Tag Archives: Iceland

John Grant: Boy From Michingan

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On June 25, 2022, “Partisan” label released “Boy from Michigan”, the fifth John Grant studio album. It was recorded 2020 – 2021, at “Green House Studios” in Reykjavik, Iceland, “Hljóðriti Studios” in Hafnarfjörður, in Iceland, and was produced by Cate Le Bon and John Grant.

Personnel:

  • John Grant – vocals, vocoder, piano, synthesizer, synth-bass, synthesizer programming, drum programming, mixing
  • Cate Le Bon – guitar, bass, saxophone, clarinet, synthesizer, synth-bass, percussion, arrangements
  • Paul Alexander – bass
  • Stella Mozgawa – drums, percussion, drum programming
  • Euan Hinshelwood – saxophone
  • Stephen Black – clarinet, saxophone
  • Matt Pence – engineer
  • Samur Khouja – engineer, mixing
  • Heba Kadry – mastering
  • Gil Corral – portraits
  • Scott King – art direction
  • Casey Raymond – artwork
  • Rob Israel – artwork
  • Rhys Atkinson – design

Track listing:

All tracks by John Grant.

  1. Boy from Michigan
  2. County Fair
  3. The Rusty Bull
  4. The Cruise Room
  5. Mike and Julie
  6. Best in Me
  7. Rhetorical Figure
  8. Just So You Know
  9. Dandy Star
  10. Your Portfolio
  11. The Only Baby
  12. Billy

Sigur Rós: Átta

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On June 16, 2023, “Von Dur” and “BMG Rights Management” labels released “Átta”, the eight Sigur Rós studio album. It was recorded in 2022, at “Sundlaugin” in Mosfellsbær, Iceland, “Abbey Road Studios” in London, and was produced by Paul Corley, Jón Birgisson, Georg Hólm and Kjartan Sveinsson.

Personnel:

  • Jón Birgisson – vocals, guitar, string arrangements, synthesizer, engineer
  • Kjartan Sveinsson – piano, synthesizer, harpsichord, hurdy gurdy, vibraphone, string arrangements, engineer
  • Georg Hólm – bass guitar, synthesizer, string arrangement, engineer
  • London Contemporary Orchestra – orchestra
  • Robert Ames – orchestra conductor
  • Ólafur Ólafsson – percussion
  • Eirikur Ólafsson – trumpet
  • Snorri Sigurðarson – trumpet
  • Ingi Erlendsson – trombone, tuba
  • Helgi Jónsson – trombone
  • María Sigfúsdóttir – violin
  • Paul Corley – engineer
  • Birgir Jón Birgisson – engineer
  • Chris Bolster – engineer
  • Farrokh Shroff – engineer
  • Freddie Light – engineer
  • Ivan Handwerk – engineer
  • Nate Haessly – engineer
  • PJ Munley – engineer
  • Zack Zajdel – engineer
  • Ted Jensen – mastering

Track listing:

All tracks by Jón Birgisson, Georg Hólm, and Kjartan Sveinsson.

  1. Glóð
  2. Blóðberg
  3. Skel
  4. Klettur
  5. Mór
  6. Andrá
  7. Gold
  8. Ylur
  9. Fall
  10. 8

Unknown Mortal Orchestra: Sex & Food

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On April 6, 2018, “Jagjaguwar” label released “Sex & Food”, the fourth Unknown Mortal Orchestra studio album. It was recorded 2016 – 2017, at “Panoram” in Mexico City, “Union” in Seoul, South Korea, “Phu Sa” in Hanoi, Vietnam, “Rasmus auga” in Reykjavik, Iceland, Ruban Nielson’ basement in Portland, Oregon, Kody Nielson’s home studio in Auckland, New Zealand, was produced by Ruban Nielson.

Personnel:

  • Ruban Nielson – vocals, guitars, bass, Rhodes piano, synthesizer, MPC, electric sitar, piano, drones, drums, percussion, strings, HC-TT, mixing
  • Jacob Portrait – bass, synthesizer, additional engineering, co-producer
  • Kody Nielson – drums, synthesizer, piano, percussion, additional engineering, co-producer
  • Quincy McCrary – organ
  • Chris Nielson – saxophone
  • Naomi Win – violin
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering
  • Neil Krug – cover art
  • Miles Johnson – layout

Track listing:

All tracks by Ruban Nielson, except where noted.

  1. A God Called Hubris – Ruban Nielson, Kody Nielson
  2. Major League Chemicals
  3. Ministry of Alienation
  4. Hunnybee – Ruban Nielson, Kody Nielson, Jacob Portrait
  5. Chronos Feasts on His Children
  6. American Guilt – Ruban Nielson, Kody Nielson, Jacob Portrait
  7. The Internet of Love (That Way)
  8. Everyone Acts Crazy Nowadays – Ruban Nielson, Kody Nielson
  9. This Doomsday
  10. How Many Zeros
  11. Not in Love We’re Just High
  12. If You’re Going to Break Yourself

Alcest: Shelter

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On January 17, 2014, “Prophecy Productions” label released “Shelter”, the fourth Alcest studio album. It was recorded in 2013, at “Sundlaugin Studio” in Iceland, and was produced by Birgir Jón Birgisson and Martin Koller.

Personnel:

  • Neige – vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion, glockenspiel
  • Winterhalter – drums, percussion
  • amiina – strings
  • Hildur Ársælsdóttir – violin
  • Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir – violin
  • Edda Rún Ólafsdóttir – viola
  • Sólrún Sumarliðadóttir – cello
  • Neil Halstead  – vocals
  • Billie Lindahl – choir, vocals
  • Birgir Jón Birgisson – arrangements, engineering, mixing
  • Elisabeth Carlsson – assistant
  • Joe LaPorta – mastering
  • Metastazis – layout
  • Valnoir – layout
  • Andy Julia – picture
  • William Lacalmontie – band photography
  • Antoine Nouel – assistant

Track listing:

All tracks by Neige.

  1. Wings
  2. Opale
  3. La nuit marche avec moi
  4. Voix sereines
  5. L’Éveil des muses
  6. Shelter
  7. Away
  8. Délivrance

Sigur Rós: Takk…

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On September 2, 2005, “Gefen” label released “Takk…” the fourth Sigur Rós studio album. It was recorded 2004 – 2005, at “Sundlaugin“ in Reykjavík, Iceland, and was produced by Kenneth Thomas, Jón Þór Birgisson, Kjartan Sveinsson, Georg Hólm and Orri Páll Dýrason.

Personnel:

  • Jón Þór Birgisson – vocals, guitar, design
  • Kjartan Sveinsson – keyboards
  • Georg Hólm – bass guitar
  • Orri Páll Dýrason – drums
  • Amiina – strings, string arrangement 
  • Ingrid Karlsdóttir – violin
  • Matthías Stefánsson – violin
  • Gréta Salóme Stefánsdóttir – violin
  • Stefanía Ólafsdóttir – viola
  • Eyjólfur Bjarni Alfreðsson – viola
  • Kristín Lárusdóttir – cello
  • Júlía Mogensen – cello
  • Samúel Jón Samúelsson – trombone
  • Össur Geirsson – tuba
  • Frank Aarnink – percussion
  • Álafosskórinn – choir
  • Kenneth Vaughan Thomas – engineering, mixing
  • Birgir Jón Birgisson – additional engineering
  • Ted Jensen – mastering
  • Ísak Winther – cover design
  • Alex Somers – cover design
  • Lukka Sigurðardóttir – cover design

Track listing:

All tracks by Jón Þór Birgisson, Kjartan Sveinsson, Georg Hólm and Orri Páll Dýrason.

  1. Takk
  2. Glósóli
  3. Hoppípolla
  4. Með blóðnasir
  5. Sé lest
  6. Sæglópur
  7. Mílanó
  8. Gong
  9. Andvari
  10. Svo hljótt
  11. Heysátan

Sigur Rós: Kveikur

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On June 12, 2013, “XL” label released “Kveikur”, the seventh Sigur Rós studio album. It was recorded 2012 – 2013, at “Sundlaugin Studio” in Mosfellsbær, Iceland, “Eldorado Recording Studios” in Burbank, California, “Pacifique Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Kjartan Sveinsson, Alex Somers,  Jón Þór Birgisson, Georg Hólm, and Orri Páll Dýrason.

Personnel:

  • Jón Þór Birgisson– vocals, guitar
  • Georg Hólm– bass
  • Orri Páll Dýrason– drums
  • Eiríkur Orri Ólafsson – brass arrangements
  • Daníel Bjarnason – stringarrangements
  • Sigrún Jónsdóttir – brass
  • Eiríkur Orri Ólafsson – brass
  • Bergrún Snæbjörnsdóttir – brass
  • Borgar Magnason – strings
  • Margrét Árnadóttir – strings
  • Pálína Árnadóttir – strings
  • Una Sveinbjarnardóttir – strings
  • Þórunn Ósk Marinósdóttir – strings

Track listing:

All tracks by Jón Þór Birgisson, Georg Hólm and Orri Páll Dýrason.

  1. Brennisteinn
  2. Hrafntinna
  3. Isjaki
  4. Yfirborð
  5. Stormur
  6. Kveikur
  7. Rafstraumur
  8. Bláþráður
  9. Var

Spiritualized: Sweet Heart Sweet Light

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On April 16, 2012, “Double Six” label released “Sweet Heart Sweet Light”, the seventh Spiritualized studio album. It was recorded in 2012, and was produced by Jason Pierce.

Personnel:

  • Spaceman (Jason Pierce) – vocals, Fender Thinline, Fender Jaguar, Fender Jazzmaster, Vox Starstream, Farfisa, melodica, harmonica, glockenspiel, Gibson L/00 acoustic, mixing
  • Tony ‘Doggen’ Foster – Gibson Les PaulGoldtop, Fender Jazzmaster, Fender Precision Bass, Fender VI
  • Kevin Bales – Gretch Round Badge, HaymanVibrasonic, Zildjian cymbals
  • Tom Edwards: piano, Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, Farfisa Compact, Vox Continental, Elkaorgan, percussion, timpani
  • Poppy Spaceman: vocals
  • John Coxon – Gibson Firebird
  • Romeo Stodart – vocals, banjo, Gibson 335
  • SJ Selby, Laura Dickenson, Melanie Nyema – vocals
  • Claudia Smith – vocals
  • Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir, Hildur Ársælsdóttir, Edda Rún Ólafsdóttir, Sólrún Sumarliðadóttir – string quartet (Iceland)
  • Emily Pringle, Sali-Wyn Ryan, Henrietta Ridgeon, Laura Anstee – string quartet (London)
  • Hildur Ársælsdóttir – saw
  • Evan Parker – alto saxophone
  • Finn Peters – tenor saxophone, flute
  • Tony Bevan – tenor saxophone
  • Ben Edwards – trumpet
  • James Adams – trombone, bass trombone
  • Osnat Schmool (director), Rathi Kumar (assistant director), Ashleigh Thompson, Bukky Abdul, Cathy Manning, Deborah Wilkes, Ian Jeanes, James Dee, Jeanette Bossman, Karyma Ellis, Kat Koch, Lauren Dyer, Louise Murphy, Lucy Bryant, Monika Pomeroy, Nicola Simpson, Phoenix Martins, Pippasha Khan, Rosie Blissett, Sandra Townsend, Sarah Dean, Sarah Wright, Simon Prag, Stefan Vitalis, Stuart Homer-Wright, Victoria Owusu, Usman Saidu – Roundhouse Choir
  • Tim Lewis, Scott Hackwith, Héctor Espinosa, Birgir Jón Birgisson, Anthony Leung, James Aparicio – recording
  • James Aparicio – mixing
  • Rupert Clervaux – post production
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering

Track listing:

All tracks by Jason Pierce except where noted.

  1. Huh? (Intro)
  2. Hey Jane
  3. Little Girl
  4. Get What You Deserve
  5. Too Late
  6. Headin’ for the Top Now
  7. Freedom
  8. I Am What I Am – Jason Pierce,  John
  9. Mary
  10. Life Is a Problem
  11. So Long You Pretty Thing – Jasn Pierce, Poppy Spaceman

Bonnie “Prince” Billy: The Letting Go

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On September 19, 2006, “Drag City” label released “The Letting Go”, the twelve Will Oldham (released under his moniker Bonnie “Prince” Billy) studio album. It was recorded in 2006, in Reykjavík, Iceland and produced by Valgeir Sigurðsson.

Personnel:

  • Dawn McCarthy– vocals
  • Emmett Kelly– guitar
  • Paul Oldham – bass
  • Jim White– drums
  • Valgeir Sigurdsson– recording, mixing

Track listing:

  1. Love Comes to Me
  2. Strange Form of Life
  3. Wai
  4. Cursed Sleep
  5. No Bad News
  6. Cold & wet
  7. Big Friday
  8. Lay and Love
  9. The Seedling
  10. Then the Letting Go
  11. God’s Small Song
  12. I Called You Back
  13. Ebb Tide (bonus on some versions)

Björk: Medúlla

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Medulla

On August 31, 2004, “One Little Indian” label released “Medúlla” the fifth Björk solo album. It was recorded at “Greenhouse” in Iceland, “Estúdio Ilha dos Sapos” in Brazil, “La Hoyita Studios” in Spain, and was produced by Björk and Mark Bell.

Personnel:

  • Björk – lead vocals, bass line, bass synth, piano, arrangements, choir arrangement, programming
  • Nico Muhly – piano
  • Mark Bell – bass synthesizer, programming
  • Peter Van Hook – gong
  • Rahzel – beatboxing
  • Shlomo – beatboxing
  • Dokaka – beatboxing
  • Gregory Purnhagen – human trombone
  • Tagaq – inuit throat singing
  • Mike Patton – vocals
  • Robert Wyatt – vocals
  • The Icelandic Choir – choral vocals
  • The London Choir – choral vocals
  • Little Miss Specta – programming
  • Matmos – programming
  • Olivier Alary – programming
  • Valgeir Sigurdsson – programming
  • Mark “Spike” Stent – mixing

Track listing:

  1. Pleasure is All Mine – Björk
  2. Show Me Forgiveness – Björk
  3. Where Is the Line – Björk
  4. Vökuró (Vigil) – Jórunn Viðar, Jakobína Sigurðardóttir
  5. Öll Birtan (All the Brightness) – Björk
  6. Who Is It (Carry My Joy on the Left, Carry My Pain on the Right) – Björk
  7. Submarine – Björk
  8. Desired Constellation – Björk, Olivier Alary
  9. Oceania – Björk, Sjón
  10. Sonnets/Unrealities XI – Björk, E. Cummings
  11. Ancestors – Björk,Tagaq
  12. Mouth’s Cradle – Björk
  13. Miðvikudags  (Wednesday) – Björk
  14. Triumph of a Heart – Björk

Björk: Vespertine

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Vespertine

On August 27, 2001, “One Little Indian Records” label released “Vespertine”, the fourth Björk solo studio album. It was recorded 2000-2001 in San Pedro de Alcántara, Spain; Reykjavík, Iceland; New York City, and was produced by Björk, Thomas Knak, Martin Gretschmann and Marius de Vries.

Personnel:

  • Björk– arranger, programming, beat programming, basslines, strings arrangements, choir arrangements, harp arrangements, music box arrangements, vocal editing, sounds recording, field recording
  • Vince Mendoza– string arrangements, choir arrangements, orchestration
  • Zeena Parkins– harp, harp arrangements
  • Caryl Thomas – harp
  • Jack Perron – adaptation to music box
  • Guy Sigsworth– programming, beat programming, celeste, celeste arrangements, clavichord, clavichord arrangements, choir arrangements
  • Jake Davies – programming, Pro Tools, engineer
  • Matthew Herbert– programming
  • Valgeir Sigurðsson– programming, beat programming, Pro Tools, engineer
  • Martin Gretschmann aka Console– programming
  • Thomas Knak– programming
  • Matmos– programming, beat programming
  • Damian Taylor – programming, beat programming, Pro Tools
  • Marius de Vries– programming, beat programming
  • Patrick Gowers – vocal and organ arrangements
  • Paul’s Cathedral Choir, conducted by John Scott
  • Leigh Jamieson – Pro Tools
  • Jan “Stan” Kybert – Pro Tools
  • Mark “Spike” Stent– mixing
  • M/M Paris– art direction, design, drawing
  • Inez van Lamsweerde, Vinoodh Matadin – photography

Track listing:

  1. Hidden Place – Björk
  2. Cocoon – Björk, Thomas Knak
  3. It’s Not Up To You – Björk
  4. Undo – Björk
  5. Pagan Poetry – Björk
  6. Frosti – Björk
  7. Aurora – Björk
  8. An Echo, a Stain – Björk, Guy Sigsworth
  9. Sun In My Mouth – Björk, E.E. Cummings, Guy Sigsworth
  10. Heirloom – Björk, Martin Gretschmann
  11. Harm of Will – Björk, Guy Sigsworth
  12. Unison – Björk