Bál

Bál is an Icelandic indie folk duo bringing dreamy soundscapes to the chilly Nordic music scene. Formed in 2018 by multi-instrumentalists Sigurlaug Thorarensen and Einar Hrafn Stefánsson, their music weaves haunting vocals, minimalist arrangements, and lyrics steeped in Iceland’s stark natural beauty. Tracks like "Kul" (Coal) and "Hún finnur mig" (She Finds Me) showcase their knack for blending traditional folk storytelling with modern, reverb-drenched atmospherics. They’ve become festival favorites at events like Iceland Airwaves, earning praise for live performances that feel both intimate and glacier-sized. While details about their personal lives stay refreshingly low-key, their releases—including the brooding "Absolution"—keep cementing their status as Iceland’s best-kept musical secret.