For over twenty years, GusGus has paved the way for the Icelandic electronic scene, releasing ten studio albums, remixing the country's most iconic artists, and playing numerous sold-out international tours. Read on to learn a little more about GusGus, and enjoy my Top 5 tracks from the band.
Photo above from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by DarwIn. No edits made.
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GusGus started in 1995 as an acting and filmmaking collective, founded by former Eurovision contestant and solo artist, Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson. Originally, the group had twelve members, though the lineup would change time and again as individuals broke off to pursue other successful projects.
For example, filmmakers Arni and Kinski left GusGus in its early years to open their own production company, Celebrator, while former member Emilíana Torrini recorded a song for Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy following her departure from the group.
National icons Stephan Stephensen (aka: President Bongo, Alfred More, President Penis) and Birgir Þórarinsson (aka: Biggi Veira, Biggo) were part of the group’s early core, while lead vocalist Daníel took a brief hiatus in the early 2000s. In 2015, Stephan Stephensen departed to focus on solo work. In recent years the core has centred on Daníel and producer Biggi Veira, joined by vocalist Margrét Rán Magnúsdóttir in 2021.
GusGus firmly established themselves in Iceland between 1995 and the millennium, releasing four studio albums that were critically praised at home and abroad.
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Hreinn Gudlaugsson. No edits made.
Understandably, GusGus was always going to draw comparisons to fellow Icelanders, The Sugarcubes. However, the two bands are totally different in sound and style. Whereas The Sugarcubes were all about letting loose, GusGus dedicated themselves to the art of restraint.
The band found particular success in the United Kingdom, a country then buzzing with late-night raves and acid-house energy. That kinship helped GusGus seize opportunities abroad, and ever since, they’ve enjoyed reshaping their sound and bringing it to eager audiences worldwide.
Though widely considered an electronic band, GusGus can slip into many categories, including techno, house and trip-hop, some even call it electronic soul.
One reason for this fluid identity is the ever-changing membership. With a shifting lineup, GusGus draw on each member’s distinctive tastes and skills, folding them into the band’s DNA.
- See also: Sigur Rós | 18 Seconds Before Sunrise
The best place to see GusGus live is, of course, their hometown of Reykjavik. The band sits at the heart of the scene and frequently appears at major local events such as Secret Solstice, Iceland Airwaves, and Sonar Festival, alongside extensive touring across Europe and beyond. For current dates, check the band’s official Live page.
Below I’ve listed five taster tracks as an introduction to the eclectic sounds of Iceland’s premier electronic outfit. With a career spanning decades, it’s impossible to pick five that please everyone, regardless, these are essentials for any Icelandic playlist, as perfect for a pre-night-out as for a solitary drive through Iceland’s cool Nordic landscapes.
1)Over, "Arabian Horse" (2011)
One of the group’s major singles, ‘Over’ features the haunting voice of Urður Hákonardóttir on the 2011 album Arabian Horse. Her sweet, sultry vocalisations fit perfectly with the mysterious, beautiful music video, painting Iceland with an ethereal magic we can all recognise.
The music video was directed by debut filmmakers Ellen Loftsdóttir and Thorbjörn Ingason and showcases the fabric designs of fashionista Guðmundur Jörundsson.
‘Over’ is a prime example of GusGus’ theatrical, camp edge and their nostalgic connection to the early-nineties scene. Despite the natural aesthetics of the video, the music firmly plants GusGus in the realm of urban electronica.
- See also: Of Monsters and Men | A Melodic Odyssey
The album received positive reviews after its release, praised for balancing big hooks with cool restraint across Daníel Ágúst’s and Siggi’s serene, emotive vocals.
2)Add This Song, "24/7" (2009)
‘Add This Song’ opens the band’s seventh studio album, 24/7. It’s GusGus at their minimalist best, techno and house in sleek, hypnotic form. Daníel’s poised vocal, composed anguish, really, rides a precise, mechanical groove.
Released by German electronic label Kompakt, the record drew praise for its mid-nineties rave spirit refracted through the band’s refined lens. As Drowned in Sound noted, it begins like Boards of Canada before pulsing into a mid-nineties, rave-influenced direction.
Make no mistake: 24/7 is a dance album, albeit a moody one. Lyrically, it reflects the difficult economic times following the 2008 financial collapse, less sympathetic hand-holding than clear-eyed late-night catharsis.
3) Crossfade,"Mexico" (2014)
If anything is going to get you dancing at two in the morning, it’s something like ‘Crossfade’. The anthem builds patiently on a thumping rhythm, culminating in a gorgeous man-on-man duet that hovers between humorous and eerie. Watch the video and you’ll see what I mean.
The album title was coined by Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson; Mexico became a metaphor for our enduring urge to head westward. Released on Kompakt, it features nine tracks, including one instrumental.
The track premiered at Sónar Reykjavik 2013 to instant praise; the album itself drew mixed notices, with critics noting the contrast between big-room festival moments and more stripped-back techno.
4) David, "Attention" (2002)
This is my favourite GusGus flavour: ‘David’ conjures packed dance floors, strobes, and a sea of nodding heads. This lover’s ode to the elusive David is rightly a classic in Iceland, and a staple on my own playlists.
Reminiscent of early Fatboy Slim, ‘David’ teases a gentle build before slamming into a kinetic bassline and synth-laced beats. It’s that signature GusGus balance, emotive vocals over thunderous techno.
‘David’ appears on Attention, which arrived with a reshuffled lineup on the Underwater label and earned strong reviews in 2002.
5) Believe, "Polydistortion" (1997)
Last, though certainly not least, is the oldest pick here: ‘Believe’, from Polydistortion, captures GusGus in their early heyday. Falsetto flourishes, grinding beats, grungy textures, dark, glowering funk made sublime by a cheeky Kool & the Gang sample (‘Jungle Fever’).
Polydistortion was the band’s first formal album as an outfit and drew high praise on release, showcasing the group’s knack for turning understatement and melancholy into electronic beauty.
The album came out on 4AD, a label renowned for artists like Pixies, St. Vincent, Bon Iver and The Breeders. Praise was high; critics lauded its cool restraint and start-to-finish cohesion.
Far from slowing down, GusGus have stayed busy in recent years, releasing Mobile Home (2021) and the concept album DanceOrama (initially released in 2023, with a broader roll-out in 2024). The creative spark that defined their early work continues to evolve on stage and in the studio.
To catch GusGus on tour, keep an eye on their official Live page for the latest dates and tickets. Tickets can also be found here.
Written by Mike Chapman
