Our new thematic list tackles a question we get often: “What are some bands similar to Sigur Rós?” While there’s no simple answer, given their distinctive sound, we’ve rounded up some artists who create lush, immersive, and slightly mysterious soundscapes, with textures and instrumentation reminiscent of Sigur Rós to varying degrees.

A quick tip: With the variety in each artist’s discography, starting with the recommended albums and tracks can help you find what you’re looking for. Happy listening!


In no particular order,

RÖKKURRÓ

  • Hometown: Iceland, Reykjavik
  • Listen: Spotify 
  • Particularly recommended album: Í Annan Heim
  • For a quick taste, check out: Í Annan Heim, Skuggamyndir

MATRYOSHKA

  • Hometown: Japan, Tokyo
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended album: Laideronnette, Zatracenie
  • For a quick taste, check out: Noctambulist, Gentle Afternoon

JÓNSI & ALEX SOMERS

  • Hometown: Iceland, Reykjavík
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended album: Riceboy Sleeps
  • For a quick taste, check out: Happiness, Boy 1904

EFTERKLANG

  • Hometown: Denmark, Copenhagen
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended albums: Altid Sammen, Lyset EP
  • For a quick taste, check out: Cutting Ice to Snow, Hollow Mountain

LOCKERBIE

  • Hometown: Iceland, Reykjavik
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended album: Ólgusj​ó​r
  • For a quick taste, check out: Í Draumi, Seyðisfjörður

STAFRÆNN HÁKON

  • Hometown: Iceland, Reykjavik
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended albums: Ventill/Poki, Gummi
  • For a quick taste, check out: Unnar, Hausi

SOUP

  • Hometown: Norway, Trondheim
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended album: The Beauty Of Our Youth
  • For a quick taste, check out: Memoirs Of An Imaginary Friend, Kingdom Of Color

AMIINA

  • Hometown: Iceland, Reykjavík
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended album: Puzzle
  • For a quick taste, check out: What Are We Waiting For?, In The Sun

SÓLEY

  • Hometown: Iceland, Hafnarfjörður
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended album: Endless Summer
  • For a quick taste, check out: Dreamers, Sing Wood To Silence

HAMMOCK

  • Hometown: United States, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended albums: Kenotic, Raising Your Voice… Trying To Stop An Echo
  • For a quick taste, check out: Blankets Of Night, Floating Away In Every Direction

GIARDINI DI MIRÒ

  • Hometown: Italy, Reggio Emilia
  • Listen: Spotify 
  • Particularly recommended album: Rise And Fall Of Academic Drifting
  • For a quick taste, check out: There Is A Place, Pet Life Saver

HELIOS

  • Hometown: United States, Portland, Oregon
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended album: Eingya
  • For a quick taste, check out: Halving The Compass, Enfold

HUGAR

  • Hometown: Iceland, Seltjarnarnes
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended albums: Hugar, Varða
  • For a quick taste, check out: Grandi, Rok

LOW ROAR

  • Hometown: United States (formed in Iceland), Reykjavík
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended albums: Ross, Low Roar
  • For a quick taste, check out: Patience, The Machine

VAR

  • Hometown: Iceland, Reykjavík
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended albums: Vetur, The Never-Ending Year
  • For a quick taste, check out: A Kaf, Varma

SLEEPY PARTY PEOPLE

  • Hometown: Denmark, Copenhagen
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended album: Floating
  • For a quick taste, check out: Scattered Glass, I’m Not Human At All

JENIFEREVER

  • Hometown: Sweden, Uppsala
  • Listen: Spotify 
  • Particularly recommended albums: Choose A Bright Morning, Iris EP
  • For a quick taste, check out: Opposites Attract, You Only Move Twice

IMMANU EL

  • Hometown: Sweden, Stockholm
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended albums: They’ll Come, They Come, In Passage
  • For a quick taste, check out: Under Your Wings I’ll Hide, On Wide Shoulders

PORNOPOP

  • Hometown: Iceland, Reykjavik
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended album: …And The Slow Songs About The Dead Calm In Your Arms
  • For a quick taste, check out: Centre, Nicotine And The Backward Lounge

FLEUR DE LIS

  • Hometown: Norway, Oslo
  • Listen: Spotify | Bandcamp
  • Particularly recommended album: In The Midst Of Chaos There Is Stillness
  • For a quick taste, check out: Abide, Blaa

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ABOUT arcticdrones

We’re a small group drawn to uncovering new music and sharing what we enjoy with like-minded listeners — through this blog, Spotify playlists, social posts, and whatever else makes sense. While the project is a labor of love, it takes a good deal of time and energy to maintain, so if something here has stayed with you, your support on Patreon would mean a lot.