Throughout his career so far, Ólafur Arnalds had one certain signature – taking risks. One of his current adventures is OPIA Community, a true three in one – a traveling music festival, label and community hub.
Its label part is now up to its second album, this time from Davidsson, an Icelandic musician and composer located in Nashville. If you wonder why a former Berklee College of Music scholar resides and works in Nashville, the first sounds coming from his OPIA album Lifelines will be a giveaway – Davidsson’s key instruments are a pedal steel guitar and a harmonica.
Immediately, possibly the first thought that would come to mind would be the recently often talked about sub-genre of ambient country, and the opening track ‘light in the dark’ certainly flows in that direction. Yet, when the following ‘stride’ steps in, you realise that Davidsson and his two collaborators here, musicians and composers in their own right, Skúli Sverrisson (bass) and Davíð Þór Jónsson (piano) are taking all the possible directions their experience and musical background offers – from post-modern classical to jazz variations.
Yet throughout their explorations here led by Davidsson’s instrumental array, they do not have a ‘simple’ (or complex) clinical run-through scales but a hefty dose of emotional involvement, particularly from Davidsson.
As Arnalds comments on this album: “He’s a truly unique artist whose humanity and heart shines through in his equally beautiful and heartbreaking debut album. We’re thrilled to be part of this journey with him.”
And it is that emotional element here that is the one that binds everything into something that surpasses just instrumental excellence on this album.
