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ÁSGEIR
releases new EP
‘THE SKY IS PAINTED
GRAY TODAY’

Alongside a live
performance video of 
‘SISTER’

Out now on [PIAS] Australia

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Photo: Jonatan Gretarsson

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Praise for ÁSGEIR

“The Icelandic artist with the crystalline falsetto”  – NPR

“From the luminous and atmospheric soundscapes that he cultivates, to his meticulously chosen phrasing, there is a distinctive sense of circumstance and identity ingrained within his very nature” – The Line Of Best Fit

“…sincere, brave and utterly enveloping…” – Tone Deaf

“[Ásgeir]…creates intimate soundscapes, melding folk, pop and electronica, topped by a shimmering, angelic voice that reflects the beauty and isolation of his homeland.” – The Australian

“The musical asset that, more than any other, identifies Ásgeir’s work as uniquely his, is his inimitable voice.” – Music Feeds

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Following the release of last years lauded ‘Bury The Moon’ album and successful world tour, Ásgeir is returning with his remarkable new EP, ‘The Sky Is Painted Gray Today’. Alongside the EP release, Ásgeir shares a live performance video of emotive ballad ‘Sister’, directed by Friðjón Jónsson, Guðmundur Kristinn Jónsson and Ívar Kristján Ívarsson.

The four textured, original tracks that make up ‘The Sky Is Painted Gray Today’ have been long gestating, and were recorded for the most part in 2019 in Hljodriti and tweaked over the last few months. They mark something of a return to the artists deep roots, working once again with his father on their poetic Icelandic lyrics, as well as enlisting the likes of John Grant and Pétur Ben for the translations, a writing relationship that worked to great effect on his debut.

The collection encompasses his signature emotive delivery, delicate yet expansive folk, and intricate guitars. A more stripped back approach was taken when putting these together, with a focus put on his singular vocal and the dexterous strumming of layered, warm acoustics. There’s an understated potency to tracks like ‘Sister’ and ‘On The Edge’, a sense that even in their simplicity, we are in the presence of a master craftsman, humbly, at his best. 

Listen to
‘THE SKY IS PAINTED GRAY TODAY’
HERE

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The EP also includes the miraculous story ‘Sunday Drive’, a lyrical retelling of a car accident Ásgeir experienced in his youth. He tells us;“Sunday Drive was written about a car accident I had when I was 7 years old. Every Sunday me and my family used to drive on top of a mountain close to the town where we lived and then get out of the car, walk around and enjoy the view. On the day of the accident my older sister was allowed to take pictures on a new camera that my mom and dad had recently bought but they didn’t trust me with it so I got upset and stayed in the car while they went out to take pictures. While I was upset waiting in the car I started playing with the gear shift and handbrake and suddenly the car started moving. It flew down the hill and flipped around a few times and was completely destroyed when it stopped. I crawled out pretty much uninjured, only needing four stitches on my head.”

Ásgeir’s debut album ‘Dýrð í dauðaþögn’ was released in 2012 and was the best-selling debut record ever in Iceland. The English language edition, ‘In The Silence’ released in 2014 connected with an entirely new audience. Here in Australia, it was spotlighted as Triple J Feature Album and both the album and its lead single ‘King and Cross’ achieved gold ARIA accreditation. Ásgeir’s first Splendour In The Grass in 2015 saw him return to Australia just two months after supporting alt-J on their national stadium tour. That year, ‘King and Cross’ clocked in at number 10 in The Hottest 100.

Ásgeir followed this with the introspective, emotive folktronica of ‘Afterglow’ in 2017. The record was his second to be highlighted as triple j Feature Album and the station co-presented his sold out Splendour In The Grass sideshows. Due to popular demand he returned to Australian shores that summer for The Falls Music And Arts Festival.

Last year saw the release of Ásgeir’s exceptional ‘Bury The Moon’. Lead single ‘Youth’ premiered on Triple J’s Good Nights with Bridget Hustwaite, with the record going on to score Feature Album at Double J and receive international acclaim from The Standard (UK), The Music, Tone Deaf, OUTinPerth and many more.

‘The Sky Is Painted Gray Today’ will also be available on a very limited run of neon orange vinyl. 

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The Sky Is Painted Gray Today
Track Listing

1. The Sky Is Painted Gray Today
2. Sister
3. Out On The Edge
4. Sunday Drive

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Follow ÁSGEIR
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

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AMNPLIFY – LF