Svavar Knutur - Ahoy! Side B [CD]

<p>Some journeys just take a bit longer than expected and sometimes bring you to new and unexpected places. Icelandic singer-songwriter Svavar Knutur concludes his long-standing musical project with "Ahoy! Side B," where the friendly troubadour from the north of Iceland reflects on his life and adventures and the many roles a human must serve. Originally, "Ahoy" was supposed to be a single album. "But I really also wanted to reinterpret many of my old songs, so I decided to split the album into two parts. Two EPs with bonus tracks that would ultimately fit together as a double album," reflects Svavar Knutur.</p><p>"Ahoy!" is the story of an inner journey, encompassing all the joys and surprises that make traveling so rewarding, concluding a journey that started with his debut album Kvoldvaka (Songs by the fire) and continued through Oldusloo (Way of waves) and Brot (The Breaking). The songs revolve around significant themes such as grief, redemption, the search for meaning, the struggle against one's inner demons, and the appreciation of life, family, nature, friendship, and community. It's as wild as life itself! "The key songs of Ahoy! tell the never-ending struggle of an artist against his own fears and insecurities, but also about appreciating changes: the infinite flow of life, the slow change of seasons. But the songs also speak of the healing powers of grief and community and the need to embrace the stormy nature of life," summarizes Svavar Knutur.</p><p>The newly arranged songs hold great significance for the Icelander. He selected the tracks to "repaint," feeling that they had never fully realized their full potential. This led to breaking down one of the songs to its absolute basics, the atomic sketch. By reinterpreting the older songs, Svavar also pays respectful homage to the fantastic musicians he has collaborated with in recent years, as well as bringing forward songs that play a key part in the story that Ahoy! tells, along with some older songs that were never released on his earlier solo albums.</p><p>"This project faced its share of challenges, from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing financial struggles to unforeseen peculiarities that prompted me to reconsider, rearrange, and rerecord many ideas. Yet, I believe the album is arriving at the perfect moment. Some songs have flourished during the delays, benefiting from the time to refine and enhance arrangements. In the end, I am content--it marks the conclusion of a protracted and eventful journey," reflects Svavar Knutur with satisfaction. "If it hadn't been delayed, I would have never been able to include the amazing Norwegian singer Helene Boksle on two tracks and the song "Hope and fortune," that I wrote and performed with Canadian singer Irish Mythen wouldn't have made it either.</p>