A cinematic music powerhouse is making waves. The Nordic super duo SAGES, featuring Ólafur Arnalds and Loreen, forms a brilliant partnership that captivates audiences, creating a desire for more music and film releases.
Occasionally, a connection in life feels destined. It resonates so profoundly that it’s challenging to view it differently, perhaps rendering any alternative perspective unnecessary.
"Sages" signifies guidance, as in trusting your instincts and inner wisdom. As Loreen elaborates, the term "sages" holds significant meaning. “It’s a response to the collective happenings in the world today and what we believe should be at the center of attention. Our society bombards us at an incredible pace, leading to shorter attention spans.”
“This beautiful chaos surrounding us compels us to activate our intuition and recognize that a universe exists within ourselves as well.”
So far, the creative collaboration between the renowned Icelandic producer and composer and the celebrated Swedish Eurovision winner has resulted in an intriguing self-titled EP and a striking short film.
Ólafur, who is always seeking variety and expanding his horizons, speaks with Clash on a late March afternoon about the invigorating nature of their partnership and how writing songs in Iceland exceeded his expectations.
“Most of this project explores a minimalistic space that neither my music nor Loreen’s typically occupies, yet it emerges as a natural evolution of our work. For me, it’s been a wonderful chance to experiment and venture into territories I wouldn’t usually explore, while still feeling very much at home in that space.”
While there was initial mutual respect and admiration, it continues to deepen as they learn more about each other.
What surprises Ólafur is how similar they are as artists. “Our worlds share commonalities beneath the surface; they’re simply presented differently. Our ideologies and concepts behind the music often resonate strongly with one another. We both deeply value authenticity and vulnerability.”
Having a collaborative relationship with someone is not uncommon, but there’s more to achieve and other qualities within a partnership. The producer typically avoids working with someone he doesn’t know, as he finds closeness vital to the creative process.
“At the end of the day, we’re just hanging out, with music at the core, much like meeting friends for a board game. When we get together, the priority is that we connect, have meaningful conversations, and enjoy ourselves. Usually, I wouldn’t meet someone I found on Instagram, but in this case, we were very fortunate.”
Expanding into other areas, the vocalist noticed a shared perspective. “I didn’t expect him to have such a similar outlook on life. He experiences the same thought processes regarding why we create music; he approaches it spiritually, just as I do. I was surprised to discover his spiritual depth and understanding.”
This kinship is reflected in the cinematic aspects of their artistry. “We layer significant meaning into our music,” Ólafur explains. “The surface may appear different, but once you delve deeper, we share so much in common. We felt that immediately in the studio.”
Both share an intrinsic sense of instinct. The singer discusses activating the inner voice that guides one through life, enhancing happiness. “You become whole and complete. You will grasp your connection to everything around you. With the tools to navigate your emotions, you can start making decisions that positively impact your life. SAGES represents who you are, the tools aiding your navigation through life, and the inherent interconnectedness of everything.”
Exploring SAGES through the medium of film became a fitting outlet for both artists, even if the initial idea for a short film arose later in the process. Directed by Thora Hilmars, the visual project SAGES – by Ólafur Arnalds & Loreen is undeniably compelling. It channels the pursuit of freedom, whether through rebellion or alternative means, and unfolds a narrative inspired by real events, realized through their song ‘In the Sound of Breathing.’
The film's creation has kept the entire team busy and engaged, essential for authenticity. “Both of us participated at every step; otherwise, the project would lose its genuineness,” Loreen asserts. “We collaborated closely with Thora.
“We aimed for the narrative to mirror today’s world and illustrate how the subconscious mind and physical body strive to break free from societal belief systems that are unhelpful. In this case, through dance, we reflect the resistance faced by the human mind.”
Commonly referred to as the dancing plague of 1518, it relates to events in Strasbourg when participants danced uncontrollably, leading to some ultimately dying. While undeniably tragic, Loreen and Ólafur’s film incorporates a layer of humor that aligns with the genre-blending and eclectic essence of their work.
“People danced themselves to death,” the composer reflects. “They couldn’t stop. It was as if they entered a trance and were unable to cease. We wondered: were they sick or truly free? That inspired us to
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A formidable force in cinematic music is making its presence known. The Nordic super duo SAGES, consisting of Ólafur Arnalds and Loreen, creates a brilliant collaboration that stands out.