Emiliana Torrini: Today Has Been OK

"And I thought today had been OK.

Today has been OK."

Every now and again an artist comes along with something that moves me. They touch me to the core. They give us something that reminds us of the beauty of what it means to be human. Unlike the forgettable pop garbage on mainstream radio, music aficionados have to dig a little deeper for the quality pop music.

This writer was brought to Emiliana Torrini twice before truly connecting with her and I'm not exactly sure why, because there is a depth of emotion to her music that is long absent from most popular music.

Her contribution to the film Sucker Punch (2011) with a cover of Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit was epic. Long before that I really didn't give her outing Love In The Time Of Science (1999) a proper evaluation. Production on that effort was led by none other than Tears For Fears' Roland Orzabal, a lifelong favorite in pop music.

Going back to that effort, assimilating her various rarities and listening to her new music, Torrini has quietly become one of my absolute favorite female artists. Far surpassing the more quirky Bjork, the fellow Icelander Torrini is my cup of tea along with Iceland's Of Monsters And Men (featuring Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdottir). The aforementioned vocalists are all incredibly talented, distinct and beautiful in their own rights thanks to a commanding vocal presence graced with a lilt that is truly identifiably Icelandic stunning.

There's something about the simple, folk beauty of a song like Today Has Been OK that just hits me every time it hits my playlist. This writer never tires of the composition. My daughter finds it all a bore but sadly lacks the maturity of taste. Today Has Been OK is truly the perfect sample from the soft, gentle, reflective collection that is Fisherman's Woman (2005), perhaps my favorite Torrini recording to date. Collectively it works as one beautiful piece in much the same way My Head Is An Animal (2012) by Of Monsters And Men moved me.

But Torrini was coming at the Fisherman's Woman collection from an incredible personal place and anyone who enjoys music without a lot of production noise and distraction with a woman writing reflectively from the heart should absolutely add this journey to their collection.

Fisherman's Woman (2005). B+. Recommended. A gorgeous collection of independent folk stirrings replete with gorgeous melodies. A vastly different recording from the electronic stylings of her Love In The Time Of Science (1999). Its emotional resonance will move like the waves under a fisherman's boat.

Today Has Been OK. The sixth track on the twelve song production is likely my favorite because I can't tell how often I've literally thought to myself "well, today has been okay, not bad, not great, but I should be grateful." Still it's by no means the only beautiful number here.

Olafur Arnalds Featuring Arnor Dan: So Far

"So far from who I was...

from who I love... from who I want to be."

Theme music can be a tricky business. Instrumentals are ideally the way to go for my money. Theme music is even trickier with lyrics. Think Where My Heart Will Take Me by Russell Watson for Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005) or the theme to Buck Rogers In The 25th Century (1979-1981) and Wonder Woman (1975-1979).

These are songs that either rise or fall with fans, loved and adored or shunned altogether and tolerated. Of course with streaming today you can skip right over the introductions.

Personally I'm open to all kinds of themes and typically they work for me. Rarely does a theme fail but they are out there. Still, I personally love the variety that exists.

This writer recently completed the British crime drama Broadchurch created by Chris Chibnail (show runner for Doctor Who Series 11) starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman. The series is immaculate. It is a flawless crime drama that hits every mark for its entire three season run.

Most important for our entry today is the fact its opening theme captured an air of eloquent, haunting beauty each and every episode. There was a grace and mystery to the composition that just invades the senses. It is quite possibly one of the finest lyrical theme songs to ever grace this writer's ears.

So Far was composed by Iceland composer Olafur Arnalds with vocals by Arnor Dan. This ear worm of gorgeous composition worked its way into my subconscious quickly and became a favorite after viewing just a few episodes of the series. While the music or scoring certainly speaks for itself Dan gives it all a voice and a beautiful one.

I was so intrigued by the voice of Dan that I investigated and researched his other works. There wasn't a lot of information available only that he had provided his vocal skills to a number of Arnalds compositions. Dan doesn't even possess a single solo album, but is the lead to the Icelandic band Agent Fresco (formed in 2008) which has concluded production on the three recordings to date. He may not be instantly recognizable, but judge the man no further than by the strength of his voice. His turn on So Far is profoundly delicate and moving. Equally strong for the Broadchurch series was So Close and Take My Leave Of You. These compositions and Dan's work with Arnalds in many ways do not represent his efforts with Agent Fresco. Personally, I prefer his guest appearances with Arnalds over the Fresco numbers.

Broadchurch (2013). A. Highly Recommended. The sorrow-filled, hauntingly beautiful music for the series is worth any fan's library of theme and/or television composition. Songs like the theme selections (So Close, So Far) truly set the tone for this quality series.

Wild Belle: Losing You

"Am I losing you?

Is this where the story ends?
Am I losing you? Am I on my own again?"

My latest discovery is Wild Belle, the brother/sister duo of Elliot and Natalie Bergman.

The act's first album was Isles (2013). The second was Dreamland (2016), a near perfect collection of sensual, gritty, swaggering vocals inspired by the likes of Amy Winehouse.

Losing You is just one of the wonderful compositions from the aforementioned 11 track gem.

Additionally it doesn't hurt that Natalie is easy on the eyes, while complementing that beautiful growl of a voice. Her brother is alternately a fine foil throughout on these magnificently dreamy numbers. Dreamland is proof enough this duo has talent and we look forward to what's next.

Dreamland (2016): A-. Highly Recommended. A sterling gem of a sophomore effort. No slump here. Each selection shines and the ones that don't immediately grow on you quickly.

Losing You: The second track on the recording is a stellar example of what's on offer.

The Pop Song

This writer is passionate about a lot of things. Science fiction film, film and television in general and music. In fact, music may be my greatest passion. My attempt here is to offer you in brief the music discoveries of my life. Time is of the essence and with these limitations I hope to make this fun.

Each post will feature an image from my iPhone offering you a shot of the actual song that inspired me to write on that day. And like the pop song itself these posts are intended to be short and sweet.

I'll have a bit of fun grading these songs and their respective full-length recordings but at the end of the day these things are entirely meaningless when it comes to music. It is a completely subjective experience. There is no denying that.

You will also find I am all over the map musically from the 1970s to the present with a heavy and loyal emphasis on artists from the 1980s. I'm extremely loyal to that era.

Inspired by the likes of Casey Kasem from my childhood, please enjoy the passion for these pop songs in written form here at The Pop Song blog.

No matter how you slice it these little nuggets, irrespective of genre, are indeed great pop songs. Turn up the volume!