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'.
Undone
Ólafur Arnalds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The distance between ourselves and that other
Outside world becomes smaller and smaller
And this world that we are inside
Which seems so huge in the beginning
And so infinitely welcoming
Has become very uncomfortable
And we are obliged to be born
And my father says that birth is so
Chaotic and violent that he's sure
That at the moment of birth, we're all thinking
"This is it. This is death. This is the end of my life."
And then we're born and it's a surprise
'Cause its just the beginning
The lyrics to Ólafur Arnalds's song Undone explore the theme of the passage of time and the process of growth and change. The first verse speaks to the experience of becoming more successful or well-known, but simultaneously feeling increasingly disconnected from the outside world. The second verse continues this theme, reflecting on how we gradually become trapped in our own existence and how this can be uncomfortable.
However, the song then takes a turn by bringing up the concept of birth. Arnalds's father describes it as a chaotic and violent experience, leading one to believe death has come, only to surprise us with the beginning of life. This shift in perspective suggests that growth and change are not necessarily negative or uncomfortable experiences. Instead, they are essential parts of the cycle of life, much like birth and the beginning of a new phase.
Overall, the lyrics to "Undone" are thought-provoking and encourage the listener to reflect on the many changes and transitions we face throughout our lives. They remind us that while these experiences may be difficult or uncomfortable, they are also necessary and can bring about new beginnings and opportunities for growth.
Line by Line Meaning
As we get bigger and bigger
As we grow and develop, our sense of self increases.
The distance between ourselves and that other
The gap between ourselves and the outside world starts to narrow.
Outside world becomes smaller and smaller
The world beyond our inner circle seems to be getting tinier.
And this world that we are inside
The world that we inhabit is our own creation.
Which seems so huge in the beginning
At first, our world appears vast and full of endless possibilities.
And so infinitely welcoming
It is an inviting and hospitable place, meant for us to thrive in.
Has become very uncomfortable
Over time, it has become an unpleasant and unwelcoming place.
And we are obliged to be born
We are forced into existence without our consent or choice.
And my father says that birth is so
According to my father, the act of being born is a violent, chaotic experience.
Chaotic and violent that he's sure
My father has no doubt that birth is a traumatic and forceful process.
That at the moment of birth, we're all thinking
At the point of birth, we are overwhelmed with the sensation of death and the end of life.
"This is it. This is death. This is the end of my life."
We believe that the experience of birth is the end of our lives and the start of death.
And then we're born and it's a surprise
However, when we finally emerge from the womb, it is startling and unfamiliar to us.
'Cause its just the beginning
Birth is only the start of our journey, and there is so much more to come.
Writer(s): Olafur Arnalds
Contributed by Madison S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marynewheatfields
Magnús Jóhann made something I will remember here. I won't forget his name, never. 🌾💎
@morituro
Wonderful work from young talent Magnus Johann Ragnarsson
@SAUNITRIES
Omg. What a masterpiece. 🔥
@sara_diaz_
Loved it ✨
@musascuianas5034
Viajando por la Puna de Jujuy, en Argentina, casi Bolivia, tu música suena realmente universal
@bagussetiaji5118
Beautiful ❤❤❤
@vitoria_vmz1682
q lindo
@postgold
💙
@prdz653
This artist, noted. Thank you
@lourdesaldea8172
Lento paréntesis