Listen: Samaris – “Brennur Stjarna”

09 June 2014, 09:45 | Written by Laura Rancani

(Tracks)

(Samaris)

Can we go ahead and declare 2014 the Year of Samaris? The trio hailing from Reykjavík, Iceland have forged ahead with the clarinet-based, downtempo electronica that put them on our radar in 2011. Their much-lauded sophomore LP Silkidrangar is available now, fusing 19th century Icelandic poetry with their signature sound. “Brennur Stjarna” (translated as “Stars Burn”) leads the pack as their sinuous and contemplative new single.

The track is a breathtaking example of the band’s skill at seamlessly melding their individual contributions into a synchronous whole. Doddi’s subtle electronic wizardry is the heartbeat of this piece, with Áslaug Magnúsdóttir’s serpentine clarinet work and Jófríður Ákadóttir’s shadowy vocals adding momentum and intrigue to the labyrinth of sound. There is a sense that the song—although complete in and of itself—continues playing on in some distant corner of the universe after it ends. Just look out along the horizon line and you’ll find it churning up the edges of some bold new wilderness.

“Brennur Stjarna” will be released as a single via One Little Indian on 28 July. Catch the glacially-paced stylings of Samaris on tour this summer, including a set at Roskilde in Denmark on 1 July.