SHHE returns with new ambient single ‘Hólar’ inspired by Icelandic geology

Electronic artist SHHE has recently completed a self-directed residency in the Westfjords of Iceland and the Scottish-Portuguese artist has taken a shine to the Icelandic musical way. Inspired by the dramatic and minimalist landscapes around her, SHHE was drawn to field recordings and geological data to shape her sound. Returning each winter over five years, the project expanded to creating a sonic map of the Dýrafjörður. This meant recording full spherical audio above ground and using a hydrophone to record underwater. If the weather permitted, SHHE and collaborator Sam Annand would travel around Dýrafjörður and record. This included staying with villagers and some even performed on the album – providing vocals or playing the langspil.

The recordings, return visits, friendships and sonic mapping form ‘DÝRA’, a four track mini-album which will be released on 19th July. It is a deeply meditative album chronicling the relationship between sound and landscape in Dýrafjörður. SHHE found the experience profoundly moving and built an installation for a live performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022. Now in 2024, the work is ready to be released as a musical piece. The lead single ‘Hólar’ is calming, understated and glacial in its droning, swirling hum. It’s the closing track on ‘DÝRA’ which you can listen to below.

For more information on ‘DÝRA’ and all things SHHE, visit her website.

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