Of Monsters and Men

Of Monsters and Men formed in Iceland around 2010, growing out of singer-guitarist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir's solo material after the group won a national battle-of-the-bands contest. The line-up pairs her voice with that of guitarist Ragnar Þórhallsson, and the two trade and overlap lead vocals across most of the catalogue.

Their debut album brought international attention, carried by a single that became a substantial radio and streaming hit and helped define a period of folk-influenced indie pop built on acoustic strumming, brass, big drums and group shouts. Later records moved toward heavier, more electric arrangements, though the twin-vocal approach and expansive choruses have remained.