Arny Margret - “Dinner Alone”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…Phoebe Bridgers, Billie Marten, Joni Mitchell

Arny Margret is some of the prettiest indie folk you’ll hear at SXSW this year, lonely, slightly haunting acoustic ballads that impact with raw vulnerability. The Icelandic artist keeps things pretty simple on her latest EP dinner alone, light fingerpicking with brisk waves of atmospherics providing a depth of music. Singing with a sweet tone, somewhat whispered but far from monotone, Margret is subtle with her instrument without losing melodic movement. The space she embraces brings ears closer and paying attention is the point to her understated approach. Dinner alone follows up Margret’s 2022 full-length debut they only talk about the weather and is ultimately a continuation of her bare, wintery songwriting. Hopefully Margret books a church set or a similarly silent listening room, so barroom chatter doesn’t overtake a hushed, beautiful set. (Kevin McStravick)