It was in 2013 that we last wrote about Ólöf Arnalds when reviewing her album Sudden Eleveation. Since 2015, she’s been busy with other creative projects that include founding the grassroots cultural space Mengi in Reykjavík, working as a copywriter, as well as raising her son and step-daughter, and collaborating with her long-time friend (and now husband) Skúli Sverrisson.
That changed this week when the Icelandic singer announced her new album, Spíra, due out December 5th via Bella Union. The album is both a return to form and a bold step forward for Arnalds. Known for her mesmerizing soprano and delicate instrumentation, Arnalds has captivated audiences for decades, weaving narratives that are both personal and mythological. Spíra also captures this essence, exploring themes of creativity, love, and healing, often using rich natural imagery.
The first single, “Tár í morgunsárið” (“Tears at Dawn”), is a hauntingly beautiful track where Arnalds reflects on the void left after she renounced Catholicism as a teenager. Even for non-believers, the song’s poignant lyrics resonate, touching on the spiritual emptiness that can exist in a modern, commodified world. The new album, exclusively in Icelandic, harkens back to her acclaimed 2007 debut, Við og við, with stripped-back, intimate arrangements.
Spíra is produced by Skúli Sverrisson, whose impressive resume includes work with Laurie Anderson and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The music is a masterclass in subtlety, proving that less is often more. Arnalds’s songs deal with universal human experiences—the struggle of creativity, the challenges and joys of familial relationships, and the quest for inner peace. In Spíra, Arnalds channels these experiences into a collection of songs that seem as likely to promote healing for the listener as they do for her in their creation. This album will no doubt prove to be a testament to the power of artistic resilience as well as a stunning addition to her already stellar discography.
Spíra Tracklisting
1. Heimurinn núna
2. Von um mildi
3. Stein fyrir stein
4. Spíra
5. Vorkoma
6. Tár í morgunsárið
7. Úfinn sjór
8. Afl þitt og hús
9. Lifandi
Pre-Order Spíra: https://bfan.link/spira