Name: Ask The Deep
Brand: Soley

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

mm138cd

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2015-05-18

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Shellshock

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Soley

Genre GB

Indie Pop / Shoegaze

Label GB

Morr Music

Morr Music is a Berlin-based label run by Thomas Morr. With the LabelCode LC10387, it has established itself as a prominent player in the music industry. Known for its innovative and diverse roster of artists, Morr Music continues to push boundaries and deliver exceptional music to its audience.

Since its inception, Morr Music has been at the forefront of electronic and indie music scenes, releasing groundbreaking albums that have garnered critical acclaim worldwide. The label's commitment to quality and artistic integrity is evident in every release, making it a trusted source for music enthusiasts looking for something unique and captivating.

With an impressive catalog spanning various genres including electronica, pop, folktronica, and more, Morr Music offers a rich musical experience that appeals to a wide range of listeners. From *The Notwist* to *Lali Puna*, from *Múm* to *Seabear*, their talented roster of artists never fails to captivate with their distinctive soundscapes and heartfelt lyrics.

Sóley Stefánsdóttir, also known as Sóley, is an Icelandic artist who specializes in delicate electronic pop music. She is a member of the indie acts Seabear and Sin Fang but has also established herself as a solo artist. Inspired by renowned Scandinavian acts like Sigur Rós and Múm, Sóley began her musical journey in her teens and honed her skills in piano and composition at the Icelandic Art Academy. Overcoming initial stage fright, she embarked on her solo project and released her debut EP, Theater Island, in 2010 through Morr Music. The following year saw the release of her first full-length album, We Sink.

With influences from fellow artists within the industry such as *Soley GJ* and *Arguelles*, Sóley's unique sound sets her apart from others in the genre. Her music showcases a blend of ethereal melodies with intricate electronic elements that captivate listeners. Drawing upon personal experiences and emotions, Sóley's compositions create an immersive experience for fans.

Having collaborated with Seabear and Sin Fang earlier in her career, Sóley gained valuable experience that shaped her artistic development. This led to the creation of her own distinct style characterized by haunting vocals layered over atmospheric instrumentals. With each release, she continues to push boundaries while staying true to herself as an artist.

Referring to the silence that returns when 2014's Krómantík EP fades out, Icelandic musician Sóley Stefánsdóttir says, "Your closed eyes slowly start seeing something much deeper and darker," and now that something is here, right in front of us: Ask the Deep is a stunningly dark and deeply personal departure after the minimalist and bleak piano compositions of said EP. Her soft voice leads us deeper and deeper into the shadowy fairytale worlds only hinted at on previous releases such as her 2010 Theater Island EP and 2011's much-praised We Sink debut album. Ask the Deep sees the bespectacled songwriter open Pandora's box — and close it eventually. At least for now. "Have I danced with the devil?" Sóley asks on album opener "Devil," then crescendos, "Does he still love me?" Once the melodic surges of "Devil" lead to other fairytale soundscapes — the piano no longer the main character of Sóley's music — more and more ghosts, both real and imaginary, enter the scene. Inspired by a news story about a man who was buried alive in Brazil, "Ævintyr" marches in circles with tribal beats underneath ethereal swirls, and "One Eyed Lady" is perhaps Sóley's most minimalist lullaby yet, the beatless account of a one-eyed witch who would actually "kill for love," as the song's mantra reverberates into the void. With looped forces of gravity and swerving nods to Philip Glass, "Follow Me Down" is a brooding call to enter the distorted depths, to go beyond the point of no return, to leave the comfort zone. And it's a reminder: we still sink. Amid the flotsam and jetsam, things appear that weren't previously there — hard-hitting drums set to Beach House vibes ("Dreamers"), a haunted church showdown with the jilted devil ("I Will Never"), even a hint of unlikely, hopeful pop ("Breath"). Taking her listeners on a journey to phantasmal grounds, her sophomore full-length is both more intricate and diverse in how it's written, arranged, and narrated. And it's even more obvious that her voice is crucial in guiding the way to that place where one can live, that safe shore on the other side of the ocean. "You must face your fairytale," Sóley sings. She does, as the music maker, but we are the dreamers of the dreams.

Ask The Deep

Music GB