Iceland

Iceland is known for pumping out beautiful music. The music is usually soothing, but at the same time inspiring. Bands such as Jónsi & Alex, Sigur Rós, and Ólafur Arnalds are usually brought to mind when speaking of such music. Well it's time to add another extremely talented band to that list. Of Monsters and Men are a six-piece dual vocal led band from Reykjavík, Iceland and although they have been a band since 2007 they are now putting out their debut My Head Is An Animal. Their song" Little Talks" has garnished them a following outside of Iceland even reaching #1 at a radio station in Philadelphia. And although the wait for this album has been four years too long, it definitely delivered.

My Head Is An Animal starts out with the slow intro of "Dirty Paws" with the line which spawns their album name. About a minute in, the song explodes with a certain joy comparable to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. This song definitely sets an upbeat theme for the album. Following the opener is sure to be a favorite; "King and Lionheart" showcases the dual vocals quite nicely. The kick drum present throughout the verses pulls the listener close and when the chorus crashes in mouths will lift and a smile is sure to be seen. The instrumentation behind the vocals throughout the song (especially the guitar riff) slowly becomes more and more impressive and leads nicely into the toe taping, whistle-along "Numb Bears". The song builds and builds into the catchy chorus filled with la's and exciting trumpets. READ MORE FROM OUR FRIENDS AND ABSOLUTE PUNK.