Ásgeir shares gorgeous new single ‘Snowblind (Lo-Fi Version)’
Album ‘Time on My Hands (Lo-Fi Version)’ out September 8th via One Little Independent Records
As one of Iceland’s most successful exports, singer-songwriter Ásgeir has always pushed the boundaries of his thoughtful brand of folk-pop. On his new lo-fi interpretation of the album ‘Time On My Hands’, he’s captured an authentic style by recording acoustically, direct to a four-track tape recorder. The rework album is out on September 8th on One Little Independent Records.
‘Time On My Hands’ saw Ásgeir in a state of self-reflection and experimentation, having spent much of the last few years in his home and in the studio deeply engrossed in writing, recording, translating and producing. It was praised by The Independent, MOJO, NME, The Line Of Best Fit, Clash Magazine, BBC 6 Music and Radio X.
A strong breeze carries us into full flight with his new single ‘Snowblind (Lo-Fi Version)’, a track that boasts an unforgettable climatic arrangement.
Ásgeir tells us; “The idea was to do an acoustic lo-if version of the album and to detox from all the production and computer use. We used an old 4 track cassette recorder, sometimes recorded straight on to the cassettes and sometimes we ran audio from Pro Tools and through the recorder to get that flavour. It’s very lo-fi sounding and didn’t take a lot of time to make, which was the objective, not to overthink anything and just move on. Some of the songs sound almost like demos while others are more developed, with string arrangements written by Þórður Magnússon and some overdubbed guitars or synths.”
On ‘Time on My Hands (Lo-Fi Version)’, he’s shifted his interest in the layered production of the original album towards a more stripped back meditation, and it’s no less compelling. In fact, new tracks are elevated and enchanting, with a serenity and an intimacy that can only come from this kind of recording process. Gentle, contemplative acoustics underpin his effortlessly harmonised falsetto. These tracks carry a wistful yet soothing quality, with subtle additional textures providing depth.
The rolling landscapes aesthetic of ‘Time On My Hands’ was inspired by Ásgeir’s own relationship with music over the last few years, consuming mostly while he was running outdoors, or while on long drives. He says that “some of the albums or music that stand out from that time were Caribou’s album Suddenly, Caroline Polachek’s Pang, Dijon, Altopalo, Big Thief, Michael Kiwanuka, Sault, Ethan Gruska, Blake Mills and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. This music probably has something to do with how the record came out, combined with earlier influences”.
Through the gentle rhythms and sparking tonality this intricate landscape opens up and consumes the audience. The atmosphere shifts with the standout vocal harmonies and the influx of emotive movement. The striking and soulful vocal melody swoons over the complex yet creative structure, whilst the listener fixates on the expressive values, the looping rhythms explore a more infectious identity.
‘Time on My Hands (Lo-Fi Version)’ was recorded in Studio Hljóðrit where Ásgeir has always recorded, working closely with producer Guðmundur Kristinn Jónsson.
Tracklist
Time On My Hands (Lo-Fi Version)
Borderland (Lo-Fi Version)
Snowblind (Lo-Fi Version)
Vibrating Walls (Lo-Fi Version)
Blue (Lo-Fi Version)
Giantess (Lo-Fi Version)
Like I Am (Lo-Fi Version)
Waiting Room (Lo-Fi Version)
Golden Hour (Lo-Fi Version)
Limitless (Lo-Fi Version)
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