Icelandic singer and multi-instrumentalist Axel Flóvent has released his new alt-pop album Away From This Dream. The album is the follow-up to his 2021 debut You Stay by the Sea.
Away From This Dream opens with Moonlight, a downtempo ode characterized by atmospheric guitar plucks and swooping keys which soar and dive like a bird in flight as we reach the chorus of “But I want you here with me now.” The repetition of the chorus lends it a mantra-like quality and the whole track possesses a touching lightness.
Next up is Don’t Wait For Summer which delivers more of a punch from the outset with its chirpy strings layered over the off-kilter drum beat and rock-inflected guitars. “Cos something, something’s in the water (you can feel it). So don’t wait, don’t wait for the summer (to make it all come true)” is a lively and vibrant chorus that becomes an earworm after just the first listen.
Have This Dance incorporates more electronic influences with the perfect marriage between the airy synths and gentle percussion. Flóvent’s smooth vocal is enhanced by the gentle harmonies and the guitar reverb solos are just the twist it needed. A definite stand-out for me.
The tempo is taken down a couple of notches when we get to Wash It Away. The track brings to mind the sound of 80s power ballads the way it’s full of atmosphere and how the simplicity of the beat coupled with the soaring synths and barely there keys harmonise so perfectly. “It’s the story of emotional connections to co-dependency” Flóvent said of the track and newest single from the album. “In the midst of dealing with emotions, difficulties, and dynamics in different relationships, you end up washing yourself away.”
Next, we descend into the joyful Chasing The Night, which feeds more into the 80s pop influences that are notable earlier in the album. A perfect track to soundtrack a night drive as you pass green light after green light, and influenced by the 80s pop radio station that Flóvent used to listen to while driving to the studio to record the album.
The racing pace comes to an abrupt halt when we reach This Feeling. Mellow and piano-led but still maintaining an edge with its reverberating electric guitars and purposeful beat. Meanwhile, When The Sun Goes Down is perfect polished pop rock where Flóvent’s vocal shines.
Recent single Asymmetry is another piano-led ode which showcases Flóvent’s faultless vocal and enviable range while Honesty brings the party back to town with its urgent beat and classic 80s guitar inflections.
Proceedings are brought to a close with title track Away From This Dream which ties up the album with a bow that comprises of a euphoric, soaring melody.
When speaking of Away From This Dream, Flóvent said “My biggest dream is for this record to stick with you long-term. Ideally, it becomes a companion to grow with you. That’s what music does for me.” I think with Away From This Dream Axel Flóvent more than achieved his goal.
Flóvent was born and raised in the Northern fishing village of Húsavík and he released his debut independent EP Forest Fires in 2015. The title track Forest Fires received over 74 million streams on Spotify and the EP was followed up by EPs Quiet Eyes (2017) and Tourist (2020). So far, 2024 has seen Flóvent headline multiple shows across The Netherlands and Iceland and he has just announced some UK tour dates for July:
- 1st July – Brighton @ The Folklore Rooms
- 2nd July – London @ West Hampstead Arts Club
- 3rd July – Gloucester @ Limelight Sessions TBC
Away From This Dream is available to stream now. Find out more about Axel Flóvent here and listen to Away From This Dream below.