Two years ago Icelandic outfit Hjaltalín excited with their amazing orchestral pop debut, ‘Sleepdrunk Seasons’, receiving much and well deserved praise, and last year they released this second and just as great effort titled ‘Terminal’ in Iceland. On it they continue the debut’s enticingly playful blend of rock, pop and classical music with a slightly darker touch and taking it a step further down the classical road.

It does get a bit much for my liking when they go all Broadway musical on us in ‘Montabone’, ‘Feels Like Sugar’ and ‘Vanity Music’, but they are more than overshadowed by awesome first single ‘Suitcase Man’, debut era Hjaltalín ‘Sweet Impressions’, mellow pop gem ‘Stay By You’ with a little 70s disco-funk in the chorus, beautiful ballad ‘Sonnet For Matt’ and dramatically somber ‘Song From Incidental Music’.

In March ‘Terminal’ was named Best Pop/Rock Album of 2009 at the Icelandic Music Awards and it is truly an excellent sophomore effort – as demanding as it is rewarding – which I’m sure will earn Hjaltalín even more acclaim as it works its way around the world.

Genre: Alternative/Rock
Who: Hjaltalín
Album: Terminal
Label: Borgin Hljómplötur
Year: 2009/2010
Country: Iceland
Language: English
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Recommended tracks:
Suitcase Man – Sweet Impressions – Song From Incidental Music – Stay By You – Sonnet For Matt