'Go Do'

The long awaited album by Sigur Rós front man Jónsi is here...but may not be everything that everyone was looking and hoping for. The Icelandic and English mix lyrics along side the jejune melodies. While the music is somewhat more upbeat than with his bandmates in Sigur Rós this is still not cutting it with bringing something new to the table for his fans.

For Jónsi, who has played a large role in ‘Sigur Rós’ and ‘Alex and Jónsi’, this is the birth of a solo project that held hi hopes. With his boyfriend, Alex, Jónsi set out to create something new while not forgetting his past musical endeavors. The recording setting is the same as it is for him every time set in Iceland. Proceeding with natural elements and sounds in each song. The interesting part is that he managed to create sounds that we have yet to hear from him. He reaches this achievement by using things for instruments that wouldn’t typically be used for that purpose. For example, in the track ‘Go Do‘ a suitcase is substituted for drums in some places.

While Jónsi uses new devices throughout the entire album to create that new sound that he is looking for he is in turn creating an inconsistency within the entire album. The different uses for items like the suitcase in place of a drum are not the only use of everyday items as instruments. Throughout you can also pick up where hitting of hands on legs is popular. The idea of thinking outside of the box is present but one has to wonder if maybe the idea was not in the box for a reason. Also in many songs on the album there is a trace of sounds of iceland that can be heard. Whether it be animals or people that live near by.

This album does have one thing going for it and that is the cover art of the album. Jónsi’s sister is the one responsible for making such a charismatic piece of art. The use of black and white sketched tones with the use of pops of color beg your eyes to look at it. The cover depicts a deep in thought Jónsi in a sketchy medium wearing clothing that looks to not be from our time. To the left of him you see blast of about five colors pouring from him. There are no fancy type choice for his name and title of the album. Instead just a classic looking serif type which compliments the illustration wonderfully.

Aside from the cover art there is no reason to rush out and pick this album up. The anticipation and wait were merely a build up almost disappointment. Hopefully Sigur Rós will join forces yet again to please our ears as the front man Jónsi is not cutting it on his own.