New Music: múm – Kill the Light

Yes, it’s probably unfair to compare múm to fellow Icelandic outfit Sigur Rós, as on tracks like Kill the Light, there’s little similarity.

I mean that in terms of the arrangement, as Kill the Light – from the band’s History of Silence album – delves more into folk and indie than grand post-rock epics. The similarity comes in how Kill the Light and History of Silence make you feel, as you listen, and afterwards.

Having played through the album a few times now, I felt more aware of my small place in the world, but also how important music and love are in it. And how the vastness of space and time can be bridged with the right music and the right loved ones. Listen to the LP by candlelight, and you’ll feel the joy of your role in much greater things.

“It’s easily the most light-hearted song on the album,” says band member Örvar Smárason about the new song. “Lots of sunshine, a 4-track cassette beat, mangled guitar, wonky bass and distorted vocals. It starts with the sound we recorded from a camera flash going off, so it literally begins with a burst of light.”

History of Silence is the band’s first full album since 2013’s Smilewound and is set for release on the 19th of September. It’s now up for pre-order via Morr Music in vinyl, cassette, and CD options over on Bandcamp.

múm embark on a 16-date North American tour to tie in with the release of History of Silence. For venue and ticket details, as well as album updates, follow múm on Instagram or Facebook.

Header photo by Ben Rayner