Jónsi

Country of origin:

Iceland

Type of music generally:

Ethereal, electronic

Status:

Most recent release, We Bought A Zoo (soundtrack, 2011); debut studio release, Go (2010)

See also:

Jónsi's site

The Ectophiles' Guide's page for Sigur Rós and Jónsi's duo work with Alex

Comparisons:

Sigur Rós is all I can think of, he's so unique! (lasherboy@gmail.com)

Covers/own material:

Own

Recommended first album:

Go

Recordings:

• Go (2010)
• Go Live (live CD/DVD, 2010)
• We Bought A Zoo (soundtrack, 2011)

Go

Release info:

2010—XL Recordings—CD 483

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Comments:

another highlight for me. He continues to push his vocals to new heights. The album is bursting with joy. "Go" moves me to tears, but not in the same way Sigur Rós does... these are happier tears. (lasherboy@gmail.com)

Upbeat electronic pop, like Sigur Rós on a sugar high. There are parts that are majestic, parts with really gorgeous, symphonic textures worthy of Sufjan Stevens at his best, and other parts that are so fun it sounds like he opened up all the windows in a room and started throwing paint on the walls.
     The album took a few listens to really grow on me. At first I sometimes found it jarring when I realized he was singing in English (as opposed to Icelandic or Hopelandic or whatever other language(s) he's singing in), and it would take me out of the music. But that's no longer a problem, and I'm not really sure why it ever was. The album not only bears repeat listenings, it deserves it and offers more to the listener each time. (JoAnn Whetsell)

Further info:

Jónsi contributed an original song, "Sticks and Stones" to the How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack (2010). Jónsi's November 9, 2010, concert at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., is available for download at NPR.

Thanks to JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.