Bedroom Community

Here's a debut from an Icelandic producer who has worked with Bjork, Coco Rosie, among others. The sounds are wafting delicacies with strings and breezy buzz, music boxes all intertwined with guest vocals and other sensitive arrangements. Symphonic strings with breaks, recalling the soundtrack for Dancer in the Dark which he worked on with Bjork are evident on the sauntering stop/start of "Focal Point." The harmonies are bright and flickery. "Baby Architect" with J. Walker has a rambling, cut-up feel to it, like they are humming along inside a machine that is slicing tiny portions and feeding it back. There's a warmth throughout the entire record that spills softly. At times this sounds like a lost record from the 70's hidden rock opera vault as peaked at in tracks like "Winter Sleep" with its Craig Armstrong-like overtures and ambient texturing. Dawn McCarthy's voice is a lovely addition that makes for something brightly birdlike. As I listen the sounds fade away, on the romanticized "Equilibrium is Restored." It's a passage to a small gazebo in a forest, among nature, a recital with passing minstrels, and light faire. Ekvílibríum is a floating and dreamy record that suggests taking a much needed, contemplative pause from our advertising saturated, overproduced daily speed culture. Charming.

TJ Norris