Silja Rós Unleashes a Bold, Soul-Drenched Triumph With '...letters from my past'
- STAFF
- Jun 5
- 5 min read
By: Staff
Silja Rós crafts an unforgettable, emotionally rich masterpiece with stunning vocals and hypnotic grooves.
After previously discovering and being floored by the single release, “...suppress my truth” from the immensely gifted Silja Rós, we were thrilled to hear about the full album ...letters from my past. From the first note, it’s clear this isn’t just another project. It’s a complete artistic statement, a flood of feeling and finesse that leaves nothing behind. Silja Rós clearly poured her entire creative soul into this release, and the result is a deeply magnetic experience. There’s a rare kind of depth to her artistry. It feels like there’s always another layer to uncover, another detail to appreciate, and another emotional thread to follow. So let’s get into the world of ...letters from my past because it absolutely deserves to be experienced in full.
We began with the opening track, “Lemons…,” an irresistible, groove-rich explosion of color and swagger. It’s upbeat, flirtatious, and cool in a way that instantly pulls you in. The drums have that perfect fusion of R&B swing and jazz-light playfulness, snappy yet soft, while the bass hits deep with a thick, velvety thump that holds the whole thing together. But as always, Silja Rós is the gravitational center. Her delivery is masterful, easy and expressive, but also loaded with nuance. The opening line:
“Put 1 foot in front of the other”
sets the tone with a casual confidence, giving way to a slow unraveling of witty, stylish, and seductive lyricism. The guitar lines weave through her vocals like a second voice, creating a gentle yet undeniable push and pull, a call-and-response that’s intimate and magnetic.
The lyrics:
“So let’s just keep drinking / know that I land in your bed”
-pull the energy into a sultry, almost whispered flirtation, and it works flawlessly. It’s charming, cheeky, and beautifully produced. Every note, every pause, feels deliberate and emotionally tuned. You can hear the intention in every bar. The track swells and dips like a series of soft waves, exhilarating highs followed by reflective calm, and the whole thing makes you want to reach out and hold someone close. This is more than just seductive energy. It’s intimacy delivered with taste and class. The chemistry between Silja Rós and her band feels organic, born from emotion rather than simply arrangement. Every player is dialed in, building a shared sound that moves like breath. “Lemons…” easily secures a spot in the top 100 tracks we’ve heard in years. It’s bold, beautiful, and unforgettable.
Next, we dropped into “Share u...,” where things take a slightly softer turn. There’s a quiet elegance in the guitar work that immediately sets the tone, crystalline and glowing. Silja Rós's voice comes in with a featherlight touch, polished and emotional, drifting through the melody with both restraint and power. When she breaks into those falsetto infused staccato runs, it’s a full-body sensation, delicate but disarming. There’s a peaceful melancholy to it, like a memory you’re not ready to let go of. This track leans more into minimalism, letting her vocal textures carry the emotional weight. And it works brilliantly. You close your eyes and feel the warmth crawl over your skin. It’s the kind of musical vulnerability that builds obsession, and it completely won us over.
Lastly, we dove into “…real love,” and from the jump, it’s a masterclass in rhythmic layering. The drum intro is intricate and soulful, giving the track a heartbeat that drives everything forward. There’s something almost hypnotic in the way the rhythm swings while still feeling grounded and steady. That groove locks in as Silja Rós’s vocals start to curl around it, sinuous, smooth, and totally in sync. The sonic textures here feel like a double helix, twisting around each other without ever letting go. The vocals are intimate, buttery, and filled with quiet confidence. As the song builds, the interplay between sparkling instrumentation and breathy delivery creates a perfect mood. Dim lights, clinking glasses, and the start of a night that already knows where it’s heading. It’s warm, sensual, and honest.
Finding Silja Rós feels like discovering a rare voice that not only stuns with talent but keeps deepening the more you listen. Her vocal agility, her emotional phrasing, and her ability to communicate something authentic and soul-stirring with every note is remarkable. She moves through these songs like water. Graceful, fluid, and always connected. You don’t just hear her music. You experience it. Every phrase feels earned. Every lyric feels lived. If you haven’t yet immersed yourself in ...letters from my past, it’s time.
Silja Rós is the real deal, and this album is one of the most rewarding listens of the year.
...letters from my past by Silja Rós is a breathtaking display of artistry, elegance, and emotional precision.
The band behind Silja Rós plays a massive role in making this album feel so complete. From tight, expressive drum grooves to glowing guitar tones and smooth, anchored basslines, the chemistry is undeniable. The interplay is masterful, yet never distracts from the emotional core of the songs. It enhances it, with each player knowing exactly when to lead and when to let the vocals breathe.
The band's linuep is Kristófer Nökkvi and Bergur Einar on drums, Magnus Dagsson on guitar and Rhodes, Baldur Kristjáns on bass, Kjalar on piano, Bergrós providing backing vocals, and brass textures from Sigurrós, Guðjón Steinn, and Villi Gumm. Mastering was handled by Sigurdór at Skonrokk Mastering, and the album was released through Alda Music.
This magnificent production was led by Magnus Dagsson and Stefán Örn Gunnlaugsson, with support from RÚV, Bylgjan, Hljóðritasjóður, and STEF. A tremendous thank you to this team for elevating ...letters from my past to the iconic status it so clearly represents.
Silja Rós’s story begins in Reykjavík, where she first caught attention performing live before diving into jazz vocals at FÍH music school. Her path then took her to Los Angeles and Copenhagen. Through collaborations with international songwriters, she shaped a distinct blend of neo-soul, R&B, and modern pop. She doesn’t just write songs. She channels inner thoughts, emotional depth, and personal memories into carefully crafted sonic reflections. Influenced by artists like Jacob Collier, Olivia Dean, and Sabrina Claudio, her sound is unmistakably her own, with smooth melodies and rich vocal tones layered over vibrant instrumentation.
Her debut album earned her significant radio play in Iceland. Her second brought in a larger following, leading to the release of her third and most personal project to date, ...letters from my past. Built from old diary entries and previously unreleased sketches, this album is a cohesive stream of consciousness, a meditative walk through memory, desire, and identity. Working closely with Magnus Dagsson and her band, she refined every arrangement to express both vulnerability and strength. The music was recorded in Denmark and Iceland with the support of national arts grants, giving the project the creative breathing room it needed to evolve naturally.
Beyond music, Silja Rós has also made her mark as an actress and screenwriter. She starred in and co-wrote the hit Icelandic series Skvíz, earning praise for her versatility and depth across mediums. Her artistry feels whole and considered, every note and line intentional.
We’re so excited to have found and can’t wait to hear more from Silja Rós!
Make sure to playlist, stream and share ...letters from my past by Silja Rós.
