Gabríel Ólafs – Absent Minded (One Little Independent Records, 2019)
Gabríel Ólafs is a masterful composer and pianist from Reykjavík, Iceland. His debut album, Absent Minded, reveals a remarkable mix of western classical music, contemporary jazz, and ambient electronic textures. The album is a splendid cinematic journey, each piece a mesmerizing exploration of the emotional and imaginative visions.
Ólafs, a prodigy from the tender age of five, eschewed conventional training, favoring a more intuitive approach to music. His preference for playing by ear and crafting his own miniature melodies set him apart early on. “I love old movies and stories. Film scores demand emotional depth, multiple emotions, and their part in telling a story,” Ólafs explained, underscoring his passion for thematic composition.
At just 19, Ólafs captivated audiences with his first live performance on Icelandic TV, presenting an exceptional talent for symphonic storytelling. His ability to compose memorable themes for characters and places is evident in ‘Absent Minded’, the album’s lead single, penned when he was only 14. This piece encapsulates the daydreams and imaginary worlds that characterize his introspective nature, reflecting the moniker “absent minded” bestowed upon him by those who know him.
Isolation in his small Icelandic hometown fueled Ólafs’ creativity, transforming mundane surroundings into cinematic moments. His compositions are imbued with a sense of narrative, whether inspired by a storm flooding his studio (‘Staircase Sonata’) or his mother’s serene gardening (‘Floral Hymn’). The latter, a tribute to her peaceful solitude, captures the essence of her introverted nature.
Ólafs’ ingenuity extends to his use of felt piano, a technique that adds an otherworldly texture to his music. “I like to put a layer of fabric between the hammers and strings of my piano to make it sound softer,” he reveals.
The emotional depth of Ólafs’ music is striking for someone so young. His album, a deeply personal reflection of his imagination and emotions, invites listeners to conjure their own stories and interpretations.
Musicians:
Strings: Ragnheiður Ingunn Jóhannsdóttir, Sólrún Ylfa Ingimarsdóttir, Sólveig Vaka Eyþórsdóttir, Anna Elísabet Sigurðardóttir, Hjörtur Páll Eggertsson, AND Andri Ólafsson.
Percussion glockenspiel, marimba, vibraphone: Svanhildur Lóa Bergsveinsdóttir.
Electric guitar, lapsteel: Rögnvaldur Borgþórsson.
Moog bass, Rhodes: Magnús Jóhann Ragnarsson.
Piano, synthesizers, celesta, electronics: Gabríel Ólafs.
Buy Absent Minded.