| Without Sinking | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 30 March 2009 (2009-03-30) | |||
| Genre | Experimental | |||
| Length | 47:58 | |||
| Label | Touch | |||
| Hildur Guðnadóttir chronology | ||||
| ||||
Without Sinking is the second solo studio album by Icelandic musician and composer Hildur Guðnadóttir. It was released in 2009 through Touch Music.[1]
Background
Without Sinking is Hildur Guðnadóttir's first solo studio album since Mount A (2006), which was released under the pseudonym Lost in Hildurness.[2] It includes contributions from Skúli Sverrisson and Jóhann Jóhannsson, as well as Hildur's father Guðni Franzson.[2] It was mixed by Valgeir Sigurðsson and Hildur herself.[3]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [4] |
| Cokemachineglow | 78%[5] |
| PopMatters | 9/10[6] |
| Record Collector | [7] |
| Tiny Mix Tapes | [8] |
Philip Sherburne of Pitchfork stated, "As patient as they are graceful, Without Sinking's 10 quietly expressive tracks are studies in the properties of layers; their closely harmonized voices move as naturally as tall grass in the wind."[9]
Without Sinking was named one of the six best albums at the 2009 Kraumur Awards.[10]
Fact placed the album at number 32 on its list of "The 40 Best Albums of 2009".[11]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Hildur Guðnadóttir.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Elevation" | 5:51 |
| 2. | "Overcast" | 3:14 |
| 3. | "Erupting Light" | 2:17 |
| 4. | "Circular" | 4:13 |
| 5. | "Ascent" | 4:36 |
| 6. | "Opaque" | 3:46 |
| 7. | "Aether" | 5:07 |
| 8. | "Whiten" | 4:49 |
| 9. | "Into Warmer Air" | 6:06 |
| 10. | "Unveiled" | 7:12 |
| Total length: | 47:58 | |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.[12]
- Hildur Guðnadóttir – cello, zither, electronics, vocals, recording, mixing
- Skúli Sverrisson – bass guitar (1–6, 8–10), electronics (1–6, 8–10)
- Jóhann Jóhannsson – organ (2, 3, 9), electronics (2, 3, 9)
- Guðni Franzson – clarinet (7, 10), bass clarinet (7, 10)
- Valgeir Sigurðsson – mixing
- Denis Blackham – mastering
- Jon Wozencroft – photography
References
- "Hildur Gudnadottir". Touch Music. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- Monger, Timothy. "Hildur Guðnadóttir". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- "Hildur Guðnadóttir - Without Sinking". Hildurness. Retrieved 19 December 2009.
- Raggett, Ned. "Without Sinking - Hildur Guðnadóttir". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- Abraham, Mark (13 May 2009). "Hildur Guðnadóttir: Without Sinking". Cokemachineglow. Archived from the original on 13 May 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- Martin, Erin Lyndal (20 May 2009). "Hildur Gudnadóttir: Without Sinking". PopMatters. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- Shirley, Ian (26 December 2011). "Without Sinking | Hildur Guðnadóttir". Record Collector. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- Bezan, Stephen. "Hildur Gudnadóttir - Without Sinking". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- Sherburne, Philip (11 February 2020). "7 Must-Hear Recordings by Hildur Guðnadóttir, Who Just Made History at the Oscars". Pitchfork. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- "Kraumsverðlaunin". Kraumur Awards. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- "The 40 Best Albums of 2009 (page 1 of 4)". Fact. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- Hildur Guðnadóttir (2009). Without Sinking (CD booklet). Touch Music.
External links
- Without Sinking at Discogs (list of releases)