Free and Vibrant Music: Recommended Icelandic Artists — Popular Singers and Bands

SaltMammút

Mammút – Salt

Mammút is a rock band that garnered attention at Iceland’s flagship music event, Musiktilraunir.

Their sound is characterized by a soft tone with elements of dream pop and psychedelia.

The clear, airy vocals—perfectly matched to Iceland’s stunning natural landscapes—and the passionately executed, technically skilled band performance are undeniably cool.

The gentle melodies, which make you feel as if you’re dreaming, are soothing as well.

Give their distinctive pop—packed with the allure of Nordic music—a listen.

City LightsCell7

Cell7 – City Lights

Cell Seven is an Icelandic rapper who also works as an audio engineer.

Raised by a Danish father and a Filipino mother, she creates distinctive tracks that incorporate a variety of musical influences.

Her passionate yet cool performances of danceable songs leave a strong impression.

She holds a black belt in karate, showcasing her multifaceted talent not only in music but also in sports.

Keep an eye on this skillful rapper’s future in the Nordic hip-hop scene!

EsjanBríet

Esjan

Singer-songwriter Bríet, who conveys a unique world through her delicate voice.

Born in 1999, she is a next-generation singer whose range spans from folk to electronic.

She has been performing since the age of 15 at jazz bars and various events, and despite her youth, she brings a wealth of experience to her singing.

Thanks to that experience, her uniquely distinctive stage performances have earned a strong reputation.

Her 2020 album “Kveðja, Bríet” won Album of the Year at the Icelandic Music Awards 2021.

Jungle DrumEmiliana Torrini

Emilíana Torrini – Jungle Drum (Official Video)

Emilíana Torrini is a singer-songwriter with a charming, girlish singing voice.

She’s from Kópavogur and has been active in music since 1994.

Her career began as the vocalist for a band called Spoon.

She debuted with an album titled “Spoon,” and the following year, her vocal talent was recognized and she released a solo album.

On her album “Crouçie d’où là,” she even covered Pizzicato Five’s song “I.” She’s often compared to Björk as a fellow Icelandic female singer, but each has her own unique appeal.

Sweet ImpressionsHjaltalin

Hjaltalín – Sweet Impressions OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Hjaltalín is a large indie rock band with a total of seven members.

The harmony between the wild male vocals and the clear, translucent female vocals is very striking.

In terms of performance, the drums and bass underpin the songs while still playing catchy parts, so it may appeal to people who like catchy tunes or disco-tinged pop.

Their 2009 album Terminal won Album of the Year at the 2010 Icelandic Music Awards.

No matter which track you listen to, you can hear their meticulous attention to detail in the sound production and performance.

Hring eftir hringSupersport!

Supersport! / Hring eftir hring Music Video with Japanese-English Subtitles

The most talked-about young indie rock band in Iceland right now is Supersport!.

They operate with a DIT (Do It Together) ethos, valuing collaboration.

Their songs are heavily influenced by 1960s British rock, making them distinctly retro and catchy.

With a sound that blends nostalgia and freshness, they’re sure to win over music fans across generations!

Sing SwimSeabear

Seabear – I Sing I Swim

Seabear is a seven-piece indie folk band from Iceland.

It began in 2003 as Sindri’s solo project, played as a trio in 2005, and expanded to seven members in 2006.

Alongside Seabear, all members are active in other bands, solo projects, and visual art projects.

I Sing I Swim is included on their debut album, The Ghost That Carried Us Away, released by Morr Music in 2007.

Cat Piano was used as an insert song in the BBC’s Neverland.

In 2010, We Built a Fire was released.