Sigur Rós

Sigur Rós – Hvarf / Heim

Comprised of two separate EP’s, Iceland’s Sigur Rós highlights the two distinct aspects of their recorded sound: their expansive, monumental compositions that climb to massive codas versus meticulously arranged, lullaby-like songs whose very fragility underscore it with attentive power. Hvarf captures the dramatic grandeur of Sigur Rós with five older titles, three of which having never been captured to disc. “Hafsol” from the group’s debut Von, is recaptured, rising from a its opening subtle drone to an apex of bombastic drums, strings played with blurring hands, and a full harmonic range emitting from your speaker. Heim or “home” is Sigur Rós re-imagined as a chamber orchestra. Recorded live within odd venues across Iceland (darkened caves, deserted fish factories), many of which lacked electrical power, there is pure beauty in translating their monolithic sound into the natural world. With assistance from string quartet Amiina, Sigur Rós accents the gentle beauty of their songs that become as tranquil as snowfall, as intimate as a whisper. Recommended.