Abby Gordon On November 10, 2025, Of Monsters and Men returned to Nashville, taking over The Pinnacle with a set that felt both grand and intimately personal. Fans flooded the venue, buzzing with anticipation as the Icelandic indie-pop favorites opened their night with signature anthems that swelled and shimmered through the space. From haunting melodies to driving percussion, the band crafted a journey that pulled the audience in, creating moments of quiet reflection and bursts of euphoric sing-alongs. It was a night that celebrated connection, music, and the shared thrill of experiencing a beloved band live, leaving the crowd energized long after the final notes faded.
Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men is an Icelandic indie folk/rock band formed in Garðabær, Iceland, in 2010. The group originally came together when singer‑songwriter Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, who performed solo under the name “Songbird,” invited friends to join her. The band’s lineup includes Nanna (lead vocals and guitar), Ragnar “Raggi” Þórhallsson (vocals and guitar), Brynjar Leifsson (lead guitar), Kristján Páll Kristjánsson (bass), and Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson (drums).
Their breakthrough came quickly. In 2010, they won Músíktilraunir, Iceland’s annual battle of the bands. That win earned them a spot at the Iceland Airwaves festival, where a now‑classic “living room” performance of Little Talks was recorded by Seattle’s KEXP. Their debut album, My Head Is an Animal (2011), exploded worldwide. The single “Little Talks” became a major hit: it charted in multiple countries, reached top 10 in Europe, and found major success in the U.S. alternative scene.
Over the years, the band built on their whimsical yet emotionally resonant sound. Their second album, Beneath the Skin (2015), expanded into widescreen, dramatic folk-pop landscapes. They followed that with Fever Dream in 2019, showcasing a more electric and daring direction, with tracks like “Alligator” and “Wars” revealing a bold evolution.
Of Monsters and Men has earned critical acclaim and commercial success. They won the European Border Breakers Award, a recognition for emerging European artists gaining international audiences. Their genre‑blending style, which merges indie rock, chamber pop, and folk elements, resonates deeply with listeners who crave both lyrical storytelling and anthemic moments.
In 2025, the band returned with their fourth studio album, All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade. The album dropped on October 17 via their own label, Skarkali Records. Its lead single, “Ordinary Creature,” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart — marking their fifth time topping that chart. That single also charted on Alternative Airplay and Rock & Alternative Airplay, showing that their appeal remains strong and evolving.
Beyond their chart success, their new album explores themes of love, loss, loneliness, and connection through atmospheric folk-rock and poetic storytelling. Their return in 2025 reflects not just a musical comeback, but a matured creative vision — they remain rooted in heartfelt lyricism, yet push forward sonically.
Of Monsters and Men continues to tour and connect with fans across the globe, proving that even after more than a decade together, their fairytale‑tinged sound still feels fresh and deeply human.
Photos by Abby Gordon. All images © 2025 Copyright Abby Gordon ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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