Ólafur Arnalds, JFDR - Back To The Sky

It's time to start sharing with you what I've been working on for the past few months. It's been a tumultuous but gratifying journey that resulted in some of my most personal music to date. This is only the beginning, there's a lot more to come.
Endless thanks to Jófríður for lending her voice to this track.
Listen here: mkx.lnk.to/OAB...
Video by Arni & Kinski
Director/Producer: Arni & Kinski
Production Company: Dýrlingur
Cast: Una Yamamoto, Sigurbjartur Sturla Atlason
Cinematographer: Jóhann Máni Jóhannsson
Assistant Director: Álfrún Laufeyjardóttir
Camera Assistant, Steadycam and Drone Operator: Viktor Davíð Jóhannsson
Editor: Gareth McEwan
Choreographer: Hannes Þór Egilsson
Wardrobe: Helga Lilja Magnúsdóttir
Hair and Make-up: Ástrós Erla Benediktsdóttir
Telecine: Bjarki Guðjónsson
Water Safety Crew: Ágúst Ingi Kjartansson, Magnús Stefán Sigurðsson
Boat: Ármann Kr. Ólafsson, Hulda Guðrún Pálsdóttir
Catering: Ingunn Stefánsdóttir, Leela Lynn Arni
Special thanks: Sigrún Bjarnadóttir á Fossnesi, Pétur Sigurðsson, Hildur Maral, Árni Þór Árnason, Séra Egill Hallgrímsson
Music video by Ólafur Arnalds, JFDR performing Back To The Sky. © 2020 Ólafur Arnalds, under exclusive licence to Universal Music Operations Limited
vevo.ly/TLgJUb

[@timchard]

This track opened my heart up and helped me deeply grieve. I hadn't fully cried in such a long time, and when this one came on Spotify I found myself pulling over with tears running down my face. As someone who often suppresses difficult emotions like sadness and depression, this was musical catharsis. It brought me, if only for a few moments, a heartfelt acceptance of those I've lost. Thank you.

[@shadow_finds_light]

Awww.... this touched my soul. 💗

[@berlin2318]

Just wanted to say this song is breathtaking and then I saw your comment. I know it doesn't fix anything but I wish you all the best man.

[@mammadeuces6242]

Beautiful comment. Hugs

[@AngelyCristal31]

🤗😇

[@VirginieBastos]

Want to hug you 🤗 it's free ✨

[@bevjarvis860]

You have opened my chest and are holding my heart. Your healing my darkness. Thank you💝

[@itsthat8496]

Prayers, and blessings, may your healing be swift.

[@MercuryKX]

Lyrics 

Over the moon 
Under the stars
 Feel them arresting me 
Unknowables
 Fading at dawn 
Troubles too

 Dimness sustains
 Oh the regret
 I could be lost to you
 lost in thought
 Sending a kiss 
Back to the sky

 So has my world become
 Run out of breath
 i’m not the only one
 to lose a friend
 where do you go 
asking myself / going home 


what do i do with the
 void in your shape 
leaving me frailty 
a drop and i break 
what do i do
with half of myself 

then when stars align
 some kind of peace i could be loved by you / i know i'm loved by you 
 either way
 where did you go
 you’re going home

[@DiannaOrozco]

The last lyrics hit me 😔 When you want them to stay, but they gotta take a flight back home which is miles away 😔

[@MissP7197]

Strong Björk vibes in this singer’s voice, also exquisitely unique. Another beautiful track Ólafur, thank you 🙏

[@CliffordBorg]

Ohhh love Bjork so much. Will listen again and see whether there is some Bjork vibes in the track.

[@MissP7197]

Clifford Borg It may be my brain simply picking up the Icelandic accent which is super pretty and what appeals so much about Björk....or they may really sound very similar. Let me know what you think! 🙏🏼💜

[@CliffordBorg]

@@MissP7197 Bjork is quite unique. But true, has that small feeling of Bjork.

[@son333ful]

That is true. I came across one of instagram post, I thought the same.

[@EyeGodZA]

You should check out JFDR's discography; I discovered her thanks to this track and her work is heartrendingly beautiful. Her and Arnalds make for the most amazing combo.

[@infinity31460]

Over the moon, under the stars.....Sending a kiss back to the sky....What do I do with half of myself...Then when the stars align with some kind of peace, I know that I'm loved by you, either way... The lyrics and music are beautiful. The more you listen the more you hear.

[@TheLucasGregory]

Never a song defined so well the feeling of losing someone you love like this one.

[@mustafaozer1473]

Currently on a loop... still impacting me in every cell after 30 listens

[@MendryMusic]

I’m curious what you think about this music kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWOThWeMecutesU

[@pezushka]

Beautiful words.

[@lalimorris5674]

like a breath of wind lifting my soul... lightness and ease..

[@marioks6787]

One of the best! Thank you guardian spirits of Iceland for all the blessings healing and beauty that flows out of there....

[@ManuelaMordhorst]

I am in grief. People who were important to me are lost. Gone, whether they died or gone from my life. This song hurts with every note, fades away in my chest, leaves another pain behind. Bittersweet. Tearing. Putting it together. Where are we all going? Where does the sadness, the pain, the loss go? I lie down and cry a lake full of tears. I seek to overcome.

[@geertdehulsters6726]

In life, People come and people go ... sometimes you can have the most powerful connections with those people ... and for some reason they just gone ... and all you have are the memories that you had with them .. good and bad ones ... laugher and tears ... and when such a song is playing, you wonder .. what happen with those people ... where are they .. what are there doing.. are they also thinking about what happen why you vanished or why they disconnected from you ... would you wanna say something against them .. would you like to see them before you die .. and tell them about this moment .. and listen to this song at the same time ...

[@crappycomputer77t1]

@@geertdehulsters6726 Your comment is beautiful. This song connects all of us. Peace.

[@PedroGutierrez-us3fi]

why this masterpiece dont have millions of views?

[@mammadeuces6242]

Right he is so underrated as an artist.

[@neurodude2741]

This song is the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed!

[@thedarksoul2104]

So much emotional tension! Olafur please more songs with vocals!

[@bonnyseinhornfan3143]

Amazing ❤ that is the true in the time now

[@bruceaisher]

Brilliant track - love JFDR's voice - it could melt any heart.

[@erinwiebe7026]

Ólafur, your music is so emotionally connected & grounded. So beautiful, thank you.

[@CliffordBorg]

True so emotional.

[@nedenulan]

damn, I want to be an icelandic musician in my next life.

[@davelutherable]

I love Iceland. They’re the fucking world leaders in music. That Will Ferrell Eurovision film was so ironic! Probably the whole point.

[@p.a.6034]

Why in your next life? Start in this one.

[@subtitledEN]

@@p.a.6034 you can't be Icelandic all of a sudden hahaha

[@p.a.6034]

@@subtitledEN Well, move there. Dare.

[@OHHnoYOUdidntMAN]

seconded

[@inmanywaystheworkofacritic2033]

Olafur, this is beautiful. You suprise me every time.

[@MarikaMeos]

*on repeat*

[@yusufzayed774]

A full Sunday listening to one song till midnight... Life well spent, thank you olafur!

[@DreamManSound]

~You are the sky. Everything else - it’s just the weather.~

[@lutherweiser4673]

This is easily the most emotionally powerful track I have ever heard. The whole album has this energy.

[@molineuxtv]

I’ve been listening to this non stop

[@my.haunted.b0nes]

This song makes me feel incredibly sad. But the "I'm finally letting go" sort of sad. Recently I lost someone I thought I was good friends with. I believe that it was my fault. I had believed that we could move past my mistakes together, and we seemed to be doing fine. But, slowly I just stopped hearing from him. It still hurts, but this song makes me feel much less alone.

[@heartsaracing8273]

This song makes me think of loneliness, why it is painful and how it stirs the soul...opening it to a new reception, in hope for love but maybe settling for peace.

[@nanceadler1017]

You clearly have been in my mind and in my heart - so heartbreakingly beautiful and too close to the bone. If only I thought I could send it to the one who has gone.

[@paz1733]

I hear this song and all i feel is a reflection of a brokenhearted person wandering within his wounds trying to process his confusion and damage, but death catches him before finding the answers. So he was never healed.

[@jhopmann2000]

We sit here and wait for your songs Olafur. Every second with you connected in beauty.... thank you for all your work. We love you

[@mammadeuces6242]

Olafur Arnalds your music has become a huge part of my life. It’s very beautiful. I wish everyone could enjoy it as much as I do

[@Noa.Shakti]

I agree that part of ourselves are everywhere in each other and I think i feel your part in me when i listen to your work, for many years already. It's not a particular feeling like sadness or happiness or any kind of dichotomy, it is not depend on your mood while you do your music, even what do you whant to share. It's just a truth-part from your unic inner world, just "way it is", like "A rose is a rose is a rose".

[@dianeashlock441]

I love everything about this song. The voice, beat and melody comes together perfectly. You are the best classical modern artist today. I can't wait to hear more of your work. My writing flows when I listen to your music. You inspire with your music and I thank you. I hope you will do more tours to the united states!

[@endlessinbetweens]

This sounds incredible loud and with headphones. One of those special songs that makes your eyes leak more with every listen and wow, what a sublime video. Would expect nothing less from these two absolute geniuses.

[@CliffordBorg]

So true especially when the violin creeps in.

[@HecatombRecordings]

This song brings a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. So beautiful.

[@omaargilm]

I really am in love with your music. In someway it's like i can feel it within.

[@godless789]

There are more useful and meaningful things to do in life than to listen to music and to feel things. Stop being an emotional snowflake

[@Minjyy]

​@@godless789 i'll pretend i just didn't read that,cause it HURTS MY EYES

[@dancingheart6224]

@@godless789 Yes and some people come here to do this in their free time from work or school because it relaxes them. Why hide your emotions when you can express the impact others have made on your life? Life is short.

[@jillianforster8104]

Totally feel the same! Beautiful

[@pezushka]

perfect comment

[@MM-pswt]

I love the lyrics. Haunting, beautiful, fits the music so well. Everything including the music video transports me to another world. Thank you for sharing this masterpiece

[@CliffordBorg]

True one of his best.

[@tylerclark5646]

Absolute bliss at 1:20 to 1:42. It feels like the sound of being suspended in mid-air. Those are the 22s that I live on when I have my anxiety attacks. This song is truly amazing.

[@DonAlderOfficial]

wow and more wow this puts the ear on a direct hi speed path to the heart LOVE IT

[@berlin2318]

Breathtaking, leaving chills all over.

[@mitalisharma440]

The music just sinks right in. You can feel your bones soaking it up

[@ezdrash]

wow wow,wow !!!Amazing!!!!!!!

[@navegantepolar]

Wonderful, two of my favorite Icelandic artists together in one song

[@indiraemmerlich]

This is another masterpiece of yours. Brilliant in every respect!

[@wikireader17]

Perfect as always ❤️

[@johnmedinadiaz2770]

One of the best Ólafur's musical pieces to make catharsis. It may endow you with some kind of peace. I really love your musical evolution. Thank you.

[@gabimassi8265]

JC this song this song beautiful... Thank you Olafur... I love your music, I wish you would come to Switzerland one day... stay healthy... salute from Zurich

[@DanatripleJ]

please live forever and make us a lot of touchable music, thank you

[@Babsbabet]

Why does every single piece of your music have to come for my heart like this?

[@conorokelly4578]

Thank you to everyone involved with this piece

[@gloriapatri5257]

Haunting and beautiful.

[@bartjes2509]

Nice soft voice to your beautiful music. Happy that Hekla volcano was peaceful during the video shoot

[@Vandalah]

Apparently, I was your top 0.02% top listener in 2020 on Spotify! Lovely songs, so inspiring for paintings ❤️❤️❤️

[@sumon4992]

Been a year that I listen this song everyday

[@rhymesandvibes]

This made me so sad. Beautifully done x

[@MaryChrisMaryCdiliapo]

❤️

[@qslqn.8234]

I love this song👍

[@Patros15]

It makes me cry everytime I listen it

[@alrichmond4341]

Takk. Your music is always a joy to hear.

[@majawandasiewicz9906]

So heart wrenching, but delicate at the same time... I love it so much!

[@streakysupercat]

Amazing work Ólafur!! Love it so much..! 💖 Thank you!!

[@javierperezmendez4437]

Your music can touch deep inside... Drive feelings from the Heart to the brain in a kind way

[@SuziFranks]

BEAUTIFUL as always XXOOXX Thank you for sharing your music.....needed this today...XXOOXX

[@WarmyMusic]

This song breaks my soul second by second. Simply beautiful

[@audeg5777]

You know so we'll how to touch our hearts while listening to yours. Gratitude for the share. With Love

[@lancehildebrand4025]

Wow I knew it was going to be good...but man. That final shot is too perfect.

[@ruiferreira5830]

A song that reaches you beyond the just simple listening of music. Thank you!

[@dronedruid153]

I hope you'll work with JFDR more in the future. This song is just so achingly beautiful

[@debbiecaudill8799]

Beautiful song and haunting video. Very moving.

ooohh that's what you've been working on!!

[@dejanvizant3822]

Man you are the best...I like your music...peace and love ❤️🙏

[@MendryMusic]

I’m curious what you think about this music kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWOThWeMecutesU

[@GrantLundberg]

Beautiful

[@melissajocelyn2831]

A master piece love from Mexico 🇲🇽❤️🎻

[@ledebarquementdenormandied5355]

What beauty. Soothing. Thanks Olafur. You and me just wrote each other this morning and I want to thank you gain for your healing answer. What generous vocals from Jófríður. Definetely reminds me of Lhasa, as if you would have written an answer to the last song she ever recorded, which was in your country, "Island Song". Merci, Rethro

[@leolearchi7405]

Puro incanto, vertigine di emozioni che illumina , guida. L' amore si accresce cammina e lavora, enigma di chi è inquieto e porta un lume in mano (Pure enchantment, vertigo of emotions that illuminates, guides. Love grows, walks and works, the enigma of those who are restless and carry a light in their hand)

[@sanumvilenavinavilessons8198]

Lor nìtxan nang! Fìtìrol txasuneiu oer. Very beautiful! I love this song.

[@cat.7878]

Perfect, Bravo🙆‍♂️👏👏👏💓

[@KingJohnVA]

That was really beautiful 😭❤

[@jp_jas]

Loved the emotion from the first second!

[@zuleykhashirinova]

Unprecedented and bleak future will be buried while listening to your pieces. Thanks for this tiny lil hope to give 🖤

[@alangibson5343]

What a beautiful song.. goosebumps and a lump in my throat by the time I'd got to the end of this brilliantly moving song🎧🎶🎹☺️

[@chrisshaw5895]

I am happily married, yet this song makes me feel like my heart has been crushed. Nonetheless, I can’t stop playing it over and over...

[@NataliaDrepina]

Beautiful music and video! I love JFDR's voice. Amazing collaboration.

[@audiomainline]

So incredibly beautiful.. Glad to have found this - been listening on repeat for a while.. Stunning°•○●

[@EarthBenderMab]

also... i miss my mom.... and i dont know what to do with this void in her shape, its all i see. the absence of her.

[@crappycomputer77t1]

Dude I hope the best of luck to you. I am feeling social tonight even though there is no one around. I know there is family out there who love me. I sing this song almost everyday and I hope you can too in the face of any adversity. Peace. I'll like every recent comment in this section just to show some love.

[@mattiascarson1386]

Allow yourself to grieve. Let people in you trust, they will help carry you.

[@tripthebalance]

Absolutely incredible 💛

[@alancalvillo6756]

Wow

[@VladyslavKL]

🕊

[@rallekiel]

Let my be a part of your journey. Back To The Sky is a wonderful start, I love this song...no, more I'm addicted to it. See you one time in germany, perhaps Philharmonie Hamburg.

[@kimrairon]

Una Yamamoto, hurray!

[@mejdja]

I'm so happy that this collaboration (finally!) happened! Ólafur is my favourite music artist, so I'm always happy to see a new upload. His music just touches me in a way I can't put into words and no other kind of music does. And I've been in love with JFDR's music (and music videos - they are just so raw) ever since Ólafur mentioned her name in a livestream a few years ago. She deserves way more attention than she gets, imho, and this collaboration will hopefully be an improvement in that regard.

[@lousinged9327]

I found a notification this morning and I found this. Love you always

[@JulianeHitchcock]

Beautiful sounds in perfection as usual. You are one of the greatest artist of our time... on the same list for me as Ennio Morricone and David Darling. love your work. :-)

[@kingastaron1835]

¹

[@maimoon9176]

I need to go to Iceland someday, it's freaking beautiful! and attend to an Ólafur concert

[@anaboccanera592]

here since 2013, i wish nothing but success to you, you're awesome

[@LovelassMan]

love

[@barbarameier1367]

Das geheimnis von delfi💫

[@jorgeckert4586]

Utterly beautiful....

[@Twiff13]

Sheer delight, as always from Olafur 💖

[@irynamoskovka6990]

As usual very catching and great! It makes you think hard and remember and do!!! Thanks!

[@sodotta]

You defo take away something different after every listen, wow

[@asheep6682]

Great music!