In some ways, it’s only surprising that it took this long for Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, singer of Of Monsters and Men (QRO spotlight on), to put out a solo album. The Icelandic alt-folk collective has managed to get more success than most alt-folk collectives (and more than all Icelanders not named Björk). Nanna (as her solo project is named) is a notable frontwoman. And debut solo album How To Start a Garden brings her sadness in full bore, from softness to grandeur.
In this way, Garden actually does defy expectations. Yes, one would be looking for the kind of sweet intimacy of the opening title track, even the airiness of the finish “Seabed”. Yet Nanna also goes big in her resigned grief, asking “How did we get here?” in “Sputnik” and lamenting that “We’ll do this again & again & again” on the following “Crybaby”. Maybe it all stands out best on the absolutely crushing slow sadness & beauty of single “Godzilla” (QRO review). And yes, there’s some Aaron Dessner work on a few songs, because it can’t be sad girl music without some Aaron Dessner…
Trading in some of the Of Monsters and Men catch that made you say, “Hey!” back in the day, instead Nanna goes for her heart and yours on How To Start a Garden.
