Available for download now. Click here.
For a small island nation adrift in the far reaches of the world, Iceland has one of the finest independent music scenes. Not surprisingly the sounds that drift from their shores mirror the landscape of the country: otherworldly and mysterious. Recently signed to prestigious label Wall of Sound, Sykur are the latest Icelandic electronic band to make waves in foreign lands. More mainstream and radio friendly than previous musical outfits from the land of fire and ice, a la Sigur Ros and Seabear, Sykur’s natural place will be in the company of ravers. But their debut EP, Mesópótamía is no bog standard clubbing record. Their sound is more enigmatic, dripping in smooth beats as Agnes Björt Andradóttir’s glacial vocals soar over.
Opener Messy Hair kicks things off with aplomb; the beats come thick and fast as a catchy chorus hooks you in and doesn’t let up. This upbeat mood continues on Curling, with ensnaring synth pop hooks wrapped around gripping lyrics delivered in Andradóttir’s commanding voice. At the halfway mark Mesópótamía changes pace and slows things right down for the oddly named track Battlestar, before petering out on the EP’s closer Hvitvin in anti-climactic fashion. It doesn’t matter though, there’s plenty to enjoy here. Sykur are onto a winning synth pop formula. Expect great things from them in the future.