Ólöf Arnalds

Add Date: January 12

Artist: Ólöf Arnalds

Album: Við Og Við

Label: One Little Indian

Genre: Folk

Comments: Ólöf Arnalds (of semi-recent playlist darlings Múm) delivers an enchanting record of spare acoustic numbers that sound like they could be the demos of a Joanna Newsom record (and be on the lookout for that actual record later this year). Arnalds is Icelandic, which is very apparent upon first listen to the words of Við Og Við, but don't let the language barrier keep you away: This is wonderful music that has already been circulating across the sea and Arnalds has already played with folks like Blonde Redhead, The Dirty Projectors, and fellow Icelandar Björk.

The first three tracks are sad and lilting, but listen to the record all the way through and you will not be disappointed. This is the kind of stuff that Starbucks wishes it could sell at its stores. I don't even mind hunting through the character map on my computer to be faithful to the Icelandic language, since Arnalds sings it so well.

[Note: Ólöf is pronounced "O-luff" and the album's title is "Veeth o' Veeth"]