Óskar Arngrímsson creates a most cerebral and enthusiastic kind of Electronic Music. Advancing into the world under the name Ótal he pursues the ideals of technology and experimentation. His Fjöður (40:43) proves assured and satisfying, yet maintains a close connection to the human spirit. More a probing sound study than New Age fairytale, familiar harmonies are presented over a range of sustaining textures. However soon consumed by rising atmospheres and abstracted circuits, intelligent shifts in timbre and tone support Arngrímsson in his pleasurably poeticaural adventures. As sonic and spatial dynamics expand and contract, the music moves with planet Earth - telling a story only the listener can complete. Capturing concepts more emotional and instinctive, as opposed to the academic and challenging, we experience the presence of our innovator's abundant inner realm.Cool and confident, shimmering in arrangements of striking Ambient drama Fjöðurrises and falls,twists, drifts and turns through the charged colors of a sharp, smart synthetic palette. Crafted from sustaining notes and consonant drones, the slowly revealing arrangements feel constantly in motion. Each of the six realizations work off the energy of the one preceding it, and draw us forward to the next - showing connections and granting worth to all of the surrounding pieces. In a curious mix of environmental details and an impressive sense of sound, this album may be admired as much for its simplicity as for its seasoned sense of solemnity and ambience. But the most important aspect of this endeavor is the listener, who builds their own mental journey. With no single, literal message by the composer, we take guidance from his musical intent - making it much easier for us to relate the space inside our minds to the ever-present, external terrestrial truth.
Please tune in to the 6 September 2026 of STAR'S END for music from Fjöður, the new release by Ótal, and much more... Thanks!
The work of Ótal feels more measured than most modular synth realizations. Blurring the borders between collage, sculpture, abstraction and tonal representation Óskar Arngrímsson searches for a more radiant realm. Original, restlessly changing and charging, sounds float free of context or lineage - with meaning pointing in multiple directions. While rising electronic forms enthrall in a slowly revealing timbral bloom, oscillators take their turn advancing, stacking and receding. As enigmatic as the realm it is trying to depict, such musical intentions do not merely hang in the air, inert. They sparkle, shine and gleam - moving as easily out through the cosmos as they do inward to the recesses of the human spirit.
Following his 12 September 2026 appearance at The Gatherings Concert Series in Philadelphia, noted Icelandic Electronic MusicianÓtal performs a Live-to-Air Radio Concert for STAR'S END/WXPN.
Please tune in to the 13 September 2026 broadcast for details and to listen/or stream live on Youtube
Ótal Live on STAR'S END 09.13.26 (live stream from 2-3AM EDST/UTC-5)
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WXPN/STAR'S END - Block Rockin' Weekend
WXPN's Block Rockin' Weekend begins at 4:00pm on Friday 4 September 2026 and will run continuously through Midnight on Monday 7 September 2026. Programs will stretch out block-style, presenting three songs in a row from an interesting range of noted artists and albums - and aspire to provide an enjoyable soundtrack for the many moods of our long holiday weekend.
WXPN's programming endeavor will cover 80 broadcast hours, including Specialty Shows like Land of the Lost,Sleepy Hollow,The Blues Show,The Folk Show and Star's End.
Please tune in to the 09.06.26 broadcast of Star's End Ambient Radio for "The Artist in Three Tracks" - an absorbing broadcast of music by eight select Star's End artists on the spacey side of WXPN's Block Rockin' Weekend.
We hope you will have a meaningful Labor Day 2025! Thanks for tuning in!
For more about WXPN's Block Rockin' Weekend, please access: www.xpn.org
STAR'S END Space Camp 2026
Star's End Space Camp 2026
08.02.26Robert Rich (California USA) 08.09.26Grant Beasley (Sunderland UK) 08.16.26Howard Givens/Craig Padilla (Oregon USA) 08.23.26Andrea Cichecki (Dresden DE) 08.30.26Radio Massacre International (Teesside UK)
Beginning with the 10.07.18 edition, an archived stream of each broadcast of STAR'S END will be available through the WXPN website. To listen anytime, please access: www.xpn.org/program/stars-end
STAR'S END on The Internet
The Listening List - Recent Album Reviews From STAR'S END
(Please Click on an Album Cover)
auguat 2026 Top 50 STAR'S END Releases - Alphabetical
Have you ever been looking for something on this website only to become bogged down by the massive size and enormous content? Now you can find what you are seeking somewhat easier. Searching the STAR'S END Website has become much easier. Look for info on artists, albums, track names, labels, etc. via a Google "site search" - now part of the STAR'S END Website.
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Live Remote Concerts On-Air through August
: 2 August 2026Robert Rich (California USA) 9 August 2026Grant Beasley (Sunderland UK) 16 August 2026Howard Givens/Craig Padilla (Oregon USA) 23 August 2026Andrea Cichecki (Dresden DE) 30 August 2026Radio Massacre International (Teesside UK)
The work of Ótal feels more measured than 
Have you ever been looking for something on this website only to become bogged down by the massive size and enormous content? Now you can find what you are seeking somewhat easier. Searching the STAR'S END Website has become much easier. Look for info on artists, albums, track names, labels, etc. via a Google "site search" - now part of the STAR'S END Website.
