The only people who strive for unity among humanity are free-loving hippies (we secretly acknowledge), which is why it’s such a relief to come across someone who strips the notion of togetherness from its commonly social and uplifting connotations. “Saman,” the title of Icelandic cellist Hildur Guðnadóttir’s new album on Touch, means “together” in English, but that doesn’t mean we should expect guest appearances as though this were the LP-reuniting of a novice rapper with all of his/her extended family. Instead, the “together” references Saman’s melding of voice and cello, in the process”resolving a tension between light and dark,” as the official commentary notes. Somehow the prophecy just completely overlooked this.
We could’ve predicted it, however. Guðnadóttir’s preceding Leyfðu Ljósinu has a similar joining of instruments, with her fluid vocals artfully flowing toward an intense stringed culmination. I don’t know if there was much in the way of simultaneous voice and cello action on that album, and neither on the one that’s just been released (haven’t listened in full yet), but to forgo the nitpicking, it probably doesn’t matter. Saman was recorded, mixed, and mastered in Berlin, and I’m sure it’s a thoroughly engaging listen. Back with Hildur once more. Together at last. 5evr.
Saman tracklisting:
01. Strokur
02. Frá
03. Birting
04. Heyr Himnasmiður
05. Bær
06. Heima
07. Í hring
08. Rennur upp
09. Til baka
10. Líður
11. Torrek
12. Þoka
• Hildur Guðnadóttir: http://www.hildurness.com
• Touch: http://www.touchmusic.org.uk
More about: Hildur Gudnadottir
