Music

Icelandic music is related to Nordic music forms and includes vibrant folk and pop traditions, as well as medieval music ensemble Voces Thules. Icelandic music combines vibrant folk and pop traditions with an active classical and contemporary music scene. Islandica is the only folk band whose recordings are available in other countries. Icelandic music has a long history, with some songs dating back to the 14th century still being sung today. Folk songs are frequently about love, sailors, masculinity, harsh winters, as well as elves, trolls, and other mythological creatures, and are often secular and humorous.

"Lofsöngur," written by Matthas Jochumsson and composed by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson, is Iceland's national anthem. The song was written in 1874, when Iceland celebrated its 1,000th anniversary of settlement. It was written in the form of a hymn and was first published as A Hymn in Commemoration of Iceland's Thousand Years.

Iceland's well-known artists include the medieval music group Voces Thules, the alternative rock band The Sugarcubes, the singers Björk, Hafds Huld, and Emiliana Torrini, the post-rock band Sigur Rós, the post-metal band Sólstafir, the indie folk/indie pop band Of Monsters and Men, the blues/rock band Kaleo, the metal band Skálmöld, and the techno-industrial Traditional Icelandic music is related to Nordic music forms. Despite its small population, Iceland is home to many well-known and acclaimed bands and musicians.