Most people will know Jónsi Birgisson either as the singer/songwriter with Icelandic dream pop purveyors Sigur Rós or by his most recent collaboration in Jónsi & Alex. What I'm saying is that most people will know what to expect with this debut solo record (and by solo I mean chocful of guest collaborations and cameos).
Well forget what you're expecting because Go is not the album you think it might be. The languid, elongated pace of Sigur Ros songs, drawn out over time and stately in tone are eschewed in favour of more up tempo, even poppy, songs with opening track 'Go Do' a foot stomping rallying cry for the album being a fine example.
What Go delivers is nothing short of stunning. Aside from the great singable songs - the aforementioned 'Go Do', 'Boy Lilokoi' and 'Tornado' to name but three - at it's heart though Go isn't really such a radical departure, the delicate glockenspiel, bowed guitar, flutes and ethereal vocals balance atop the quicker bleeps and more rugged beats that's all. By the time we reach album closer 'Hengilas' we are very much in Sigur Ros territory but that's besides the point. To feel that sense of wonder and experience rushes of joy few other artists can stir in the listener is magical.
The fairytale feeling of mythical stories being re-told is obviously set fast in Jónsi's genetic make up for no matter what changes he makes this remains at the core and it's certainly something for which we should all be very thankful.
www.jonsi.com
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
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