Icelandic indie folk artist Arny Margret takes us on a track-by-track journey through her deeply moving second album, ‘I Miss You, I Do’ – a personal, gentle, yet ambitiously bold effort that embraces a broader sound while maintaining its emotional authenticity.
Arny Margret has a unique talent for rendering the vast intimate. Originating from the secluded Westfjords of Iceland, the singer/songwriter has consistently built a presence with her heartfelt, introspective lyrics and soft, delicate melodies. Her music radiates a quiet intensity, melding folk influences with profound emotional depth that lingers long after the last note. Following her debut album, ‘they only talk about the weather’ released in 2022, she returns with ‘I Miss You, I Do,’ a profoundly intimate and expressive work that broadens her musical horizons while staying true to the confessional style that initially captivated her audience.
Released on March 7th through one little independent records, ‘I Miss You, I Do’ represents both a continuation and an evolution in Margret's artistry. With a richer sound shaped by collaborations in the U.S. and Iceland, she embraces folk textures and layered instrumentation, creating a sense of artistic growth and exploration in songs that are gentle yet dramatic—always tender at heart. Ultimately, this album remains deeply personal, featuring a collection of moments from Margret's life, unified by the same honesty and vulnerability that characterize her earlier works.
“It’s kind of like a diary for me, stories and experiences from my life,” Margret shares with Atwood Magazine. “The songs are all written around the same time, so they fit well together. The only vision I had was to create a bigger and folkier sound. I think it didn’t really change throughout the recording process; it just got clearer and more cohesive to me.”
To bring ‘I Miss You, I Do’ to fruition, Margret ventured out of the solitary confines of her initial songwriting and into studios across the U.S., collaborating closely with distinguished producers including Brad Cook (Bon Iver, Waxahatchee, Hurray For The Riff Raff), Andrew Berlin (Gregory Alan Isakov, Rise Against), and Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman, Bob Weir, The Hold Steady). Each collaborator added a new layer to her music, encouraging her to explore fuller arrangements and richer soundscapes while preserving the intimate essence at the core of her artistry. From sessions in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Gregory Alan Isakov’s studio in Colorado, and Kaufman’s workspace in Woodstock, New York, the album reflects both physical and creative transitions as Margret embraces a larger, more expansive sound without losing the authentic sincerity that defines her work.
“I think it reflects who I am at this moment in time, which also aligns with my debut album ‘they only talk about the weather’,” she explains. “I’m ready for a bigger sound now, and I want to explore more. Back then, I was just starting out, creating songs in my room. I was accustomed to my music being very raw, which was my approach at the time. I believe I’m continually evolving and growing with my music.”
Margret openly describes ‘I Miss You, I Do’ as bright, honest, and vulnerable. “I liked the title; it’s simple but meaningful to me,” she says with a smile. “I also appreciate the song and its story, which revolves around missing a loved one who is far away. I wrote that song in about 10 minutes the night before recording with Josh. I had various ideas for album titles, but this one felt right; it felt bright and hopeful.”
From start to finish, ‘I Miss You, I Do’ offers an exceptionally beautiful listening experience. The album begins with its title track, where Margret immerses herself in a sea of melancholic nostalgia and unfiltered yearning, weighed down by recent memories and the bittersweet nature of her current emotions. “Twenty-three and a midlife crisis,” she sings softly against a warm backdrop of acoustic and electric sound. “Will you sing me to sleep? You’re so far, and I’m tired of calling, dreaming of the day we meet.” Her soul is laid bare; her voice rich, delicate, and haunting, with emotions flowing from every word.
This sense of vulnerability pervades all ten tracks on ‘I Miss You, I Do,’ with each song serving as both a time capsule and a cathartic expression from the depths of the artist's soul. Highlights include the heartfelt confessional “Crooked Teeth,” the sweetly moving “I Love You,” the charmingly playful “You’re Mine, I’m Yours,” and the atmospheric and mesmerizing “Happy New Year,” which concludes the album on a wistful note.
“My highlights from creating the album definitely include recording in the U.S. and the experiences I had working with the producers,” Margret reflects. “I
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Icelandic indie folk artist Arny Margret guides us through her deeply moving second album, ‘I Miss You, I Do,’ exploring each track. This work is intimate, delicate, and ambitiously bold, embracing a broader sound while maintaining its raw emotional essence.