Jóhann Jóhannsson / AND IN THE ENDLESS PAUSE THERE CAME THE SOUND OF BEES (O.S.T.)

It probably wouldn’t surprise most, but the Type label was originally formed with soundtracks in mind. The moody music that usually accompanied their favorite independent films was a starting point for the label, so it seems perfect that nearly seven years on, they are going back to their roots, if you like, with this album from acclaimed Icelandic musician/composer/producer Jóhann Jóhannsson. Jóhannsson emerged on the influential Touch label with the genre-defining Englabörn (TO 052LP) album in 2002, and since then, he has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the most important figures in post-classical music. With two towering records for the 4AD label, it was only a matter of time before he was asked to record a film soundtrack, and And In The Endless Pause There Came The Sound Of Bees is the result. An accompaniment to Marc Craste’s animated film Varmints, this is a collection of achingly beautiful orchestral work balanced on a bed of Jóhannsson’s patented electronics. Surprisingly, however, the film itself is not intrinsic to the enjoyment of the music; Jóhannsson’s score stands alone perfectly as a haunting collection of tracks. As with most soundtracks, the album is made up of a selection of repeating themes which appear and disappear throughout the record; Jóhannsson manages to approach this with such subtlety you can’t always even tell that a familiar theme is drifting in and out of each track. The clouds of ambience and growls of synthesizer that underpin the lilt of the orchestra are crucial to the record and lend a warmth similar to what made Englabörn so very special. These pieces are memorable and deeply moving, and within one listen you could almost visualize the film itself — or at least a home made version. Soundtrack or not, Jóhannsson has created yet another peerless collection of electronic/post-classical vignettes you won’t be forgetting any time soon.