Asgeir
Album: In The Silence
Label: One Little Indian
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.asgeirmusic.com

Iceland's biggest selling debut album by a homegrown artist, outstripping even Sigur Ros and Bjork, Asgeir is well on course to follow both acts onto the international stage. His sound is rootsier than either, but there's an insistence in his tone that has echoes of both.

Plaintive, considered and warming, this English language version of the original songs - with lyrics largely written by his dad - will find favour not just with the John Lewis Christmas advert soundtrack generation (who know who they are), but also with anyone who values great songs in the folk tradition but not bound by it. Those unfamiliar with the lay of this land should seek out Torrent, with its familiar piano figures and euphoric Nordic pop hooks. Summer Guest rightly praises sweet and pure tones and precious melodies before wallowing in the warm waters of lush vocal harmony and the intricate massage of Asgeir's noble finger picking.

If you're ready to be heartbroken then Was There Nothing? will be your port of call - agonising lyrics are beautifully offset by a musical setting that'll becalm the emotional rage. Just when you think you've got this remarkable record pinned, up comes King and Cross with its synth pop motifs, falsetto verses, hazy trumpet and Roddy Frame guitar strum - dance like it'll be 1983 in the morning.

If you need reference points think Fleet Foxes, Lau, Bon Iver etc trading tall tales and deft chord changes with Cat Stevens and Leon Russell while Jonso harmonises, but really this is best approached with few expectations and your bag packed for a long and rewarding journey. One in ten Icelanders own this album, that should put you in good company.

Nick Churchill
www.thegranvillechambers.co.uk