Recordings from the Åland Islands, the 2022 debut from synthesist Jeremiah Chiu and violist Marta Sofia Honer, is a deeply immersive blend of analog electronics, strings, and field recordings—captured on a journey to the remote Baltic archipelago. It marked a turning point for International Anthem, expanding the label’s ambient palette with a vivid sense of place and emotional resonance.
Having relocated from Chicago to L.A., Chiu and Honer became central to IARC’s growing trans-coastal community. Honer stepped forward after prior collaborations with Makaya McCraven and Daniel Villarreal, while Chiu has since released acclaimed projects including In Electric Time and the debut of his group SML.
But Åland Islands remains uniquely transportive: ferry announcements, bird calls, and gravel under bike tires blend seamlessly with synths and strings to create textured, dreamlike landscapes. Filmmaker Sean Pecknold described it best: “Every sound became a countermelody… a new texture, a new tone.”
The IA11 Edition (out September 12, 2025) adds a 16-page booklet with photos, new liner notes, and a revealing artist conversation—offering deeper insight into this quietly groundbreaking record.
