Hjaltalín

"Back after an eight-year absence, Iceland's Hjaltalín retain their engagingly wonky charm ... Högni Egilsson's lead vocals dominate, his storytelling lyrics humane but vulnerable ... The songs fronted by Sigriður Thorlacius cut deeper, particularly her breathy Kate Bush-isms on the wry, synth-heavy ballad "Baronesse" and her orchestral spine-tingler "Mad Lady Of Lizard Skin". Occasionally marred by tweeness, these introspective campfire ballads invoke vintage Prefab Sprout at times, though stylistic detours like "Stolen Star" and "Night Theme" impress more, moving beyond the polite chamber pop into throbbing electro-rock terrain".