- Thule, the label founded by Thor (the "Godfather Of Icelandic Techno"), was crucial to establishing Iceland's techno scene in the late '90s and early 2000s. In the last few years, it's made a comeback, releasing new stuff from mainstays Exos, Ruxpin, Plastic and the label boss himself. Now, the Thule sub-label Æ Recordings returns with its first record in 14 years, Freyja, made by a young Reykjavik artist named NonniMal.
On the title track, synths and chimes shimmer like light reflected off ice, the percussion is light and woody and the pads are warm and inviting. "Laufa" is a little weirder, mixing tough, punchy percussion and cool dub melodies with an eerie sci-fi streak. "Mjallhvít" (meaning Snow White) has a certain fairytale playfulness with a sinister edge. It's a standard club track that sounds as if it's under fire from more experimental ideas. On "Oprah," a strange little loop becomes the subversive backbone of the skeletal yet highly effective production. "Agnarögn" closes NonniMal's strong debut with dark braindance acid.
TracklistA1 Laufa
A2 Freyja
B1 Mjallhvít
B2 Oprah
B3 Agnarögn