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Olafur Arnalds' adds AI on first solo project since 2013 / RollingStone

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On his first solo project since 2013, Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds adds a new element – robots! – to his mix of post-minimalist repetition, indie swoon, film score frisson and ambient drifts. Re: Member is a conversation between Arnalds and algorithms, the programmed and the human, his own intentions and new inspirations, composed with a software called Straus connected to two player pianos. Arnalds' signature gorgeous melancholy – as heard on albums like 2013's For Now I Am Winter and the soundtrack to Broadchurch – with a gentle pulse. "Brot" features luminous throbs of strings, the itchy "Ekki Hugsa" twinkles with typewriter piano and "Inconsist" is reminiscent of fellow minimalist Hauschka gone downtempo. A gentle mix of the stiff, sad and soothing.

READ THE FULL Rolling Stone REVIEW