Review Summary: Elegance
Sigur Rós just sound Icelandic. The pristine and glistening undertones of Takk seem a fitting ode to their native homeland. Where Takk’s predecessor, ( ) emoted a sense of tragedy, Takk offers something more wholesome and majestic. The apocalyptic overtones of ( ) had been replaced by an assured sense of warmth.
“Glósóli” (Icelandic for Glowing Sole) flows with serene eloquence and oozes the tranquility of rural Iceland. Exaggerations aside, the unique meld of Neo-Classical, Ambient and “Sgt Peppers Era” Beatles makes for compelling listening.
“Hopp*polla”, is arguably the most “instant track” on offer here. It’s glacial motif, twinned with sanguine timpani and marching drums comes across as aptly “Nordic”. This is where the true strength of Takk lies. Sigur Rós manage to straddle a divine mix of Neo-Classical, Ambient, 60’s Pop and instant accessibility. On paper it sounds like a disaster, but on record it sounds like an evanescent Winter Solstice.
Takk’s excellent counterparts, ( ), Ágætis byrjun & Von are cut from an entirely different cloth. Those expecting the melancholy of ( ) & the cinematic scale of Ágætis byrjun will be solely disappointed with Takk. While the likes of the somber “Gong” recall earlier releases, the overall mood is deliberately up-beat.
Takk really is elegance personified…
