Starting out as drummer for several hardcore/metal bands, Ólafur was asked to write instrumental intros and outros for the album "Antigone" of German metal band Heaven Shall Burn. This led to more work in the field of neo-classical strings and piano based music, and ultimately to the release of Eulogy for Evolution and the beginning of Ólafur's partnership with Berlin based label Erased Tapes. In 2008 he embarked on a tour with fellow Icelanders Sigur Rós.
In 2009 he started a week-long project of composing one track by day, making it immediately available online to his fans. The collection was later officially released under the title Found Songs. He repeated the same experiment in 2011 under the title Living Room Songs. Also in 2009 the ballet Dyad 1909 premiered with a score composed by Ólafur. Choreographed by Wayne McGregor and performed by Wayne McGregor Random Dance, the ballet was inspired by Ernest Shackleton’s Nimrod Expedition to the South Pole in 1909. That year he also started Kiasmos, together with Janus Rasmussen. Kiasmos is a minimal techno based project. Their self titled debut album was released in 2014, preceded by the Thrown EP.
In April 2010 Ólafur released his second full-length album entitled ...And They Have Escaped The Weight Of Darkness, which was backed up with an extensive tour, including his first trip to China.
His third album, and the first to be released under his new partnership with Universal Music's Mercury Classics imprint, is titled For Now I Am Winter and planned for international release in February 2013. Expanding on his previous work the new album features a full orchestra and – for the first time – introduces vocals to his soundworld. Icelandic singer Arnór Dan is to be heard on four tracks of the album.
More recently Ólafur has been venturing into the world of films, writing his first Hollywood film score to Another Happy Day. He also had music in the hit film The Hunger Games and has been featured several times on popular American television show So You Think You Can Dance. For 2013 his scores include the music to the ITV thriller series Broadchurch, starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman, as well as to the film Gimme Shelter, directed by Ron Krauss and starring Vanessa Hudgens and Brendan Fraser.
In 2014 Arnalds won the prestigious BAFTA Television Craft Award for his score to the BBC's hit detective series 'Broadchurch'.
Old Skin
Ólafur Arnalds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Roves an oath, in search for something more to be
"Still hard for me"
Treading lightly, tightly shedding its old skin
Leaving trails of night for light to bring chagrin
While air grows thin
Surrounding what's left inside its chest
We too shall rest
Roaring lungs, as oath becomes through flight past trees
Only the rhythm of love escapes the harmonies
Leaving us a beat
In these hands I'll hide, in these hands I'll hide
While this world collides, this world collides
It's not enough for me, it's not enough for me
In these hands I'll hide, in these hands I'll hide
(Where the woods would wear the wafting sounds of sea)
While this world collides, this world collides
(Where the woods would wear the wafting sounds of sea)
It's not enough for me, it's not enough for me
In these hands I'll hide, in these hands I'll hide
While this world collides, this world collides
It's not enough for me, it's not enough for me
The lyrics to "Old Skin" by Ólafur Arnalds feat. Arnór Dan are reflective and introspective. The song is about shedding old layers of oneself and searching for something deeper and more fulfilling. The first stanza talks about a journey through the woods, searching for something more, but it's "still hard" for the singer to find it. The second stanza continues with this theme of shedding old skin and leaving behind the past. The singer is moving towards the light, but the air is growing thin, suggesting that the journey may not be easy.
The third stanza introduces the idea of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The "roaring lungs" represent the passion and vitality of youth, but eventually, we all must rest. The final stanza brings the focus back to the singer's immediate surroundings. They will hide in their hands while the world around them collides. The repetition of "it's not enough for me" suggests that the singer is still searching for something deeper and more meaningful.
Overall, "Old Skin" is a deeply introspective song that touches on themes of growth, change, and mortality. The lyrics are poetic and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a journey towards self-discovery and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Where the woods would wear the wafting sounds of sea
The place where the forest meets the shore is being described with the image of sea sounds being carried by the wind.
Roves an oath, in search for something more to be
An oath travels around this location and seeks a greater purpose or meaning.
"Still hard for me"
This line suggests that the singer is struggling with something, despite the beauty of the scene described in the previous lines.
Treading lightly, tightly shedding its old skin
Something is moving carefully, shedding its old self in a way that is both close-fitting and secure.
Leaving trails of night for light to bring chagrin
As it moves, this thing leaves behind the darkness, which is transformed into sadness by the return of the light.
While air grows thin
The atmosphere becomes gradually thinner, as if oxygen is scarce or the subject is ascending to a higher altitude.
Wailing winds, alarm, in feathers it have dressed
The winds sound like they are crying out, and the being described is dressed in feathers that suggest some kind of readiness, but also a need to protect itself.
Surrounding what's left inside its chest
The feathers serve as a shield for what remains within this creature's chest, perhaps indicating a sense of vulnerability.
We too shall rest
This line suggests that all living beings will one day come to an end, implying a sense of mortality.
Roaring lungs, as oath becomes through flight past trees
As the oath takes flight, it is accompanied by the sound of thunderous breath, passing through the trees in its wake.
Only the rhythm of love escapes the harmonies
Love is the only emotion or force that remains separate from the otherwise harmonious sound of the oath's flight.
Leaving us a beat
The last line of the stanza suggests that we humans are left with only a single pulse or moment in the wake of the oath's flight, reminding us of our own impermanence.
In these hands I'll hide, in these hands I'll hide
The singer seeks refuge and protection within their own hands, perhaps indicating a sense of insecurity or anxiety.
While this world collides, this world collides
The repeated phrase suggests a sense of chaos, conflict, or tumult happening in the world around the singer.
It's not enough for me, it's not enough for me
The singer feels dissatisfied, wanting or needing something more than what they currently have or experience.
Contributed by Tristan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tarasmithtara1
Where the woods would wear the wafting sounds of sea
Roves an oath, in search for something more to be
"Still hard for me"
Treading lightly,
tightly shedding its old skin
Leaving trails of night
for light to bring chagrin
While air grows thin
Wailing winds, alarm,
in feathers it have dressed
Surrounding what's left
inside its chest
We too shall rest
Roaring lungs, as oath becomes through flight past trees
Only the rhythm of love escapes the harmonies
Leaving us a beat
In these hands I'll hide, in these hands I'll hide
While this world collides, this world collides
It's not enough for me, it's not enough for me
In these hands I'll hide, in these hands I'll hide
While this world collides, this world collides
It's not enough for me, it's not enough for me
@stedhardy
Something is in the water in Iceland. They are birthing out some of the best musicians in the world.
@amandarosito4895
I completely agree with you!
@n33wom
I've found Olafur and Low Roar, could you pleeeeease tell me some more? This stuff is awesome.
@stedhardy
Check out Ásgeir Trausti!
@stedhardy
Also, check out Nils Frahm - Toilet Brushes. Not Icelandic, but reminds me of Olafur. They are actually good friends.
@amandarosito4895
Thank you Hardy!...or takk fyrir
@ArminJohansson
It's not actually a sad video. The man who is alone on his island in the middle of nowhere seem's to be longing for company or exhilaration. And he finds it by diving below the surface of the water in his bathtub to party.
At first when he is dancing he is amazed and awestruck by the colors and lights and beauty of this place that he wished to be in. But soon the smile leaves him and is exchanged for confusion, perhaps disappointment. Perhaps this thing that he longed for wasn't as amazing as he'd imagined it to be.
Now the most important part of this video is the mans expression when he returns from the disappointing revaluation that the party was not for him, back to the loneliness of his bathtub.
He is quite clearly smiling.
I think that he realized that this Island life was exactly what suited him, even though others may think it appears lonely.
@erkanytu
The reason for his facial expression to change in the scene is that he is being breathless in real life.
@shadow_finds_light
Yessssss. Thank you for this!!!!
@Cocksmoker87
You and Arnór Dan need to make more stuff together man.