Johann Johannsson - Englaborn

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4...according to our Mingus on Thu 08 Nov, 2007.

Johan Johannsson: 'Englaborn' (4AD) A re-release previously out on the Touch imprint, this sprawling epic across sixteen tracks, covers the field of contemporary classical that will appeal to fans of modern electronica and the sort of tinkling, glacial pop often associated with a host of Icelandic artists .Across the tracks we are treated to wave after wave of piano refrains, warm and sometimes haunting string arrangements, mournful elegies and the sort of music you could safely take home to mother (if your mum likes this sort of thing that is!), unlike some of the noise out there.

Jóhann Jóhannsson’s timelessly beautiful first solo album. Originally released in 2002 on the Touch label, it has since acquired cult status, going on to become one of Touch’s best selling releases.
Derived from music that Jóhann Jóhannsson wrote for an Icelandic play of the same name, ‘Englabörn’ for the CD release was revised and restructured to make it stand as a work on its own. Written for string quartet, piano, organ, glockenspiel and percussion, these elements were processed and manipulated with delicate electronic backgrounds added to the otherwise entirely acoustic recordings.
Press quotes: “This first solo album from Jóhann Jóhannsson is absolutely beautiful […] With the slightest of movements, and in a handful of descending notes, a shivering gulf of sadness is conveyed (8.9)” - Pitchfork
“The music consists of slow melodies drowning in melancholia... Above it all reigns an immaterial Nordic aura, something the listener can instantly recognize as Icelandic in essence - in the tiny trickles of glockenspiel, the solemnity of the sustained harmonium chords, the fragility and beauty that give this music its porcelain doll looks... Highly recommended” - All Music Guide

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