What immediately strikes one about this record is its remarkable cohesion. The song titles flow together "forming a chain of thought, when the mind keeps wandering from one thought to another," as Rós herself explains. This literary approach to album construction feels refreshingly intentional in an age of streaming-optimised singles.
Recorded between Denmark and Iceland with producers Magnus Dagsson and Stefán Örn Gunnlaugsson, the album benefits enormously from the contributions of Iceland's leading instrumentalists. Kristófer Nökkvi and Bergur Einar provide rhythmic foundations that sway between jazz inflections and more contemporary R&B grooves, while Magnus Dagsson's guitar and Rhodes work adds layers of textural depth. The brass arrangements, performed by Sigurrós, Guðjón Steinn and Villi Gumm, offer moments of transcendent colour throughout. As a multi-instrumentalist herself, Rós clearly understands how to arrange these elements in service of her musical vision.
But it's Rós's voice that remains the centrepiece – a remarkably expressive instrument that carries the emotional weight of these deeply personal compositions. For someone who describes music as "like breathing," her technical prowess comes as no surprise. A graduate of jazz vocals from FÍH music school and trained opera singer, Rós possesses a remarkable versatility that reveals itself throughout the album. The Jacob Collier influence manifests in moments of harmonic complexity, whilst the soulful intimacy of Olivia Dean and Sabrina Claudio can be heard in her more introspective moments.
What elevates "...letters from my past" beyond mere pastiche is Rós's commitment to emotional authenticity. In creating this album, she returned to old diaries and unreleased material, mining her personal history for untold stories. The result is a work that feels genuinely confessional – a musical correspondence with the listener that rewards close attention.
For an artist who has already achieved success in acting and screenwriting (she stars in and co-writes the popular TV series Skvíz), this record represents a meaningful artistic statement. Her musical journey—from performing in Reykjavík venues like Café Rósenberg to competing in Söngvakeppnin, Iceland's Eurovision pre-selection, with her original song "Together we grow"—has prepared her well for this moment. No stranger to acclaim, both her previous albums were chosen as "Album of The Week" by Iceland's National Radio Station Rás2, and this third offering seems poised to elevate her standing further.
In a musical landscape increasingly dominated by AI-generated playlists and algorithmic production techniques, Rós reminds us of the irreplaceable value of human experience, thoughtfully translated into sound. "...letters from my past" may draw from personal archives, but its emotional resonance feels thoroughly universal. It's early days, but this could well be one of 2025's most captivating releases.