Iceland Review Playlist | Valentine’s Special

2026-02-14 - 13:39

Iceland, located at the crossroads of Eurasia and North America, has absorbed influences from both continents. Western traditions such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day are familiar on the island, though, typically for Iceland, these customs are often given a unique twist. While Valentine’s Day in Europe and America is largely associated with St. Valentine, a Christian martyr, Icelandic celebrations draw inspiration from its own rich mythological heritage. Iceland is an ideal destination for couples. Photo: Golli. Rather than focusing on a saint, Icelanders often invoke Freyja, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Iceland also has an alternative to Valentine’s Day that’s rooted in ancient Norse tradition—Bóndadagur, or Husband’s Day. Celebrated at the beginning of the Old Norse calendar, this day sees Icelandic women traditionally giving their partners thoughtful gifts, emphasising the importance of affection and partnership. Valentine’s Day arrived in Iceland later than in many other countries. As reported by RÚV, the first mention of the holiday appeared in local publications in 1958, when flower shops began preparing bouquets for sale in honour of the day. While Valentine’s Day is widely recognised as a time to celebrate love, the theme of love itself is universal, transcending any single tradition. To honour this sentiment, we’ve put together a special playlist featuring some of our favourite Icelandic love songs (see the track-by-track commentary below)—an ode to the enduring power of love, wherever it may be found. Benni Hemm Hemm & Páll Óskar — “Valentínus” Talking about this song to one of the local newspapers, these two venerable songwriters explained that the number is a gauntlet for corporations who employ the concept for successful sale of “love-themed merchandise”. We couldn’t agree more. The Sugarcubes — “I’m Hungry” “Listen, I’m hungry, thirsty for surprises, ready for experience,” intones Björk Guðmundsdóttir on The Sugarcubes’s most romantic track, featured on their 1992 album Stick Around for Joy. Bold though it is, “I’m Hungry” delivers its message perfectly. If you want your partner to grasp your desires without a word, play this song and let its unspoken language do the talking. Hljómar — “Ástarsæla” “Ástarsæla”, or “Love Bliss”, is a typical title for 1960s beat music. Hailing from Keflavík, Hljómar were often called the Icelandic version of the Beatles. Although Hljómar’s audience was much smaller, their melodies were as catchy and sweet as those by the Fab Four. No surprise, the band later signed a deal with Parlophone and recorded for export under the name Thor’s Hammer. Jónsi and Alex Sommers — “Happiness” Clocking in at nearly ten minutes, this ambient gem celebrates the partnership between the two artists, the Sigur Rós founding member and the American producer, as well as the transformative nature of love. The track was featured on the 2009 AIDS benefit Album Dark Was the Night, before being released on the duo’s debut studio album Riceboy Sleeps. Elly Vilhjálms — “Ég Veit Þú Kemur” Singer Elly Vilhjálms is considered by the local music historians as the voice of the 60s in Iceland. Mostly famous for gentle ballads such as “Ég Veit Þú Kemur” (“I Know You’re Coming”), Henný Eldey Vilhjálmsdóttir aka Elly Vilhjálms, has a stirring voice that reminds one of how powerful a connection between human beings can be. Emilíana Torrini — ”Miss Flower” Taken from the eponymous album, ”Miss Flower” is named after a real person, Geraldine Flower, who was the mother of Torrini’s friend. With the lyrics taken from one of the letters addressed to Geraldine, the song is a declaration of passion that sums up the alluring nature of the protagonist. Oyama — “The Bookshop” The narrator of “The Bookshop”, the latest single by Iceland’s shoegaze darlings Oyama, is a wanderer trying to escape her feelings and the object of love. A perfect soundtrack to a road trip, either solo or in the company of a stranger. Spacestation — “California” “I lost my soul, I lost my mojo / I’m so sad I can’t play my solo”. A love-stricken message of “California”, penned by Víðir Rúnarsson, would resonate with anyone who has dealt with a yearning. As bittersweet as tough love, the song introduces psych-garage collective at their most romantic.