Country : Iceland / United States Label : Krunk Genres and styles : Avant-Pop / Experimental / Contemporary / Post-Rock / Synth-Pop Year : 2020

Shiver

· by Alain Brunet

Jón Þór Jónsi Birgisson, 45, launches a second solo album exactly a decade after Go. From Iceland, he migrated to California, where he now lives, but records in Berlin, Reykjavik, London, and Helsinki. From Sigur Rós, of which he is lead singer and guitarist, he takes this time the avenue of ethereal rock, but above all that of a consensual synth-pop with sometimes audacious, dense, corrosive contours. These 11 songs certainly have prog and post-rock overtones, the production suggested here is rather an assortment of pop music despite their innovative characteristics. Jónsi recycles the countertenor and tenor anthems he is familiar with. Two notable appearances add to the offering: the Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser sings on “Cannibal”, while Robyn, the unavoidable Scandinavian dance-pop diva, expresses herself fervently on “Salt Licorice”. We also spot tunes inspired by Nordic folklore, with voices beautifully superimposed in ancestral high frequencies. Shiver was co-produced by Alexander Guy Cook, instigator of the electronic avant-pop collective PC Music, which in the U.K. is what Animal Collective was to the U.S. a while ago. This being said, one can’t conclude that the Icelandic artist has really taken the helm. He is certainly on the lookout for new sounds, but… he’s sometimes redundant on the background.

Latest 360 Content

Pro Musica | Marion Portelance and Emmanuel Charest, New Team on Fire

Pro Musica | Marion Portelance and Emmanuel Charest, New Team on Fire

Martin Saint – Seekers

Martin Saint – Seekers

Single of The Day: “Spirit Bomb” by Tucana

Single of The Day: “Spirit Bomb” by Tucana

Syli d’Or 2025 | Raíz Viva and Their Afro-Colombian Percussion

Syli d’Or 2025 | Raíz Viva and Their Afro-Colombian Percussion

Lucy Dacus – Forever Is A Feeling

Lucy Dacus – Forever Is A Feeling

Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power

Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power

The art of entertaining: according to Gang of Four

The art of entertaining: according to Gang of Four

Centre des Musiciens de Monde brings us the martial art of singing!

Centre des Musiciens de Monde brings us the martial art of singing!

Syli d’Or 2025 | Latin America in the final with MARZOS and MATEO

Syli d’Or 2025 | Latin America in the final with MARZOS and MATEO

Syli d’Or 2025 | Reunion Island in The Running with Kozé

Syli d’Or 2025 | Reunion Island in The Running with Kozé

Frank Zappa’s Roxy & Elsewhere + Apostrophe = Rox(Postroph)y played by Dweezil’s Band

Frank Zappa’s Roxy & Elsewhere + Apostrophe = Rox(Postroph)y played by Dweezil’s Band

Jaco – Plan F

Jaco – Plan F

JACO Intends to Succeed With Its Plan F

JACO Intends to Succeed With Its Plan F

The TWO, The Unlikely Blues Duo

The TWO, The Unlikely Blues Duo

Soir de jazz symphonique à Laval

Soir de jazz symphonique à Laval

Meggie Lennon – My Best Self

Meggie Lennon – My Best Self

Critique Love… Critical Minerals in Montreal’s Underground

Critique Love… Critical Minerals in Montreal’s Underground

The Mars Volta – Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacio

The Mars Volta – Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacio

Laurence Hélie – Tendresse et bienveillance

Laurence Hélie – Tendresse et bienveillance

From Zigaz to Charlie Juste

From Zigaz to Charlie Juste

FACS, WORKS, and DahL at Quai Des Brumes

FACS, WORKS, and DahL at Quai Des Brumes

Before Sitting Down Alone at The Piano, Ingrid St-Pierre Responds

Before Sitting Down Alone at The Piano, Ingrid St-Pierre Responds

Virginia MacDonald, clarinet rising soloist with ONJM

Virginia MacDonald, clarinet rising soloist with ONJM

Lionel Belmondo , Yannick Rieu and l’OSL: Symphonic Jazz Around Brahms, Ravel and Boulanger

Lionel Belmondo , Yannick Rieu and l’OSL: Symphonic Jazz Around Brahms, Ravel and Boulanger

Subscribe to our newsletter