Of Monsters and Men

Of Monsters and Men

Of Monsters and Men are an Icelandic folk and indie rock group formed in 2010 in Keflavík, Iceland. The band includes Nanna, Ragnar Þórhallsson, Brynjar Leifsson, Kristján Páll Kristjánsson, Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson, Árni Guðjónsson and Ragnhildur Gunnarsdóttir.

Background

The group begins in Keflavík and Garðabær, and becomes known for combining indie folk with pop and rock elements. Its line-up includes Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir on vocals and guitar, Ragnar Þórhallsson on vocals and guitar, Brynjar Leifsson on guitar, Kristján Páll Kristjánsson on bass, Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson on drums, and Árni Guðjónsson on keyboards and accordion. Árni Guðjónsson leaves the band in 2012.

Releases and recognition

Of Monsters and Men release their debut album, My Head Is an Animal, in 2011. The album includes “Little Talks”, which reaches number one in Iceland and gains wider attention in the United States through radio play and word of mouth. The song later enters the Billboard Hot 100 at number 92, becoming the band’s first appearance on the US singles chart. The group later releases Beneath the Skin in 2015, Fever Dream in 2019, and All is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade in 2025.

Style and label

The band’s music is associated with folk, folk pop, indie folk, indie pop, indie rock and pop. They release material on Dedicated Records.