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Freysteinn Gíslason: A? einhverju / To somewhere

By Glenn Astarita
December 9, 2024
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Freysteinn Gíslason: Að einhverju / To somewhere

Emerging from Iceland's volcanic landscape—a land where glaciers and geysers conspire to create heavenly magic—Freysteinn arrives with their third sonic missive, Að einhverju/To somewhere. This is not your grandmother's jazz album; it is a musical expedition that pirouettes between traditional Icelandic folk whispers, rock and a progressive jazz swagger.

Along with the melodic complexities of prominent guitarist

Hilmar Jensson

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Hilmar Jensson, the band crafts a soundscape that's equal parts cerebral and visceral. The title track "A? einhverju/To Somewhere" unfurls like a Nordic noir film score—slow, brooding, then suddenly explosive. Jensson's guitar does not just play notes; it weaves sonic spells, with

Helgi R. Heiðarsson

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Helgi R. Hei?arsson's saxophone punching through like a Viking's battle cry.

"Inngangur" kicks off with bassist/leader

Freysteinn Gíslason

bass, acoustic
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Freysteinn Gíslason's extended soloing that is so seductive, it could make a glacier blush. His bass lines zigzag and growl, creating a conversation with Jensson's guitar that is part intellectual debate, part musical arm-wrestling. The track "Fallegt/Skríti?" operates like an auditory optical illusion—simultaneously beautiful and strange, revealing different perspectives with each listen. Jensson's rock-inflected chords crash like waves against the song's ethereal landscape, leaving a mysterious sonic residue behind. Meanwhile, "? átt a? einhverju" is a raucous jazz-rock hybrid that sounds like what might happen if a cool jazz ensemble decides to stage a musical rebellion. Drummer

Óskar Kjartansson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">?skar Kjartansson 's stomping beats and brisk fills demolish conventional rhythmic boundaries with gleeful abandonment.

For those who like their music with a side of adventure—be you a jazz aficionado, an Icelandic music enthusiast, or simply someone who believes music should challenge and surprise—this album is your new sonic companion. A? einhverju/To Somewhere is not just an album, it is a musical passport to an alternate universe where jazz, rock, folk and pure creative audacity collide.

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Track Listing

To Somewhere; Lisboa; Inngangur; Fallegt/Skríti?; F??ing; ? átt a? einhverju; Vera; Enndir.

Personnel

Freysteinn Gíslason

bass, acoustic

Helgi R. Hei?arsson

saxophone, tenor

Hilmar Jensson

guitar

?skar Kjartansson

drums

Album information

Title: To Somewhere | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Self Produced

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