If records all had a note with them to say ‘This record will be best played while your..‘, Utidur‘s (Pronounced Ohh! Detour) 7 inch debut effort would read; ‘This record would be best played while your on a high and want to stay there.’
The darker, more mournful moments of this EP are only there to remind you that the happier moments are to be appreciated more, it is possibly the sweetest record i’ve heard in ten years.
The Icelandic 12 piece delivers layers and layers of folk and jazz with a child-like pop innocence, from the Sufjan Stevens’ hum of ‘The Glow/Reteat‘ to the Calexico urgency of ‘This Mess‘, with even prettier and more intricate imagery.
I think ‘This Mess‘ should ultimately be played in no better place than running through narrow Parisian streets with huge red and white awnings, whilst being chased by an angry mob, downing a bottle of best red wine in your retreat. Obsure I know, but I’d be willing for this scenario to happen if I could have this played in my ear as I run. It is my favourite of the six song effort and one of my favourite songs of this year so far.
I’ve always been a sucker for slide guitar and it is used to minimalist perfection in ‘Until Mourning‘ with horns and strings until the singing duo that is Gunnar Örn and Kristinn Roach pipe up with strong harmonies leaving enough space to appreciate the arrangements.
I’ll really look forward to more of this playful, creative bands work, if only to imagine where they should be played.
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Post by the photogenic Thom.
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