Hjaltalín - Sleepdrunk Seasons

Iceland’s Hjaltalín arrive with a healthy amount of homegrown success behind them, topping their domestic charts and being crowned ‘Brightest Hope’ at the 2008 Icelandic Music Awards. Presumably the hope in question is to ‘do a Sigur Rós’ and join the ranks of the tiny country’s impressively bulky legion of global successes, in which case debut album Sleepdrunk Seasons is an excellent showcase for their multifaceted style. After the opening track’s wistful orchestral overture, Traffic Music develops from subdued Mew-like vocals and woodwind flourishes to a joyous chorus recalling a playful Mercury Rev. Goodbye July/Margt að Ugga goes from rock stomp to mournful cello interlude and back again while The Trees Don’t Like The Smoke’s ode to healthy living sounds like Antony and the Johnson’s covering The Small Faces. Such idiosyncrasies should ensure that while they may one day emulate Sigur Rós’ critical success, their sound will remain their own. [Chris Buckle]