Icelandic ambient maestros Sigur Ros have returned with their first new music in more than three years.
The release was prefaced by a 24-hour live stream, and marks their first new release since 2013’s Kveikur. The song, titled Óveður, comes with an accompanying video directed by Jonas Åkerlund. Stark and unsettling, it was filmed in a town called Grindavík, on the Icelandic peninsular of Reykjanes, and stars a wild, physical performance from choreographer Erna Ómarsdóttir alongside appearances by band members. The video follows the protagonist’s reckless, alcohol-fuelled day, growing more visceral, violent and almost uncomfortable to watch as it unfolds.
The track itself is lush and incredibly beautiful in that ethereal manner we’ve come to know and love from Sigur Ros. That said, it hardly feels like repetition, with the song incorporating dark, glitchy, almost industrial elements, an interesting contrast again the angelic melody and temperate beat. The song also relies less on huge, sweeping orchestration and mammoth melodic waves, instead focusing on the intricacies and delicate balance between sound, melody and atmosphere.
The band are currently on a world tour, and have reportedly been opening their live shows with Óveður, having premiered the track at Primavera in Barcelona. Sigur Ros are heading to Australia next month to perform at Splendour in the Grass in Byron Bay. While no official news of an album has been announced, the band will be performing more new material as well as older favourites.
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