From the distant land of Reykjavik, Iceland, comes a unique new band indie folk fans worldwide are going crazy over. Icelandic band Of Monsters and Men debuted its first album, “My Head Is an Animal,” on April 3.
The six-member group, which gained popularity after the release of its single “Little Talks” last summer, has been called the Mumford and Sons of Iceland. However, with its dual male/female lead vocals and uncanny beat-driven rhythm, the band boasts a sound uniquely its own.
The album, which runs a lengthier-than-usual 53 minutes, showcases the hauntingly harmonizing vocals of the male and female lead singers, Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdottir and Ragnar Thorhallsson. The upbeat folk-style melodies of the songs intertwine with Hilmarsdottir and Porhallsson’s distinct vocals to create a haunting yet charming sound that leaves listeners humming the tunes all the daylong.
With its strong acoustics-driven melody, foot-tapping beat and random chants of “hey,” the first song on “My Head Is an Animal,” “Dirty Paws,” resembles a more melancholy style of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ “Home.” This song introduces the slightly twisted fairy tale theme that underlies most of the songs on the album.
In contrast, the second song on the album, “King and Lionheart,” offers a more soothing, sing-songy yet equally catchy experience for album listeners.
Unlike the first songs, “Mountain Sound,” the third song on the album, shifts back and forth more between the two lead vocalists, giving Thorhallsson more spotlight than many of the other songs on the album. This song has a more upbeat tune and features chorus-style singing sections that give the song an additional catchy kick.
By the fourth song, the excitement and distinctiveness of the first few songs on the album levels off into a slower-paced, less memorable lineup. “Love Love Love,” “Sloom” and “Yellow Light” all seem to blend into one, slow and sleep inducing blur. The exception to this trend is the seventh song on the album, “Six Weeks,” which has a more drum-driven, alternative rock style that offers listeners a pick-me-up after a long spell of slow songs.
Overall, “My Head Is an Animal” is a great album for any indie folk lover. The distinct sound and diverse styles of the first few songs redeem the slower, less memorable tunes that dampen the middle of the label, making it nonetheless a wise buy and fun and unique folk-filled experience for listeners.
