JFDR - 'Life Man'
Icelandic singer JFDR sweeps us up in her dreamlike new single Life Man, from her upcoming album Museum, via Houndstooth.
Life Man beckons us into its warm bubble bath of humble instrumentation, starting with a groovy smooth bass line, percussive claps, and haunting dreamlike vocals.
The song progresses gently with JDFR’s sweet and soft-spoken trance-like voice expressing her feelings inspired by “..When you get a second to breathe and an overwhelming wave of existentialism hits you in the face. It’s a good time to ask questions, as it is all very strange indeed.”
More textured percussive and melodic elements are introduced as the hypnotic chorus develops, with the lyrics “This could be a feeling // I can’t tell // This could be the season // I just don’t know it.”
The chorus makes use of its sleek main bass grove and builds some momentum into the tune with the introduction of guitars and some hauntingly beautiful backing vocals peppered in the background.
As the song finishes and slowly fades away to its main percussive elements, it leaves you in a trance-like state.
Multi-instrumentalist and experimental singer-songwriter, also known as Jófríður Ákadóttir, expresses her inspiration for this album as “an album about clearing and healing: like breathing fresh strong air through your old self.”
Museum (out April 28th) follows her acclaimed 2020 album New Dreams, and for JFDR, represents a new era, a further “step to somewhere” in her ever-growing career, which is spanning an impressive 14 years and 12 records so far.
Right in the middle of a body of new work, refreshed and rejuvenated and welcoming back her buried creative impulses after encouragement from her partner, JFDR is set to go on tour around the UK and Europe in the spring. Shows are planned in London and Brighton.
Life Man is a light airy breath of fresh air, perfect for springtime listening.
Words by Roslyn Adlam
