Ólafur Arnalds – some kind of peace

“This album is almost an awakening for me to a completely new life that I don’t think I would have been ready for otherwise. I’m in a very happy relationship now that I don’t think I would be if I hadn’t had the shock to my system, because I just wouldn’t have been open to it. So this album is very much about love, and not being afraid of it.“

– Ólafur Arnalds (source: Dimitra Gurduiala)

For more context on Ólafur’s motivation behind “some kind of peace,” click here.

My soul has been craving this kind of music, and not gonna lie, the feeling of solitude that comes along with the season of snow.

It’s a place not many of us want to go to, know how to access, and definitely don’t know how to remain comfortable in. But like my friend told me over coffee at my place this morning, this inner signalling from our wisest self clearly tells us how badly we need to be in this place.

The snowy months are my time for this. I can’t get my running, swimming, or cycling in, so I end up being more stationary. I can definitely solve this lack of physical exercise if I considered it a problem, but instead I see it as an opportunity to practice slowing down.

I’m not sure what I would do if it wasn’t for winter. It’s been a pivotal time in the year for me for the past 4 years. I need it to force myself to take the time to become grounded, based, and reconnect with the important aspects and purpose of my everyday.

Ólafur provided me with this two years ago in his first solo album, re:member, and is doing it again.

If you like his stuff, I highly recommend checking out his tiny desk concert, which I play very often as my students trickle into my classroom before the morning bell.

Teachers: besides his tiny desk concert, his album re:member is awesome for playing during in-class work periods!