Artist: Amiina Album: Puzzle

Year: 2010
Duration: 0:0-1

The Puzzle of Amiina: A of the Album

As a music lover, I am always on the lookout for something fresh and unique, something that will take me on an auditory journey. That's why I was excited to discover Amiina's album Puzzle. This Icelandic band, comprising four talented women, has been creating mesmerizing, ambient music for years. Puzzle is their third album, released in 2018, and it offers a taste of what this group can do. Not only is the album a beautiful blend of instruments, electronic sounds, and vocal harmonies, but it also has a unique flair that sets it apart from other ambient albums. In this post, I will be reviewing the album while also providing a brief history of the band and the music genre of the album.
Amiina is an all-female quartet from Reykjavík, Iceland, composed of musicians with a background in classical music. The band formed in 1999, playing music that mixed classical and experimental influences, with a certain other-worldly quality that was in keeping with their Icelandic roots. They rose to worldwide fame after collaborating with fellow Icelandic musician Sigur Ros on multiple tracks since their formation. Puzzle is a continuation of their musical heritage, a mix of classical music with modern electronic sounds that create a unique atmosphere.
The genre of Puzzle can be classified as ambient music. It's essentially music that is meant to create an atmosphere or a mood, rather than being a song with a clear melody. It's typically instrumental, with a lot of emphasis on the emotional impact of the music. Ambient music can be used in a variety of settings, from relaxation to meditation and even as background music in films. Puzzle is a perfect example of this genre since it creates a world of sound that takes you on a journey.
The stand-out tracks on the album for me are Puzzle, Thoka, and Djupalon. Puzzle sets the tone for the album, incorporating electronic sounds with traditional instruments to create a haunting, ethereal sound. Thoka sounds like a mix between Bjork's experimental music and classical music elements, and it works really well. I also enjoyed the track Djupalon mainly because of its unique percussion sounds, which are reminiscent of water droplets and set a melancholy mood for the listener.
What is impressive about Puzzle is the way that Amiina utilizes a variety of different instruments to create a polished sound. They use violins, cellos, and acoustic guitars, along with traditional Icelandic instruments like the kalimba and glassophone. The use of electronic sounds is also notable, with the band incorporating the sound of water droplets, bird calls, and other sounds from nature into the music. It creates an overall feeling that the listener is along on a journey through Iceland's natural beauty.
As a critic, I can say that Puzzle is not without its faults. Some tracks can be a bit repetitive, and the lack of clear melodies can make it difficult for some listeners to engage with the music fully. But overall, I think that Puzzle is an excellent album that showcases Amiina's diverse musical abilities and their skill in creating a unique soundscape for listeners.
After listening to Puzzle, I can confidently say that it's an album that deserves recognition. Amiina's blending of classical music with modern electronic sounds to create a unique sound is nothing short of brilliant. While it's not an album that everyone will appreciate, I think that anyone who enjoys ambient music will find something to love about Puzzle. I would recommend this album to anyone looking for something fresh and innovative in the world of music.
After listening to Puzzle, I can confidently say that it's an album that deserves recognition. Amiina's blending of classical music with modern electronic sounds to create a unique sound is nothing short of brilliant. While it's not an album that everyone will appreciate, I think that anyone who enjoys ambient music will find something to love about Puzzle. I would recommend this album to anyone looking for something fresh and innovative in the world of music.