This article was automatically translated by AI.
Iceland, the country that almost fell apart during the financial crisis in 2008.
Iceland, full of rugged, vast beauty.
Iceland, the land of music.
Iceland, a country to fall in love with. Anyone who has been there and not just experienced the touristy Golden Circle will agree with me.
The cool expanse of the North Fjords, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the northwest, Husavik, the capital of whale watching, the bird cliffs (especially Latrabjarg)… oh, I could go on like this for a long time and lose myself more and more in memories. All of this inspired the album by BLAGRESI.
BLAGRESI is a band from Iceland that has made it their mission to set poems by the renowned Icelandic poet Einar Mar Gudmundsson to music on this album. So, one can speak of a concept album here. Einar is a poet of our time. He sharply criticized the responsible politicians during the financial crisis in 2008. The foreword to the album was written by Einar himself, where he also critiques society. A society that sees economic growth as the goal to be achieved at all costs. A society controlled by the economy. Where is the human being? Where is the satisfaction? Where is the happiness?
BLAGRESI sets poems to music in 10 songs, and in a style that is not necessarily common for Icelandic bands. It is a mix of country, bluegrass, and very appealing, gentle, fragile folk pop.
The songs are pleasantly catchy in their arrangements. The bass comes softly, almost delicately from the speakers. The drums are played deliberately restrained. The guitar playing is captivating from the very first chords. Above it all floats the voice of Tinna Marina Jonsdottir.
Tinna seems to be made for these songs. Her voice has strength, restraint, and emotion all in one. She sings the lyrics, which are all in Icelandic and also not translated in the beautifully illustrated booklet, in a way that only an Icelander can. She unites strength and gentleness. The band matches her in every way.
Here is a band that must truly love what they do. Otherwise, you can't make music like this.
Oh, Iceland…
BLAGRESI is a band that has captured my heart with this album.
