Acclaimed Icelandic singer-songwriter Ólöf Arnalds is set to return next month with her new album, Spíra, scheduled for release on December 5th via Bella Union. Following the first single “Tár í morgunsárið” (“Tears at Dawn”), Arnalds has shared a second offering, the captivating new single “Heimurinn núna” (“Our World Now”). The track, which premieres today with a new video, is described as a love song that is playful on the surface but touches on deeper themes of faith, responsibility, and neurodiversity, all set against the scenery of midsummer.
Arnalds has long been a singular voice in Icelandic music, known for her “distinctive soprano voice” and mesmerising, intimate performances. After gaining international attention with the band múm, her 2007 solo debut Við og við became a celebrated classic. Her work has drawn high praise, including from Björk, who famously described Arnalds as “somewhere between a child and an old woman.”
Spíra (which translates to “Sprout”) marks a significant return for Arnalds, rekindling her joy in songwriting after a period focused on other projects. The new album is a return to the intimate roots of her debut: it is sung exclusively in Icelandic, features markedly stripped-back arrangements, and was mostly recorded in single takes.
The album is produced by her husband and long-time collaborator, Skúli Sverrisson, with contributions from pianist Davíð Þór Jónsson and conjures powerful images from sparse instrumentation.
The album’s themes centre on the challenges and joys of creativity as well as familial love.
Spíra is available for pre-order now: https://bfan.link/spira