Amiina

Amiina – Kurr

Arriving out of Iceland with a resume that name checks their native cousins Sigur Ros as well as glockenspiel lover Sufjan Stevens, the four ladies of Amiina now daintily rap at the doors of a larger audience with a sound that is as delicate as it is arresting. Kurr (Icelandic for “cooing”) opens with a gentle refrain that couples toned orchestra bells with perfectly tuned plucked strings, a mesmerizing organic intonation reminiscent of Brian Eno’s ambient endeavors. Swirling a mix of violin, cellos, and atmospheric electronics together with wordless voicing and an array of oft-overlooked instrumental sounds (the chime of tuned water glasses to the tremulous warble of a singing saw), Amiina weave melodies into either euphony compositions such as the richly layered soft horns of “Bláfeldur”, or mini sonic investigations as on “Lúpína” where detuning strings segue way into the fat raindrop sounds of a thumbed Kalimba. All of which is an entirely relaxing bliss.