Iceage part the dark skies with the Brit-pop opus, 'Shelter Song'

We have long exalted about the brilliance of Iceage. Along with Preoccupations and Protomartyr, the Copenhagen quintet revitalized post-punk at the start of the 2010s, bringing a searing, emotional quality that several bands, such as Fontaines D.C. and Bambara, have emulated. They are, in our humble opinions, one of the best and more important bands of the past decade. While some bands begin to settle for the comforts of what they know and grow a little lazier in their songwriting, Iceage continue to challenge themselves. Elias Bender Rønnenfelt (vocals/lyrics), Jakob Tvilling Pless (bass), Johan Surballe Wieth (guitar), Casper Morilla (guitar), and Dan Kjær Nielsen (drums) continue to push themselves to be more than just a one-dimensional outfit.

They hinted at their evolution earlier this year when they released the plodding and trembling “The Holding Hand” and again on the space-rock anthem, “Vendetta”. For the third single from their forthcoming new album, Seek Shelter, they have crafted something incredibly unexpected yet still retaining the band’s artistic and lyrical genius.

“Shelter Song” is a Brit-pop opus that recalls the genre’s glory days of the ’90s. It is as bold and cathartic, anthemic and endearing, and brilliant as The Verve’s most celebrated classics. This is Iceage parting the brooding, dark skies they’ve known to cast with their post-punk ethos and illuminating us with the brightest and warmest light. With an assist from the Lisboa Gospel Collective and a stirring string arrangement, the fivesome remind us that we will persevere and overcome the people and things that aim to stop us. If you’re down, Iceage will be around to lift us up.

“Come lay here right beside me
They kick you when you’re up
They knock you when you’re down
Some shielding from the fighting
They beat you from the left
They hit you from the right
Come lay here right beside me.”

The video below is also heartwarming. It was directed by longtime friend and collaborator Catherine Pattinama Coleman, who “wanted to create a meaningful piece, especially being a woman of color and fully in my third trimester. In the midst of a pandemic it’s important to remember that those of us who are privileged enough to have a roof over our heads, food, security, love and care, is something of great value. Love is not something one should not take for granted.”

Not only is this song one of the year’s very best, so is the video. Watch it below. An audio stream is also provided.