Low Roar
| Company type | Music project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Ryan Karazija |
| Defunct | 2022 |
| Headquarters | Reykjavík , Iceland |
| Products | Music albums, soundtracks |
Low Roar was a music project based in Iceland, blending elements of post-rock and electronic music, founded by American expatriate Ryan Karazija. Originally a solo endeavor, the lineup later expanded to include musicians Leifur Björnsson and Logi Guðmundsson.
Over the span of ten years, the group released five albums before concluding after Karazija’s passing in October 2022. A sixth album was subsequently issued posthumously on February 7, 2025.
History
Following his tenure as frontman for the California indie rock group Audrye Sessions from 2002 until 2010, Karazija moved to Reykjavík, Iceland, where he initiated Low Roar with the release of a self-titled debut album in 2011. Their sophomore record, 0, was launched in 2014 under Tonequake Records. This was succeeded by Once in a Long, Long While... in 2017. The fourth studio effort, ross., came out in November 2019, followed by their fifth album, maybe tomorrow..., released in July 2021. The final album, House in the Woods, appeared posthumously in February 2025.
Low Roar’s sound reached a wider audience through its inclusion in the 2019 video game Death Stranding, after designer Hideo Kojima encountered their music while in Reykjavík. Kojima described their style as both "sensual" and "distinctive." At that period, the band faced financial hardships and produced much of their material on a laptop within Karazija’s kitchen. The licensing deal for their tracks significantly increased their visibility.
In 2021, Low Roar contributed the track "Feels" for the mobile game Arknights, which was later retitled "Fade Away" on their 2021 release. Additionally, their song "Help Me" was featured during the closing credits of the 2021 documentary film Flee.
Ryan Karazija died on October 29, 2022, at age 40 due to complications from pneumonia.
Producer Andrew Scheps announced on October 27, 2024, that the sixth Low Roar album had been finalized and scheduled for release on February 7, 2025. Two singles promoting this album were revealed: "Field of Dreams" on December 6 and "Just How It Goes" on January 3.
Several Low Roar tracks, including new material from House in the Woods, are featured in the 2025 video game Death Stranding 2. The game’s closing credits pay homage to Karazija and his band. A concert tour named Death Stranding: Strands of Harmony is planned for late 2025 through early 2026, showcasing Karazija’s compositions.
House in the Woods
House in the Woods represents Low Roar’s sixth and final studio album, released on February 7, 2025 via Tonequake Records. The record includes vocal performances by Ryan Karazija, who completed all recordings prior to his death in October 2022. The singles "Field of Dreams" and "Just How It Goes" were issued ahead of the full album.
Background
On September 20, 2022, Karazija announced through social media platforms a limited edition vinyl set encompassing the band’s entire discography alongside an upcoming album titled House in the Woods. Following his passing, it was confirmed that this sixth album would be released posthumously.
Throughout 2023, producer Andrew Scheps shared progress updates regarding physical editions and final production stages via social media channels. On October 27, 2024, Scheps confirmed completion of the album with a release date set for February 7, 2025. The lead single "Field of Dreams" premiered on December 6, 2024, followed by "Just How It Goes" on January 3, 2025.
Personnel
Low Roar
- Ryan Karazija – lead vocals, production, recording
- Mike Lindsay – synthesizers, production, recording
- Andrew Scheps – harmonium, bass guitar, modular synthesizer, choir arrangements, trumpet, flugelhorn, production, recording, mixing
Additional contributors
- – arranged strings for "None of Your Business"
- Shara Nova – string arrangements on "Estella"
- Ross Blake – saxophone, percussion instruments
- Emma Lindström – backing vocals
- Richard Lindström – supplementary musician, recording engineer
- Helge Sten – mastering engineer
- Chatham Forbes Jr. – visual artwork
Albums
- Low Roar (2011)
- 0 (2014)
- Once in a Long, Long While... (2017)
- ross. (2019)
- maybe tomorrow... (2021)
- House in the Woods (2025)
Soundtracks
- Death Stranding - Songs from the Video Game (2020)
- Death Stranding 2 - Songs from the Video Game (2025)
EPs
- Casio Dream House (2014)
- Hávallagata 30 (2014)
- Remix – EP (2015)
- Inure (2020)
Live albums
- Live at Gamla Bíó (2015)
Singles
- "Waiting (10 Years)" (2017)
- "The Sky Is Falling" (2018)
- "I Won't Be Long" (2018)
- "Slow Down" (2019)
- "Darkest Hour" (2019)
- "Do You Miss Me?" (feat. Emma Lindström) (2020)
- "Everything to Lose" (2021)
- "Hummingbird" (2021)
- "Field of Dreams" (2024)
- "Just How It Goes" (2025)