Fields of Dark Dreams

Fields’ first full-length record Everything Last Winter is nothing if not mesmerizing. The band produces dusky, hazy, thunderous sounds: A chorus of voices blend over fluid instrumentation that rolls easily from mood to mood, and the addition of synthesizers does not go against the grain. Rather, electronic elements mixed with folky harmonies make the album quite haunting—perhaps because we all know that even the simplest pastoral setting is molded (and may be destroyed) by modern civilization.In terms of topicality, Fields are not preoccupied with love and drama on the dancefloor. “Song for the Fields” tells of “breaking backs and toil” and “Schoolbooks” vividly imagines tomes that “like leaves…choose to curl up and die.” This slightly twisted peasant talk is a perfect fit for Fields’ sound and it’s a pleasure when the rhythm section kicks in and pounds songs on Everything Last Winter to crescendo.

Fields also charms visually. Up front, singer/guitarist Nick Peill and singer/keyboardist Thorunn Antonia make a striking pair. Peill strums his guitar earnestly in somber clothing that may have been worn on the English countryside circa 1900, while Icelandic pixie Antonia coos into the mic under a crop of blond locks tied around with braids. Knowing this, it seems surprising that Fields’ first video does not showcase the band, but is instead is an artistic animated piece. Perhaps this is to fulfill the band’s wish that fans “organically discover” their music.

Fortunately for Fields, their music is both original and powerful enough to thrive under such a non-marketing plan. The 10 dark dreams disguised as songs on Everything Last Winter testify to that.