Sigur Ros - Valtari - Icelandic Ambient Post Rock 2LP
2LP

Sigur Ros - Valtari


Label: XL Recordings – XL LP 570
Format: 2 × Vinyl, LP, Album
New
Country: US
Released: 29 May 2012
Genre: Rock
Style: Post Rock, Experimental


Tracklist


A1 Ég Anda
A2 Ekki Múkk


B1 Varúð
B2 Rembihnútur


C1 Dauðalogn
C2 Varðeldur


D1 Valtari
D2 Fjögur Píanó



"Valtari" is the latest Sigur Rós album, and it is their most laid-back to date comprising pastoral choral pieces. Listening to this is akin to floating on a calm ocean. Everything flows into the next, making this an album to be experienced as a whole, a far cry from lead vocalist Jónsi Birgisson's 2009 solo debut "Go" which was more upbeat and electronic.

Standouts include the tender piano/string "Varúð" with Jónsi's ethereal vocals juxtaposed against an ornate soundscape with strings and harmonies ascending to a skyscraping climax. Awesome and enthralling, my favourite.


"Rembihnútur" is a gently ascending number with Jónsi coming in midway, while "Dauðalogn" is like a Hymn. Jónsi sings on the first 5 tracks, while "Varðeldur", "Valtari", and "Fjögur píanó" (the latter with delicately tinkling keys) are largely instrumental with Jónsi's harmonies adding instrumental tone on some.

The music is dense and requires time for everything to come into focus, but once it does, there's no letting go.



Sigur Rós - Varúð


The footage is from a documentary called "Océans" (2009) by Jacques Perrin & Jacques Cluzaud.

Truly breathtaking mixture of sound and image.




Sigur Ros - Rembihnutur





Sigur Rós - Fjögur píanó