Icelandic singer-songwriter Valborg Ólafs has thrown down the gauntlet for 2026 with one of her most impressive efforts to date. The expansive and reverent new track, ‘Breathe With Me’, slows the breath, loosens the shoulders and focuses the mind.
Opening with an eerie wash of sonics, bright, wobbling keys, falling synthesisers and a soft and hypnotic vocal, the first chorus breaks open the doors. Fascinating harmonies, a beautiful brass line and strong bass all join the ghostly sounds over a strong, but understated beat.
The music finds strength in its contrasts, collapsing down to the quiet and punching out to the highest heights. The atmosphere is assured, patient, the folk venturing out into alt-pop territory without losing its storytelling ability or melodic decisiveness. Cinematic, grand, ever rising, it’s a soothing, elegant gem.
Valborg speaks to the single’s inspiration, “‘Breathe With Me’ came to me one morning as I sat in the kitchen drinking my first cup of coffee. I lit a candle and found myself thinking about writing exactly this, about arriving here beneath the mountains “Eyjafjöll”, where there is calm and a deep stillness in nature.”
Though Valborg has always been known for an intimate delivery, this track undoubtedly takes a step in a new direction, working in new meditative lyricism and refined production flourishes. Alongside her own releases, she also teaches singing to children, nurturing confidence and creativity in the next generation. It’s another reflection of her values, inspirations and presence and makes her music sound all the better.
Check out the single here…
