Arabian Horse: Vinyl 2LP GusGus

It’s been two years since GusGus graced us with their enigmatic Kompakt debut “24/7”. This album was
return to form for the trio, earning much acclaim and fanfare thanks to its conceptual rigidity and pure
glamour. Conceived solely with the help of two precious Doepfer modular systems and Daniel August’s allpervasive
vocals, it could have been easily characterized as Gus Gus’ unofficial live album. If you had the
chance to catch one of their many live shows on their exhaustive world-wide tour, you know what drive and
emotion their show brought to the stage and crowd.

Let’s fast forward to present day. The trio comprised of President Bongo, Biggi Veira and Daniel August felt
the urge to reunite. They set up a makeshift studio in a summer cottage in the depths of the lava field.
Secluded in silence and beauty they began working on their seventh studio album and have delivered
“Arabian Horse” – a full length that brims with highlights showcasing GusGus’ versatility and stunning
songwriting ability to creative levels that we feel is their greatest accomplishment in their 15+ year history. A
vast array of illustrious guest musicians and singers abound on these powerful ten new songs. Most
prominently, we welcome the long awaited return of former band member and gifted vocalist Ur?ur “Earth”
Hákonardóttir who appears on the three songs “Be With Me”, “Arabian Horse” and “Over”. Hogni Elisson
recently released a wonderful album with his band Hjaltalin and lends his voice to some of the album’s most
memorable and deepest moments. Samúel Jón Samúelsson contributes the elevating, goosebump-inducing
string arrangements, Davd Thor Jonsson contributes accordion and the banjo. Even an unnamed Gypsy
combo leave their mark on “Arabian Horse”!

Compared to GusGus’ stripped down predecessor for Kompakt, “Arabian Horse” is much more “in your face”
– the songs brim with big gestures, enthralling hooks, pop and soul! GusGus have perfected the craft of
balancing that fine line between commercial pop and underground dance music. But who needs
compartmentalization when we’re talking about music and emotion? Take the powerful schaffel (aka shuffle)
anthem “Deep Inside” which makes use of big room chords you’d normally hear in more commercial tunes
but balances that with a ferocious bass line and vocal duel that belongs to anyone. This sincerity in their
music carries throughout “Arabian Horse”. Another prime example of this is the Högni fronted “Within You” –
strings converge with his breathtaking vocals backed by a thoroughly addictive techno bass kick.

It’s a fact that GusGus retrace their original influences and have created a dance pop album that equally
resonates a forgotten period of early ‘90’s dance pop (think The Beloved), classic house music and urban
soul a la Massive Attack. But make no mistake, “Arabian Horse” does not sound like pure retro in any way.
It’s deeply rooted in the sound of today backed by one of the most state-of-the-art quality productions
Kompakt has released to date. Still need a tag? Why not: Icelandic Hi-Tech Soul.