Marína Ósk (Iceland)

Icelandic vocalist and composer Marína Ósk works at the intersection of jazz, folk, and singer-songwriter traditions, combining a clear, intimate vocal style with melodic sensitivity and emotional nuance. Based in Reykjavík, she is an established presence in Iceland’s music scene and has received recognition from the Icelandic Music Awards for both vocal and compositional work. Writing in both Icelandic and English, her songs reflect a balance between local poetic traditions and broader international influences. Across four albums, including her most recent release Oh, Little Heart (2025), her music is shaped by landscape, memory, and emotional detail.

Featured Songs:

“Haflína” (Sealine), showcased on Putumayo's Café Europa, features soft piano, subtle strings, and Marína’s airy vocals, evoking a sense of calm introspection and connection to nature. The lyrics use the imagery of a boat waiting by the sea to symbolize transition, endings, and the hope of reunion, suggesting a peaceful farewell and the continuity of connection. “So strange, this journey that all must sing / And no one knows what the purpose is / Is it the same for you and me? / And the road is long that must be tread / In an unclear direction one must head, no matter what / Both night and day.”

“Er kólna fer” (As It Gets Colder) is performed as a duet with Icelandic singer-songwriter Ragnar Ólafsson, a member of the band Árstíðir, with whom he tours internationally. Ólafsson’s songwriting is often shaped by travel, with albums written during journeys along the Mississippi River and across Mexico. Sung in Icelandic, a North Germanic language closely tied to the country’s literary heritage, the Love Songs Around the World track frames love as warmth offered against encroaching cold. “But if you were near / Would you hold my hand / If I keep you warm / It’s cold when the night comes / And my wish is that you’ll find your way into my palm.”

Artist Website

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