Country : Iceland Label : Mercury KX Genres and styles : Electronic / Neoclassical Year : 2020

Some Kind of Peace

· by Alain Brunet

So why is Ólafur Arnalds such a huge success? Why does this Icelandic drummer and guitarist, a convert to neo-chamber music, fill large halls and touch hundreds of thousands of music lovers around the world? It’s already been laid out, having worked very well for him since at least 2007. Just in case, here’s the recipe again: delicate melodies, economy of harmonic modulations, very simple structures for strings stroked or plucked by high-end, classically trained musicians, finely chiselled electronic ornaments, a few guests in this case – the singers Jófríður Ákadóttir and Josin, the DJ and composer Bonobo. No matter how hard one looks, this new album doesn’t reveal much about Arnalds’ art. These chamber works are losing their substance over the course of the 14 recordings (albums and EPs) under his signature, the freshness and emotional charge of his proposals gradually giving way to impressions of bathos and boredom. As time goes by, Arnalds is still surfing on the same equations, and may eventually run out of waves. If this once-inspired composer does not make the necessary effort to flesh out his orchestral discourse and get out of his comfort zone, he’s doomed to repeat himself.

Latest 360 Content

Classica 2025 Presented by Marc Boucher: Women’s Cellos

Classica 2025 Presented by Marc Boucher: Women’s Cellos

Classica 2025 presented by Marc Boucher: The Köln Concert String Quartet

Classica 2025 presented by Marc Boucher: The Köln Concert String Quartet

Viagra Boys – viagr aboys

Viagra Boys – viagr aboys

Le Vivier: many skills, few surprises

Le Vivier: many skills, few surprises

SAT’s Substrat Sound Series: IRLʼs soundscapes

SAT’s Substrat Sound Series: IRLʼs soundscapes

The two voices of Bells Larsen, for the first and last time

The two voices of Bells Larsen, for the first and last time

Karma Glider – Love Bleeds

Karma Glider – Love Bleeds

Salle Bourgie 2025-26: we talk to the artistic director and general manager about the next season

Salle Bourgie 2025-26: we talk to the artistic director and general manager about the next season

Bells Larsen – Blurring Time

Bells Larsen – Blurring Time

Anika – Abyss

Anika – Abyss

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds hold ceremonial court at Place Bell

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds hold ceremonial court at Place Bell

Black Country, New Road – Forever Howlong

Black Country, New Road – Forever Howlong

OSM | A Morning of Lightness

OSM | A Morning of Lightness

Dead Meadow – Voyager to Voyager

Dead Meadow – Voyager to Voyager

Natalia Lafourcade – Cancionera

Natalia Lafourcade – Cancionera

Ribbon Skirt – Bite Down

Ribbon Skirt – Bite Down

The Waterboys – Life, Death And Dennis Hopper

The Waterboys – Life, Death And Dennis Hopper

Melvins 1983 – Thunderball

Melvins 1983 – Thunderball

Vox Sambou – Hayti Lives

Vox Sambou – Hayti Lives

Corie Rose Soumah & Hypercube at Le Vivier: So Much Material… Skill

Corie Rose Soumah & Hypercube at Le Vivier: So Much Material… Skill

African American Sound Recordings at SAT : Noise Floor

African American Sound Recordings at SAT : Noise Floor

Sylis d’or 2025 Final: Salsa Ahead of Afro-Colombian Roots and Réunionese Maloya

Sylis d’or 2025 Final: Salsa Ahead of Afro-Colombian Roots and Réunionese Maloya

Subscribe to our newsletter