STILLUPPSTEYPA
“Schokolino Choco Loco”

As I sit down to pen these words for Stilluppsteypa’s latest vinyl release on the enigmatic Futura Resistenza label, I find myself jumping back a year or two, reminded of the profound impact this Icelandic ensemble has had on the northern landscape of experimental arts for four decades. Emerging in the early 1990s, Stilluppsteypa began their journey as a punk-oriented band with multiple members. However, their insatiable curiosity for the unconventional soon led them to explore more abstract and electronic terrains as a trio consisting of Heimir Björgúlfsson, Sigtryggur Berg Sigmarsson, and Helgi Thorsson. These Icelanders crafted sound experiments that were uniquely their own, defying the easy categorization and shaped by the distinct longitudes and latitudes they together called home.

Stilluppsteypa’s early works, such as Reduce by Reducing (1998), showcased a dadaistic and multi-layered approach to sound sculpting that stood proudly apart from the existing trends of the era, such as Mille Plateaux and its contemporaries. By the time of albums like Not a Laughing Matter But Rather a Matter of Laughs (2000) and Stories Part Five (2001), the group had further solidified their reputation for crafting intricate sonic tapestries that continue to challenge and intrigue listeners drawn to the more abstract.

After Heimir’s departure around 2002, Sigtryggur and Helgi decided to continue as a duo, delving even deeper into the core of abstract and joyous electronic music. Their collaborations with artists such as Benny Nilsen, Melt-Banana and others resulted in critically acclaimed entities, such as Vikinga Brennivin (2005) and Drykkjuvísur Óhljóðanna (2006), celebrated for their innovative approaches to sound and spot on composition.

Now, with this new piece of wax on Futura Resistenza—a Brussels-Rotterdam-based label known for its eclectic, unpredictable, and forward-thinking catalog—Stilluppsteypa continues its admirable mission as the reliable workhorse of European experimentalism, pushing the boundaries of sound to infinity.

Without a shred of hesitation, I can say that the group’s whimsical ap
preciation for chaos—the natural state of the universe—positions their music as a true beacon for a kinder future. The entirety of Schokolino Choco Loco stands as a testament to their commitment to embracing unpredictability, celebrating the disorderly beauty and humor that lies within chaos itself.

As you place the needle on the thang, please prepare yourself for a hazy trip through the sonics. These Icelanders invite you to embrace the unexpected — and like nice people they are, they gently give a welcoming smooch to your forehead while at it. Stilluppsteypa’s music is not just to be heard but to be experienced, to be tasted, to be touched by.

Welcome to the Boundless Joy that arises when artists dare to venture into the uncharted.

28.1.2025, Pori, Finland

Juho Toivonen