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Baker's Dozen

Found Songs: Ólafur Arnalds' Favourite Albums
Wyndham Wallace , March 11th, 2013 12:56

The Icelandic neo-classical composer and producer takes a break from producing his cinematic soundscapes to pick out his 13 favourite records, ahead of his set at the Barbican tonight

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Talk Talk - Laughing Stock
Not that long ago, I think it was Ben Frost who posted ‘New Grass’ on his Facebook page. I just clicked ‘Play’ and I fell in love. I’ve been listening to it nonstop since. I had never really taken the time to sit down and listen to Talk Talk, but I knew some of their songs, especially the hits, because I’m also a pop fan. But I hadn’t heard this record. Now I have all their records, but this is my favourite. ‘New Grass’ is just amazing regardless of whatever story could be behind it. Even if you don’t know what’s behind it, when you listen to it you feel a certain atmosphere behind it. But I think the story behind it makes it even better, and you can really feel it. There is also something that I really like about not just the melodies and the songwriting, but how it was actually recorded and how it was made. When you listen to it you can feel the atmosphere in the studio at that time. It really shines through, and I think it’s really important to making this record as good as it is.