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Release Info :
After two full-lengths on Resonant, the much-lauded Stafraenn Hakon is
about
to step up proceedings with this, his first new material in two years -
on
the back of the success and acclaim that met the aforementioned "Skvettir
Edik a Ref" (RESCD005 - Oct 2003) and "I Astaandi Rjupunnar"
(RESCD006 -
March 2004), both of which were 'old' albums deservedly seeing light of
day
for the first time beyond his native Iceland.
Whereas those two were
effectively home recordings using basic instruments
and means, "Ventill/Poki" is the end result of a week in a
studio in England
with the help of fellow Resonant artist Dialect, using live bass and
drums
sounding like the product of a band rather than one guy. That said,
crucially it retains the 'feel' of his previous work, and is more potent
and
powerful rather than allowing anything to get lost in the mix. Coming on
like a hybrid of Labradford, Sigur Ros and Mogwai and finishing up with
one
of the finest bodies of work within the ambient/post-rock sub-genre in
years, this album seems certain to elevate Olafur Josephsson's musical
alias
in the esteemed company of his most obvious peers in terms of status.
PRICE / COST :
CD VERSION -
DIGIPACK SLEEVE
(UK) CD Album £5.00 - Including standard first class postage
(Europe) CD Album £6.00 - Including standard airmail postage
(Rest Of World) CD Album £7.00 - Including standard airmail postage
DOUBLE VINYL -
GATEFOLD SLEEVE
(UK) Vinyl 2xLP £10.00 - Including standard first class postage
(Europe) Vinyl 2xLP £12.00 - Including standard airmail postage
(Rest Of World) Vinyl 2xLP £15.00 - Including standard airmail postage
Reviews :
Last year's Hakon album, 'Skvettir Edik a Ref', was largely
self-produced
and played. Beautifully sedate, it combined cool ambient arrangements
with
warm guitar melodies. 'Ventill/Poki' is fleshed out with guest musicians
on
most tracks, and a bolder if more conventional sound. Fortunately
Hakon's
compositions are still masterful studies in layered arrangements, and
while
he now incorporates a full rhythm section, the frequently mesmerising,
seamlessy interwoven combination of electronica and ambient guitar
remains
in place. Like fellow Icelanders Sigur Ros, Hakon does have a weakness
for
the epic, occasionally over-egging things with sumptuous layers of
instrumentation. Elsewhere the solid drumming sometimes anchors the
music
too much. But when he gets the balance right, which is most of the time,
this proves a worthy successor to his previous work.
The Wire
There's plenty of new music to listen out for this week and definitely
worth
a mention are the stunning tracks from Iceland's Stafraenn Hakon. You
might
say that Iceland has had its time as the in-place for musical coolness,
but
the cold island is still the central hub for some of the best and most
interesting music around. The country's reputation was first brought in
to
the mainstream by that devilish little pixie, Bjork. Since then though,
the
experimental melody makers Sigur Ros have made a name for themselves and
their homeland, and its wild and rich landscape has been sought for
inspiration by artists such as Damon Albarn, Coldplay and San Diego's
Jimmy
Lavalle. If you haven't heard of Lavalle, check out his hauntingly
beautiful
album In A Safe Place, recorded under the artist name, The Album Leaf.
Ventill/Poki is Stafraenn Hakon's third album recorded for the Resonant
label but the body of work has only been available outside Iceland since
March. He makes beautifully ambient post-rock with live bass and drums
mixed
with electronics, and the result is that it's difficult to believe that
this
music is the work of just one man. Unlike the first two albums, which
were
essentially home recordings, Ventill/Poki was recorded in a studio in
England and it certainly has a more professional feel to it. None of the
simple appeal has gone though, making this album the best of the three.
Sit
back, close your eyes and allow creeping Icelandic melodies to wash over
you. If you enjoy this stuff, remember to check out Sigur Ros, Mum,
Dialect,
Sk/Um, The Album Leaf, Olvis, Mogwai.
Music Choice
A pair of years pass away and Stafraenn Hakon comes to the fore with
Ventill/Poki, an effort to trail after the meticulously crafted solo
piece
Skvettir Edik A Ref which, with its gossamer threads of guitar melodies
slumbering in a soft bed of resonant drones, chiming pianos set behind a
fine gauze of purring digital, and breathy sighs reconstructed with the
simple glee of a child taking apart a clock, perched Stafraenn Hakon
alongside Labradford and fellow Icelanders Sigur Ros. While the
birthmark of
Skvettir Edik A Ref was the amateur charm coiled in its heart by way of
lo-fi production techniques and the fact that Hakon handled an array of
instruments without being necessarily familiar with their conventional
use,
from the onset of Ventill/Poki the presence of a mature group of
musicians
is found. Hakon adopts the help of others so as to fill these ten
compositions with cello, trombone and drums. Bucolic guitars still draw
melodic threads through the readily accommodating percussive fabrics,
providing a sturdy core marked by the cyclical repetition of post-rock,
while starry-eyed iridescent textures evolve overtop, intensifying the
tracks coloration. Hakon weaves muffled electronics with stately organic
sound sources much in the vein of Labradford. His efforts, however, are
imbued with an alluring, wide-eyed sense of wonder as compositions such
as
'kjammi', with wobbling guitar arpeggio and plangent chimes, giving unto
a
celebratory zenith that reminds of the grandeur of Sigur Ros. Similar to
Sigur Ros, these selections do veer a trifle close to new age realms,
and,
what's more, the aquatic keyboard patterns and waltzing guitars do at
moments reveal something of a family resemblance; yet a varying of pace
as
found in the more insidious and perturbed ambience of 'kvos', as well as
a
lovely interplay between scuttling drum-programming and the more
boisterous
real drums, imbue this work with minute details that, coupled with
Hakon's
deft ability to consistently forge beguiling melodies, all but promises
supple rewards for those willing to lend an ear.
Cyclicdefrost.com
After two massively respected full-lengths on Resonant, the much-lauded
Stafraenn Hakon is about to step up a gear or two. Ventil / Poki
features
Stafraenn's first new material in two years - on the back of the success
and
acclaim that met the aforementioned "Skvettir Edik a Ref" and
"I Astaandi
Rjupunnar", both of which were old albums deservedly seeing light
of day for
the first time beyond his native Iceland. Whereas those two were
effectively
home recordings using basic instruments and means, "Ventill/Poki"
is the end
result of a week in a studio in England with the help of fellow Resonant
artist Dialect, using live bass and drums sounding like the product of a
band rather than one guy. That said, it retains the feel of his previous
work, and shimmers along similar territory to Sigur Ros and Ulrich
Schnauss - quietly euphoric and unashamedly romantic. Recommended.
Boomkat.com
Well it says right on the shrinkwrap sticker that this is "mellow,
instrumental post-rock so freaking lovely...Sigur Ros move over".
Hmm, can't
really argue with that since it's quote from the Aquarius review of one
of
this Icelandic one-man-band's other albums! He's now back with his third
Resonant label full-length, and if you liked the gentle sounds made
previously by Stafraenn Hakon (aka Olafur Josephsson) you'll undoubtedly
swoon for this disc as well, especially if you thought his music should
be
even more sweet and lush and blissful, 'cause that's where he's going
with
this. But there's a certain sadness inherent in his compositions that
keeps
them from ever getting too treacle-y. Gauzy ambient shimmer melts over
organic instruments and some shuffling, vaguely glitchy electronic
beats, as
this album-length lullaby drifts by, pleasant and glorious. Though it
may
seem like this artist has cranked out a lot of releases lately, this is
actually his first 'new' material recorded in two years! We're glad to
see
he's still in top form.
Aquarius
Fans of the late Mogwai and Sigur Ros albums are in for a treat.
Recommended
by a random person I met at Crash Records, this album is a must have for
any
post rock fans wish list. Stafrænn Hákon has produced an album an
extremely
captivating album that radiates throughout. The gentle use of layered
guitar
and emotional melodic riffs captivates one's imagination and transports
you
to a glacial wonderland. In songs such as "Vetur" and "Unnar"
Hákon manages
to subtly merge electronic drum loops with classical instruments such as
cellos and trombones yet maintains the guitar movements that bands such
as
Godspeed you black emperor! and Mogwai are keenly associated with;
except
for the extreme noise outs which is a welcome break from the traditional
verse chorus verse chorus chorus WALL OF NOISE that seems to dog the
post
rock genre. Melodic and lush this album gives us an introspective view
into
the melancholic mind of Stafrænn Hákon. Even though it's only October
ask
your parents, friends or other-half to get you this for x-mas now!
Leeds Music Scene
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