The last last time I was in Reykjavik I ran into Jóhannes Pálmason & Pan Thorarensen together at Pan’s record store / music venue Space Odyssey. I’ve known them both through their music for over a decade, Jóhannes via his unique hip hop project Epic Rain, and Pan as part of Stereo Hypnosis and solo as Beatmakin Troopa. Little did I know they’d have a new collaboration coming out in 2024.
“Ymja‘s subject matter is based on old sci-fi movies like Blade Runner, Stalker, Solaris and even cartoons they enjoyed when they were kids, like Tintin,” reads the album description on the Space Odyssey Bandcamp page. And those vibes are certainly there, especially on tracks like “Vera” and “Veröld”, the sinister beats and electronics creating a anxiety-laden canvas on which Jóhannes’ low and menacing voice can paint. Even without understanding Icelandic, you can feel the lyrics.
The soundscapes work at two levels. A portion is very up front, clear to the ears and pushing the tracks forward. But there is also a more subtle level bubbling up underneath. I’d already listened to Ymja a few times before I experienced it with my headphones on, and man, it was a different, more immersive listen, one impossible to consume passively. There are so many low-key elements that aren’t exactly hidden, but are certainly less prominent, that add color to the overall mood and vibe. The same is true of Jóhannes’ delivery which flows with more nuance, both the main vocals and the parts lower the mix. Ymja is a haunting and unique masterwork.
You can give Ymja a listen, as well as purchase a digital copy, at the Space Odyssey Bandcamp page HERE (note it is release in partnership with Jóhannes’ VAX label). Tracking down a copy of the cassette will likely prove more difficult, so you best get it on you Discogs Wantlist.