Consisting of Icelanders Agnes, Halldór, Stefán and Kristján, Sykur (translation: Sugar) began in 2009 and quickly established a reputation for packing out parties with girls and boys looking for good times. So much so that Dazed and Confused described Sykur as “plucked from the top drawer, a morsel of such rare succulence that it is sure to gain attention even beyond the cordoning velvet rope that sequesters the art world’s N.I.P (Nearly Important People)”. The band released their first album, Frábært eða Frábært in October 2009 to much critical acclaim and commercial success. The single Viltu Dick? From this album becoming one of the biggest radio hits in Iceland in 2009.
 
The band already play a pivotal role in the Reykjavik scene and have collaborated with the hottest local talent, as well as sharing stages with international acts such as Mt. Eden, Peaches, Familjen, Casiokids, Juvelen, Kleerup and Junior Boys.
 
Mesopotamia, released in Iceland on 12th October 2011, sees the band develop their much-loved electro sound. From the exquisite downtempo Battlestar, to the full-on party anthems of Messy Hair and Curling, Mesopotamia is the soundtrack of lost weekends and fun times. The first single from the album, Shed Those Tears, has gained them international recognition, with The Guardian describing as “laser-guided synth riffs, bubbling beats and brilliantly detached vocals” and a September 2011 London show described by Artrocker as “one of the most memorable performances of the year”.
 
Their most recent single Curling, remixed by Dan Le Sac and Database, has been picked up by influential blogs such as Kick Kick Snare and Audioporn as well Filter Magazine and Mixmag. It has also featured on BBC 6 Music, courtesy of Mark Jones and Sister Bliss on her Ministry of Sound Radio show, amongst others.
 
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Photo credit: Tumi Árnason