Útidúr

It was love at first song.I must have been in an ambivalent mood that day - summoning my thoughts inside invisible marker lines - as I sat listening to Útidúr's (pronounced: ooh!-detour) "Grasping for Thoughts" on repeat.The lone piano welcomes us inside as other instruments soon join in slowly but steadily. A soft-spoken voice eases into the song carefully readying us with an Icelandic cadence that makes up for the inaudible words we miss. A trumpet keeps tempo in-between the lamenting, letting the other eleven band-mates chime in with violins, string bass, light drums, and an accordion. The prolific sound lifts and lingers just enough to keep us involved, yet somewhat reserved.It's the perfect mix of despair and desire. We are able to soak up the melodrama with dignity and direction, never once having to make excuses for why we love this agony-inspiring song.