Jonsi Go (Parlophone)
When word leaked that Jonsi Birgisson was going to make a solo 'pop' album, there was some trepidation among longtime fans of Sigur Ros. After all, Birgisson's distinctive falsetto vocals and his group's glacial wall of sound combined with their made-up Hopelandic lyrics had carved an influential musical niche.
Birgisson's nine-track solo debut is beautiful and tasteful. In fact, Go Do, the rhythmic, club-like opener that's as close to a pop song as this album comes, may also be one of the least interesting. Mostly recorded in Connecticut with Grizzly Bear member Nico Muhly and a largely orchestral cast, the best songs sound as if they're meant to be church-like hymns.
Birgisson's insightful English lyrics is mixed with Icelandic. Combine that with his spiralling, pure vocals, organs, French horns and drum crescendos on songs such as Grow Till Tall and the result is an album-of-the-year contender.