Human Woman

Icelandic artists Gisli Galdur Thorgeirsson and Jon Atli Helgason each had plenty of history behind them already before coming together as Human Woman. The former has worked with Trabant (one of the better-known Icelandic groups outside of their homeland) as well as Ghostdigital and Quarashi, while the latter has operated under the alias Sexy Lazer and played with Kasper Bjorke and others. Between them, they have ventured into everything from film scores to electronic rock, but one of their commonalities is the fact that they are both in-demand DJs.
For their first full-length release as Human Woman, the Icelanders tap into their shared feel for dance music while still employing a pretty broad sonic palette. Tracks like "It's Gonna Hurt You" employ punchy punk-funk/"mutant disco" bass and a forceful feel, to achieve something along the lines of Bloc Party. "White Knight" and "Great Woman" are among the tunes that go for a more electronic atmosphere without losing an ounce of urgency or impact, ending up somewhere not dissimilar to the best of acts like Underworld. And as the album goes along, it edges towards a dreamier, more textural place, and by the time the lengthy closing cut, the appropriately titled "Sleepy," comes up, we're floating along on a billowing ambient-electronic breeze while psychedelic snatches of sitar wander by. The final feeling is one of having traversed great distances without really noticing the miles flying past. ~ J. Allen