There tends to be this fantastical world that each of us venture into once we fall sleep at night. Whether it’s filled with outlandish anomalies or magical Dragons and Kings, our psyche is often filled with colorful imagery that catapult us into another dimension. Even if only for a little while, this transformation provides an avenue to escape. While the norm then tends to suggest that most musicians represent the antithesis to this very idea, Iceland’s own Sigur Rós happens to be just the right archetype for the imagined soundtrack that plays in our dreaming minds.
Ever since the late ’90s, Sigur Rós has veered into otherwise uncharted territory in terms of their overall sound and success. Generally speaking, no other artist has carved out a niché entry into what is both popular and unique, yet all the while remaining true to the sound that’s earned them worldwide acclaim. From their understated live motion picture release, Inni, to their frequent appearances on some of Hollywood’s biggest soundtracks, Sigur Rós has remained stedfast in their campaign to prove that what is different isn’t always unfamiliar. And moreover, what may at first seem to be typical might just prove to be something entirely different altogether.
Enter: “Ekki Múkk,” The first single off of the band’s sixth studio album, Valtari. The ambitious nature of their previous work is present here as the slow-building, grandiose anthem represents the kind of spectacle the foursome has, in time, mastered. This is Sigur Rós, after all — perhaps, and not accidentally, the only band that delivers a sound reminiscent to that of a hollow radio frequency. Yet so beautifully crafted is the vacant noise, we recognize something completely comforting in the hauntingly joyful material.
It’s more atmosphere than it is song, and in this case, that is a good thing. As the crackling beat mixes itself into the unsettling whisper of an unidentified voice, it somehow blends together in a whimsical perfection. At times, it feels as though this song was not simply created by four men in a studio somewhere, but rather a spirit who’s searching for its voice along a lost and lonely highway. In a sense, agonizing hope tends to infiltrate the entire framework that is, “Ekki Múkk.” Liken to that of the “Glósóli” and “Gobbledigook” releases of the past, “Ekki Múkk” sends listeners into a world that doesn’t even outright exist, yet it’s familiar enough that we are able to get lost along the way just as the vibe of the song suggests.
As a whole, Valtari may just be the most important release the band has put out to date. It’s gritty yet crisp, and there are no significant lapses worthy of a mention. Music today has lost its eagerness to move forward, and instead most rely on the idea that what is recognizable is more than suitable. The aforementioned spirit who was looking for its voice may have just found a suitable companion in Sigur Rós. If nothing else, “Ekki Múkk” represents the idea that there is at least someone out there who cares about our dreams.