Hot Spring Kerið: A Sonic Postcard from Iceland That Sticks With You
If you’ve ever wondered what Iceland sounds like in album form, Hot Spring Kerið by Various is your answer. Released back in 2014 on the Sena label, this eclectic mixtape of Folk, World, Country, Rock, and Pop vibes feels like a warm hug from an old friend—or maybe that one quirky cousin who always has interesting stories to tell. It’s got Indie Rock grit, Indie Pop charm, and just enough Icelandic soul to make it feel totally unique.
The brainchild of Icelandair staff (yep, the airline folks!), this compilation was clearly put together with love. And hey, props to Íslenska for the design—it’s as cool as the music inside. Mastered by Bjarni Bragi Kjartansson, the sound quality glides smoothly whether you’re listening on headphones or blasting it in your car.
Now, let me get real for a sec. There are some tracks here that I can’t stop humming days later. Take “Toothwheels” for example. This song hits you with this raw energy that’s hard to shake off. The melody twists and turns like gears grinding against each other—hence the name—but somehow still feels smooth. It’s the kind of track that makes you wanna roll down the windows and scream into the wind. Then there’s “Young Boys,” which sneaks up on you with its dreamy vibe. Something about the way the vocals float over the instrumentation gives me chills every time. It’s nostalgic but fresh at the same time, like finding an old photo album and realizing how much fun those moments were.
Other standouts include “Bad Weather” (which honestly could be Iceland’s unofficial anthem) and “Ég Vildi Fegin Verða,” where the lyrics hit deep even if you don’t speak Icelandic. Tracks like these remind you why Iceland punches above its weight when it comes to music.
What really struck me about Hot Spring Kerið is how well it balances genres without feeling forced. One minute you’re swaying to something folky, the next you’re headbanging to indie rock riffs. It’s messy in all the right ways, kinda like life itself.
Here’s the kicker though—I didn’t expect to learn so much about Iceland just by listening. The whole thing feels like a musical postcard, complete with geysers, glaciers, and midnight sunsets. By the end, I almost felt guilty for not booking a flight to Reykjavik immediately. Almost.
So yeah, Hot Spring Kerið isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s heartfelt, weird, and full of surprises—just like the country it represents. If you’re into discovering hidden gems, grab this album. Or better yet, let someone else discover it through you.
