múm announces 'History of Silence' LP out 9/19 via Morr Music; shares "Mild at Heart" single, announce fall tour

múm is back; the Icelandic collective is set to release a new album in September! Read the official media release below and watch the music video for the new advance track "Mild At Heart"...Robert Kinsler

múm announces new album History of Silence   Vivid new single "Mild at Heart" out today   Fall North American tour announced   Album out September 19 via Morr Music     WATCH + LISTEN: "MILD AT HEART"

Credit: Jennifer Medina

múm are returning with a new album on Morr Music. Announced today for a September 19th release date, History of Silence is the first full body of work by the Icelandic collective since 2013's Smilewound and their seventh studio album to date—recorded, deconstructed, put back together again, refined and finished over the course of two years. Vibrantly oscillating around a carefully curated palette of electronic and analogue sounds, the eight new tracks reflect the group's continuous striving to explore sonic spaces through subtle yet gripping songwriting.   Today they share the new single and video "Mild at Heart" which flows freely from start to finish with moments of silence sprinkled in. It's an open-armed introduction to the music on History of Silence, which moves like weather: unexpected, intimate, quietly detailed. Contrasted with vivid phrases, rhythmic shifts, and small hooks, the album offers a new angle of compositional clarity and vision.   The Icelandic outfit recently returned with a closing night showcase at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, and have announced their coast-to-coast North American tour starting this September. Check out the "Mild at Heart" video on YouTube, pre-order the album here, and see below for the full list of tour dates.   For a long time now, múm have been exploring the idea of distance in their music. In the beginning, this was born purely out of necessity. Founded in Iceland in the late 1990s, the members soon began embarking on journeys across the world—collectively while touring, but also individually, exploring new places to live and create. Settling in, moving on, catching up: The concept of distance soon became an integral part of the collective's process. History of Silence leans into this idea, with space and time becoming indispensable pillars of the arrangements. While being coherent and structured, they echo their origins from different seasons, cities, and spaces—neatly stitched together with unparalleled craftsmanship. They breathe an overall airy and intimate atmosphere, yet resonate with the structural heft of time.   On History of Silence time manifests in unexpected, liberating, and mesmerizing ways. It does not move reliably forward; it drifts, takes twists and turns, even disappears completely. Electronic textures blur into acoustic sounds, voices flicker and dissolve, melodies stumble and repeat. The arrangements often feel like they’re wandering, gently resisting direction. "Our Love is Distorting," for instance, begins with a subtle piano motif, playing hide and seek with feedback noises, digital artefacts, and lush—yet very quiet—string arrangements, before gradually forming into a distinctive song. It's a perfect illustration of múm's general approach on this album.    Work on History of Silence began at Sudestudio in southern Italy. Additional recordings were made in Reykjavík, Berlin, Athens, Helsinki, New York, and Prague. The strings were recorded by Sinfonia Nord at the Hof concert hall, Akureyri, arranged and conducted by Ingi Garðar Erlendsson, who has worked with the band for many years. The orchestral elements don’t dominate the record—instead, they surface gently, adding depth and resonance to the songs without disturbing the songs' fragility.   Contrary to what the album title suggests, History of Silence is a collection of bold and colorful songs, no matter how muted they might sound at times. They tickle like a feather drifting through the wind, ending up in unexpected places, stimulating long-forgotten thoughts and feelings, intimate moments of introspection. The songs move through the echoes those moments leave behind: the emotional traces of things unsaid, the weight of stillness. Offering closeness by means of distance and much-needed support. Bless.

múm Tour Dates 9/16 - Philadelphia PA - Underground Arts 9/17 - Washington DC - The Atlantik 9/19 - Brooklyn NY - Pioneer Works 9/20 - Hudson NY - Hudson Hall 9/21 - Boston NY - Crystal Ballroom 9/23 - Portland ME - Space 9/25 - Toronto ON - Axis 9/26 - Chicago IL - Old Town School of Folk 9/28 - Saint Paul MN - Turf Club 9/30 - Denver CO - Meow Wolf 10/3 - Portland OR - Wonder Ballroom 10/4 - Vancouver BC - The Pearl 10/5 - Seattle WA - Neptune Theatre 10/7 - Sacramento CA - Harlows  10/8 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent 10/9 - Los Angeles CA - The Regent

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múm History of Silence Morr Music September 19th, 2025   Tracklisting 1. Miss You Dance 2. Kill the Light 3. Mild at Heart 4. Avignon 5. Only Songbirds have a Sweet Tooth 6. Our Love is Disorienting 7. A Dry needs no Winding 8. I Like to Shake

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New titles: The Rolling Stones, Jónsi, The War on Drugs, Ian Jones

Here is a roundup of some wonderful new titles available now.

Title: The Rolling Stones: Unzipped

Authors: Anthony DeCurtis (introduction); Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 288

Artwork: 370 color illustrations

Tell me more: With The Rolling Stones currently in the final month of their "No Filter Tour" — which wraps up at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida on Nov. 23 — now is the perfect time to celebrate the legendary band's six-decade career by delving into "The Rolling Stones: Unzipped." This just-published hardcover edition is loaded with historical photos, artwork, rock and roll memorabilia and recent interviews with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and the late Charlie Watts (who passed away on Aug. 24, 2021 at the age of 80) along with luminaries such as bluesman Buddy Guy, producer Don Was and film director Martin Scorsese whose insights collectively add depth to every page of this book. Author-music critic Anthony DeCurtis presents an informative and compelling introduction that illuminates the reader about why The Rolling Stones were so crucial in the early history of rock music and why the British band's importance extends far beyond their influential music to culture, fashion, film and beyond. It's no secret that The Rolling Stones are widely recognized as the "greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world." "The Rolling Stones: Unzipped" makes a pretty compelling case why that's true. Information: ThamesAndHudsonUSA.com.

Artist: Jónsi

Title: Obsidian (Jónsi)

You might like if you enjoy: Jónsi, Sigur Rós, Dead Can Dance

Tell me more: Leave it to Sigur Rós singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jónsi to surprise the world with the gift of new music on Oct. 29. Without advance fanfare or notice, the artist's third solo album Obsidian dropped to coincide with his art installation of the same name (which is running through Dec. 17, 2021 at the Tanya Bonakdar Gallery in New York). The exhibition was inspired by the recent eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano in his native Iceland. Obsidian, according to a media release, "centers on the Icelandic natural wonder. Recorded and produced in tandem with the works on view, the parallel formats inform one another and interweave through their embodiment of volcanic energies. Over the course of 10 tracks, each with evocative titles referencing sights, textures, and aromas of the ashen terrain, Jónsi takes his listeners through narrative arcs between erupting flares.” Indeed, "Obsidian" is both mesmerizing and immersive, with Jónsi's otherworldly vocals cascading over and amidst a Neo-symphonic sonic sphere that extends just over an hour in length. The truly haunting opener "Vikur" is followed by a parade of incredible cinematic compositions; "Ambrox" is at once gorgeous and experimental while "Kvika" is bolstered by choral and sci-fi sonic elements. Other standouts on this wonderful album include the enrapturing title track, classical-centered "Öskufall" and sweeping marathon-length closer "Hedione." Information: Jonsi.com. 

Artist: The War on Drugs

Title: I Don't Live Here Anymore (Atlantic Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young, Band of Horses, The War on Drugs

Tell me more: The War on Drugs are one of the most original and talented American rock bands to emerge in the 21st century. On the Adam Granduciel-led Philadelphia-spawned troupe's new album I Don't Live Here Anymore the soaring guitar sonics that elevate the group's introspective songcraft and expansive soundscapes are thankfully intact. Co-produced by Granduciel and Shawn Everett, the War on Drugs' fifth full-length album and first since 2017's brilliant A Deeper Understanding — which won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards — provides an even more nuanced approach for listeners to celebrate. On the anthemic "I Don't Live Here Anymore" (bolstered by indie pop Lucius' luxurious vocals), quiet "Living Proof," buoyant "Harmonia's Dream," daring "I Don't Wanna Wait," melodic "Wasted" and shimmering "Change" and "Occasional Rain" collectively display the astonishing range of Granduciel (lead vocals, lead guitar), David Hartley (bass guitar), Robbie Bennett (keyboards), Charlie Hall (drums), Jon Natchez (saxophone, keyboards) and Anthony LaMarca (guitar). Information: TheWarOnDrugs.net.

Artist: Ian Jones

Title: Evergreens (Thin Silver Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Peter Case, Michael Ubaldini, Bob Dylan

Tell me more: The release of singer-songwriter Ian Jones' new The Evergreens EP confirms the arrival of a terrific talent. The six songs on The Evergreens showcase an artist blessed with top-flight abilities as a lead vocalist, compelling songwriter and a musician with a genuine knack for blending the best of Americana, roots and heartland stylings into his signature sound. Following up on his 2019 release Results Not Typical, Jones understands that important themes and lyrical tales work best when embedded in memorable songcraft; that is clear across a track listing that never falters. My favorites include the lovely countrified opener "Evergreens" that explores the courage of those who leave for home in pursuit of their dreams, the Dylan-worthy "Liars, Criminals, Beggars and Thieves" (a well-aimed view of politicians), the poignant "Hallelujah" and infectious "Promised Land." The outstanding EP was produced by Jessie Siebenberg (Supertramp, Lucas Nelson and Promise of the Real). Information: ianjonesmusic.com.

 

Robert Kinsler