Song of the Day: Vök – BTO

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. This week, we are featuring songs by Icelandic artists performing at the 2017 Iceland Airwaves Music Festival, curated by Kevin Cole, host of The Afternoon Show on KEXP. Today’s song is Vök's "BTO," from the album Figure, which is available now via Nettwerk Music Group.

Vök – BTO (MP3)

Margrét Rán Magnúsdóttir doesn't want to bother you or anything, but on her group Vök's song "BTO" she makes it clear, in her own, low-key way, that she could use a little bit of attention.

"Do you think about us?" she asks over a murmuring beat and wheezing digital keyboards, trying her best to get a distracted someone's attention, repeating the refrain "when you're going out of your way," with equal parts annoyance and icy detachment. She'd like them to make an effort, though she'll be fine either way.

"BTO" hails from Vök's debut album Figure, the official follow-up to a series of EPs the Reykjavik group has released. Vök was formed in 2013 by Margrét and Andri Már Enoksson to enter the annual Músíktilraunir contest, which they ended up winning. They've been on a roll ever since, winning attention for their post-XX, digital soul sound, which is lush enough to luxuriate in and just chilly enough to honor their home country.

Vök is playing a few shows this week around Reykjavík, as part of the 2017 Iceland Airwaves Music Festival. Check out show dates via their Facebook or Twitter account. And check out a video for today's featured song below, directed by Magnus Andersen.