Song of the Day: Andy Svarthol - Ofbirta

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. This week, we are featuring songs by Icelandic artists performing Iceland Airwaves 2016.

Andy Svarthol - Ofbirta (MP3)

Today's featured song is "Ofbirta", a 2016 self-released single by Andy Svarthol.Our final Icelandic Song of the Day for this week features another new project: Andy Svarthol. Formed by brothers Egill and Bjarki Hreinn Viðarsson, the group has released only two tracks, both glimmering and cheery sing-alongs (if only you spoke Icelandic!). The band says that their "musical direction and style is ever-changing", with influences as diverse as "The Beach Boys, TV on the Radio, Beach House, Animal Collective, and Aphex Twin", but based on today's featured song, their second single, Andy Svarthol seems fully formed. "Ofbirta", meaning brightness, is actually a bit moodier than "Írena Sírena", their first single, but it's like the last burning embers of daylight, or the sun hovering for hours at the horizon on an arctic summer day.

Andy Svarthol will perform live at Kex Hostel in Reykjavik KEXP's Iceland Airwaves broadcast on Saturday at 11AM Seattle time. We'll be showing live video of their set on our Facebook page.

Find out more about KEXP's Iceland Airwaves broadcast from Kex Hostel, look for more about the band on their Facebook page. For now, watch the official video for their first single, "Írena Sírena", below.