Flowers

Adventurous music fans may know the Icelandic acts Múm or Sigur Rós—and perhaps Seabear, which scored song placement in American TV shows like Gossip Girl. Musical maestro and vocalist Sindri Már Sigfússon started Seabear as a solo project in 2003; it's since evolved into a full band. He's also continued his solo expressions as Sin Fang. Flowers is Sin Fang's second full-length album, with a big, lush sound: cavernous production, horns, playful and offbeat keyboards, clattering hollow snares. Yet it maintains that sense of intimacy that graces so much music coming from Iceland. Even on more rambunctious tunes like "See Ribs" and "Not Enough"—which gallop into the night on stormy guitars and frisky percussion—Sin Fang delivers a sound that feels personal, warm, and organically earnest. Flowers actually rocks quite a bit. Sigfússon's ghostly vocals and golden harmonies (along with cheery handclaps and orchestral strings) weave a warm, welcoming cocoon, painting Iceland as a mysteriously and magically inspiring place.