II by Kiasmos

When Kiasmos started out in the late 2000s, little did they know that their part-time supergroup would go stratospheric. It was the sound of two old friends from neighbouring islands striking out against the stark piano and electropop music that they were individually celebrated for and effusively sharing their love of Berlin-inspired beats. But their pairing blew up into a world-dominating live act whose music went on to define the decade.

Kiasmos are returning, renewed and restored, with ‘II’. It’s the triumphant follow-up to their universally acclaimed self-titled debut in 2014, which re-envisioned minimal techno with orchestral flourishes and weightless production. They’d made most of that album in just two weeks; this time it’s been 10 years. The making of ‘II’ was a test of their friendship, but also testament to how great musical chemistry can always go the distance and be just the same as it ever was. “In the beginning, we hadn’t established any sound, so it was easy to write,” says Janus.

“The record sounds fuller,” agrees Ólafur. “The sound design gives you a sense of place and space.”
“II is livelier,” says Janus, “but it still retains the signature Kiasmos style of transitioning from a whisper-quiet ambience to an explosive dance beat that can blow your socks off.” Their phoenix is rising from the ashes, and ready to take flight.

Tracklist

1.	Grown	5:41

2.	Burst	4:31

3.	Sailed	4:05

4.	Laced	4:18

5.	Bound	6:27

6.	Sworn	4:14

7.	Spun	4:10

8.	Flown	3:56

9.	Told	5:40

10.	Dazed	5:07

11.	Squared	5:17

Credits

released July 5, 2024

All songs written by Ólafur Arnalds & Janus Rasmussen

String quartet & orchestral arrangements by Ólafur Arnalds
Publisher: Ólafur Arnalds by Bosworth Music GmbH/Wise Music Group & Janus Rasmussen by Kobalt Music Group
Produced by Ólafur Arnalds & Janus Rasmussen
Recorded at Studio Segl, E7, Hof Culture House
Recording Engineers: Ólafur Arnalds, Janus Rasmussen, Hafsteinn Þráinsson

Ólafur Arnalds, piano, synthesizers & electronics
Janus Rasmussen, synthesizers & electronics

String quartet:
Viktor Orri Árnason, violin (All tracks except 3)
Sigrún Harðardóttir, violin (All tracks except 3)
Ásta Kristín Pjetursdóttir, viola (Tracks 2,5,7,8,10)
Unnur Jónsdóttir, cello (Tracks 2,3,5,7,8,10)
Karl Pestka, viola (Tracks 1,4,9,11)
Sigurgeir Agnarsson, cello (Tracks 1,4,9,11)

SinfoniaNord: (Tracks 2,5,6,9)
1st violin: Guðbjartur Hákonarson, Geirþrúður Ása Guðjónsdóttir, Zbigniew Dubik, Sigurlaug Eðvaldsdóttir, Ólöf Þorvarðardóttir
2nd violin: Margrét Þorsteinsdóttir, Kristján Matthíasson, Karl James Pestka, Íris Dögg Gísladóttir, Maricn Lazarz
Viola: Þórunn Ósk Marinósdóttir, Eyjólfur Bjarni Alfreðsson, Ásta Kristín Pjétursdóttir
Cello: Sigurgeir Agnarsson, Bryndís Halla Gylfadóttir, Júlía Mogensen, Ásdís Arnardóttir

Mixing Engineer: Styrmir Hauksson
Mastered by Zino Mikorey
Lacquer cut by Andreas Kauffelt at Schnittstelle, Berlin
Creative Director: Peadar Ó Goill
Artwork and Design by Studio Torsten Posselt

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All rights reserved. All tapes erased.
LC 15952 ERATP168
erasedtapes.com kiasmos.is

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