Soley revealed her light and sunny side on her third studio album. The title Endless Summer suggests it, and it proves that fairy vocal of the singer from Iceland brings warmer, merrier, jaunty sounds. The album was created in just a year in collaboration with her long term friend and associate Albert Finnbogason.
The record is not only manifestation of Icelandic summer breeze, but also summers of Soley herself as she was previously covered in snowy melancholy and sorrow. Now it’s time for something else.
Up until now, We Sink was the main document of Soley’s music style, while Ask The Deep was exploration of obscure and complex layers of her world, and world in general. What’s interesting is that the titles of her albums were always congruent to the concept, emotions and the story of it. From indifferent sing, followed by investigation of soul’s depths, all the way up to never-ending summer.
In 2014, the singer made instrumental EP Kromantik comprised of piano compositions. It was clear that the singer will not swim in the darkness and yearning forever. She started utilizing piano as an instrument of equanimity and hint of happiness. Contrary to previous release that saw domination of organs and synths, Endless Summer is more simple and optimistic. Warmness is to be felt on every song. One song is dedicated to her daughter. It’s called Ua, and it comes as no surprise that this is the opening track, as it shows a big shift in singer’s life.
Brightness and openness of the album’s structure can also be observed from the album’s cover. Colored with pastel colors, her portrait is transparent enough to emphasize the other side of Soley. Transition is strong in good-fairy-themed Sing Wood To Silence. The impression of landscapes with rich nature and plethora of lakes is spot on. The silence of forest is palpable, and the vocal sounds like a hummingbird. Although most of the songs sound like lullabies or fairy melodies, Never Cry Moon culminates both lyrically and vocally. Before Falling is in the last chapter of the album, and it delivers a bit darker lyrics.
Song titles can trick you into thinking that this is a dark album, but brightness can be felt in every tone. Endless Summer, the closing number, completely sucks you in the summer vibe and joy du vivre. If you didn’t realize it by now, this is the most suitable album for the upcoming summer.
