It’s been 4 years since Sóley’s last full-length album, and as they say good things come to those who wait. Sóley Stefánsdóttir, of Seabear and her own fame has delivered one hell of a finely crafted piece of art with the new album Ask the Deep.
While We sink‘ was dark, Ask the Deep goes further down the rabbit hole. An internal argument of staying with or leaving devils. Multiple layers of tribal-like percussion, floating synth, and cascading keys weave a sophisticated and emotional dance creating the perfect background to Sóley’s haunting and rhythmic vocals. I honestly feel you’d be hard pressed to find such sweet serenades about devils, darkness, and despair anywhere else.
Each listen I give this album brings out a new emphasis in both the instrumental and wording in the songs. I’ve given it enough listens to safely say it’s far from getting old, this is definitely one of my favorite albums of the year.
The album starts off with the track, ‘Devil’ where Sóley asks if she’s danced with devil, and does he still love her? A person realizing a personal struggle, or perhaps someone they care about, may be harming them but they’re afraid to live without them. As the album progresses, it becomes less about how the devil feels and more how the chanteuse realizes her own power and self-worth.
By ‘I will never’ we realize she’s made it through the muck and mire and has come out stronger and standing tall leading into an almost euphoric, cloud clearing/sun shining ‘dreamers’, the most upbeat song on the album. The album ends with ‘Lost ship’, a final contemplation and realization that letting go will make her responsible for her own life, and is she willing to let the devil go to do so.
The first music video from the album, ‘Halloween’ is surreal and beautiflly done, you can see here:
You can follow Sóley on Facebook, and on her website. She is touring, see her schedule here. And she will be in the United States in October for Iceland Affair up in Connecticut.
Ragnaar's Icelandic Music Blog 