“Quiet is the new loud” - that’s not only the name of the iconic Kings of Convenience record; that could also be the motto of Vil: a duo made up of Maria Bay Bechmann and Julius Rothlaender, based between Denmark and Iceland. Vil’s debut album ‘Mens Vi Falder Stille‘ - officially released today - is the quintessence of all things quiet; a tapestry showcasing all possible shades of stillness, from serene to taut. The opener ‘Vinduet‘ gives a pretty good impression of what the record has in store: ambient minimalistic arrangements, clean vocals, dreamy vibes. ‘Violet‘ is one of the most remarkable tracks in this respect: tender, with Maria’s voice floating softly and carrying the melody forward. ‘På Plads‘ is a bit of an outlier on the album: louder, cheekier, it sounds almost Portishead-esque, with a generous touch of hypnotic anxiety about it.  

The album was recorded and produced by Vil themselves at home, but one cannot help but think that it might as well have been taken down amidst majestic glaciers, or black sand beaches, or fjords - in short, some place known for its cold and mysterious nordic beauty. And that’s the kind of soundscape ‘Mens Vi Falder Stille‘ slowly but firmly creates, song by song, in one’s head.

Vil will be playing a show in Berlin at Bi-Nuu on April 11, and we’ve got 2×2 tickets to give away. For a chance to win a pair, send a message to [email protected] and tell us why you’d like to attend the concert.