The Passionate Calm Of Ólafur Arnalds

Enlarge this image

Ólafur Arnalds Anna Maggy/courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption

Anna Maggy/courtesy of the artist

Ólafur Arnalds

Anna Maggy/courtesy of the artist

Ólafur Arnalds' album some kind of peace is the most impactful record I've heard this year. The album, centered around Ólafur's melodic piano sounds, is packed with passion but generates an aura of calm. The songs work as a background music, but they're also rich in the kind of textures and intricacies that make it the perfect headphone album.

I spoke with Ólafur Arnalds from his studio in Reykjavik. On this episode of All Songs Considered he plays DJ for us and selects music from the many collaborators who helped shape the sound and words on some kind of peace.

Below are some of the songs from Ólafur and some of his collaborators, including Josin, JFDR and Sandrayati Fay.

Josin: "In the Blank Space" from In the Blank Space

JFDR: "Taking A Part Of Me" from New Dreams

Ólafur Arnalds & Josin: "The Bottom Line" from some kind of peace

Ólafur Arnalds: "Woven Song" from some kind of peace

Ólafur Arnalds: "Undone" from some kind of peace

Ólafur Arnalds: "finding some kind of peace (behind the scenes film)"