Congratulations, collegiettes! You survived midterms! And if you haven’t finished with them quite yet, I preemptively congratulate you. In celebration of the break you can now take, however slight it may be, I offer some less-than-well-known happy music: Sigur Ros and, the lead singer’s solo album, Jonsi. As a note, if you have seen “How to Train Your Dragon” and stayed to watch the first part of the credits, you have already heard this artist.
Now, I will offer this slight warning: Songs on “Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust,” as you may have gathered, are not sung in English. But do not let that dissuade you. I am in love with the whole thing, but two songs specifically stick out in my mind: “Gobbledigook” and “Inní mér syngur vitleysingur.” I dare you to be unhappy while listening to these songs. The rest of the album ranges from quietly pensive to bittersweet all while maintaining a certain air of sheer bliss no matter how quiet the music or how vast the soundscape (“Ara Batur” vs. “Festival”). I highly recommend the entire album. Don’t let the lack of English lyrics deter you! This is one of those cases where it doesn’t matter if you cannot understand the exact lyrics — the emotions are conveyed just as well without them.
The lead singer of Sigur Ros took some time to make a solo album in 2010. In lots of ways, it has the same sound as Sigur Ros. One of the qualities it retains, and this probably has something to do with Jonsi’s voice, is the feeling of bliss and joy and contentment that washes over you when you listen to it. For a really happy song, I would pick “Go Do,” a song that rivals “Gobbledigook,” and “Inní mér syngur vitleysingur.” Just like the Sigur Ros album, this one ranges from softly contemplative and sad to full-out, trance-inducing joy.
I hope you all give Sigur Ros and Jonsi a listen, and good luck with the second-half of the semester!