Samaris: Black Lights review

For their second studio album, Samaris have changed a major facet of their writing method: their language.

The Icelandic trio have switched from their native tongue to English, although it’s fair to say that you won’t be listening to their incursions into aloof, foreboding electronica for their lyrics.

Jófríður Ákadóttir’s vocals, on the other hand, prove intoxicating, particularly when coupled with the foreboding jitter of the title track, Wanted 2 Say’s flush of synths or the clipped beats and shimmer of R4ven.

Obvious touchpoints include The Knife, Disclosure and Bat for Lashes, with I Will providing one of the tracklisting’s more groove-laden moments.

It’s all very austere and stylised, making Black Lights somewhat difficult to feel affection for – but there are occasional electrifying chinks in its impervious facade.

[ samaris.is ]