadottir, icing a patted drumbeat and digital finger clicks on Back To The Sky.
Even with the occasional programmed drums, some kind of peace is a consistently tranquil set, with enough shape and variety to the tracks to stave off ambient or easy listening claims.
2020 has been the most chaotic, unpredictable, and uncomfortable year of our lives for many- a chaotic election (if you live in the US), a global pandemic, and a somewhat restrictive quarantine have left us questioning if we’ll ever feel peace any time in the near future. It’s upended our daily routines, our way of living, and what we take for granted in life. Everything is in turmoil. And that is the world that Ólafur Arnalds’ “some kind of peace” makes its ... read more
A contemporary to the likes of Nils Frahm, Max Richter and Eluvium, who combine Modern Classical compositions with Electronic flourishes and atmospheres akin to Ambient music, Ólafur Arnalds hasn't quite seen the same level of attention. He is probably most well known for composing the Soundtrack to the 3 seasons of Broadchurch, a critically acclaimed Crime Drama starring David Tennant and Olivia Coleman.
While his Post-Rock leaning debut Eulogy for Evolution did garner some praise in ... read more
Incredible piece of work, this is a perfect timing for a release like "some kind of peace", which reflects clearly the mood set in the entire LP. I can't wait to put this album to fall asleep.
FAVORITE TRACK: New Grass
I have nothing bad to say about this LP. Just sitting down and listening to this project, focusing all of your attention to the music is an amazing experience, I get the feeling of floating through space. This is peak instrumental music. "Loom" is one of my top all time favorite songs. I'm not quite sure why I connected so strongly to this project, but it really is incredible.
Sounds like the soundtrack to a medieval open world RPG.
I never thought that music could be so beautiful but here we are. This album is a collection of somber piano ballads filled with glistening, heavenly strings and violins that make you feel at ease with the world. Being released during a time of chaos and uncertainty, this music directly opposes the feeling that was happening around it when being conceived, being slow, and methodical, unlike the world at the time.
Classical music isn't a ... read more
1 | Loom 3:46 feat. Bonobo | 67 |
2 | Woven Song 3:10 | 74 |
3 | Spiral 3:20 | 67 |
4 | Still / Sound 4:13 | 62 |
5 | Back to the Sky 3:23 feat. JFDR | 75 |
6 | Zero 4:26 | 68 |
7 | New Grass 4:02 | 66 |
8 | The Bottom Line 4:02 feat. Josin | 68 |
9 | We Contain Multitudes 3:18 | 65 |
10 | Undone 5:03 | 69 |
#37 | / | Rough Trade |
#46 | / | NPR Music |