Isbjörg – Falter, Endure

It’s always a great feeling to discover a new band that instantly stands out – and I was happy when I discovered Isbjörg just a few months ago, as it turns out this is definitely such a band for me. Based in Denmark, 6-piece stadium-math rockers are releasing their sophomore album “Falter, Endure”, and I am about to dive deeper and tell you why you should have a listen too, and, who knows, maybe discover a new favourite band?

Even though it’s been 5 years since the band’s debut album, “Iridescent”, the new release is a continuation and the evolution of their own unique sound, which is piano centred (the band members are all Agent Fresco fans), therefore creating the catchy melodies, sometimes melancholic, and sometimes radio-friendly, and I don’t mean it in a bad way. The melodic undertones highlight the main themes of the album, which are enduring loss and personal struggle and overcoming them, which is also highlighted by “Falter, Endure”.

Musically, Isbjörg offers a great mix of prog elements, powerful choruses that you can find in pop music, guitar riffs, and even an occasional sax(‘Solitaire’), and nothing really seems out of place. The songs are well crafted to stay memorable, and I find myself coming back to them again and again.

Math rock elements are also present here, but they are subtle enough and won’t bore you, being quite masterfully married with the piano soundscapes, so, unlike many math-rock counterparts, the complicated guitar parts, while still present, are not the main focus of the composition – but rather complimenting the main piano melody, which makes this music more accessible to a wider listener than your regular math rock. The band jokingly calls themselves “Coldplay in ⅞”, and there’s definitely some truth to that.

Five years after their debut release, Isbjörg came back with a very remarkable album, which will most likely be in my top-10 of the year. Heavy at times (‘Dressed in White Lies’), but also soft and touching (‘Inure’, ‘Under Your River’), it definitely made me feel slightly melancholic but also hopeful, and that’s the main theme of  “Falter, Endure”.

This band deserves a spotlight, and if you like melodic prog (Subsignal, Agent Fresco) with a lot of piano melodies and a bit of math guitar goodness, you should definitely check this album out. Some choruses might be even stuck in your head afterwards.

Also, the band was kind enough to talk to us prior to the release, you can find the interview here if you want to learn a bit more about Isbjörg : https://theprogspace.com/interview-with-isbjorg-even-when-youre-at-your-lowest-you-can-find-the-will-to-push-through-and-overcome-anything/

Track List:

1. Ornament
2. Homeward Bound
3. Am I the Sinner Now?
4. Under Your River
5. Afterglow
6. Inure
7. Solitaire
8. A Storm to Weather
9. Perfect Sky
10. Dressed In White Lies
11. The River of You