Track Review: Vesturbæjar Beach // BSÍ

New single ‘Vesturbæjar Beach’ from Icelandic duo BSÍ showcases their sunny optimism.

Released to mark Sumardagurinn fyrst, the first day of summer in the old Icelandic calendar (April 22), the song is a humorous and fun party track, transcending the wind and rain. The accompanying music video features the pair dancing around the freezing streets of Reykjavík, eating ice cream and toting inflatables like it’s the height of summer.

With it’s Lo-fi melodies the track is a beach vacation and a refreshing, fun-loving gem. Singer Silla Thorarensen’s vocals are full of pure and infectious enthusiasm, gliding breezily over the surf-pop hooks.

Cheerfully optimistic ‘Vesturbæjar Beach’ brings forth a new side to the band, showcasing their ability to create a variety of sounds.

The light-hearted sounds and cheery vocals stand in contrast to raw tracks ’25Lue’ and ‘Dónakallalagið.’ However, this doesn’t compromise BSÍ’s punk allure. Moreover, there’s something delightfully intriguing about a band who describe themselves as weird-lo-fi-cute-pop-punk-surf-riot-indie.

Wrap up warm because it’s time for a sub-zero summer party.

Sometimes depressed … but always antifascist is the duo’s album, out May 21.

A split album with five songs of low-key heartbreak melancholy and five songs riot grrrl lo-fi-cute-punk. ‘Vesturbæjar Beach,’ along with the two preceding singles each carry unique charm, making BSÍ a band to watch.

Words by Brenna Cooper

Image: Berglind Erna Tryggvadóttir

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