The first time amiina released a record, the "animamina" EP in December 2004, they were pretty much a group in concept alone, having previously played together only as a string quartet round their native Iceland and more latterly as Sigur Ros’s string section on their world tours. amiina, the performing group, didn’t really come about until July 2005, with the four girls expanding their role with Sigur Ros to one of live opening act.

Two of the songs here formed part of the set Solrun, Maria, Edda and Hildur honed together on the road until the summer of 2006, gradually building from the bottom up the idea of what kind of a band amiina might turn out to be. "Seoul" and "Ammaelis" showcase two very different aspects of their productivity, although each provided live highlights. The third song, "Ugla", came about in brief periods at home between Sigur Ros dates, when the foursome, playing their position as a genuine garage band in the arse end of Reykjavik 101, decided to start singing on their previously instrumental compositions. The 12” vinyl version of this single even carries a 4th track, a brilliant remix of "Seoul" by Frakkur – a quick search on the internet will let you know who this mysterious Frakkur is.

Together the three songs make a compelling and somewhat magical package of pure musical beauty. amiina makes orchestrated chamber pop music that on all levels, the composing, the melodic, the sonic spheres, completely captivates the listener.

It is an ...