Sigur Ros // Valtari

Sigur Ros – Valtari (EMI) It’s been four years since Sigur Rós delivered the catchily titled ‘Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust’, and in that time, frontman Jónsi has released the collaborative ‘Riceboy Sleeps’ with boyfriend Alex Somers and his debut solo effort ‘Go’. And whilst both of these records are stunning in their own right, they’re just not Sigur Rós. So was it worth the wait? In short, yes. This record delivers something that the band haven’t given us so much of since ‘( )’, namely a significant shift in direction, away from the path littered with movie types waiting for that next track they could take and insert into their crappy, over sentimental attempt at an ‘indie’ film as a form of emotional shorthand so they don’t have to create it with their badly written narrative. This is not Sigur Rós’ fault, by the way, since their music genuinely does create these feelings. The first half of ‘Valtari’ could be called the vocal half, with considerably more singing than in the last 24 or so minutes of the album, and the order of the songs is perfect, creating probably the most complete record in terms of the way it flows that the band have so far produced. The instrumentation is gorgeous, and there’s even an unexpected hint of Godspeed you! Black Emperor in track 3 to tantalize your ears. Valtari is an absolutely dazzling record and I have no choice but to give it full marks.   10/10  BBV