Review : Sigur Ros – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (in english – with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly) is the fifth full length album from Sigur Ros and is released on 23rd June in the UK.

For the first time, they have drafted in some outside production talent and enlisted Flood (Depeche Mode, U2) the wiggle the faders.

On the opening two tracks ‘Gobbledigook’ and ‘Inní mér syngur vitleysingur’ there is a more progressive, jumpy up and down style from Sigur Ros which really works. Its a euphoric opening to an album which will draw comparisons with Arcade Fire.

Track 5 is marvellous ‘Festival’ starting off with 4 or 5 minutes of the Sigur Ros everyone recognises, gentle vocals and ethereal sounds before building to a climax complete with horns, guitars, fearsome drums and cymbals – it is both brutal and beautiful and compelling listening…right down the feint whistling on the outro as the melody repeats.

‘Með suð í eyrum’ – is a nice quiet interlude, with a rolling drum line & gentle piano – before my favourite track on the album – ‘Ára bátur’ (rowing boat?) arrives, a  Sigur Ros epic, just shy of nine minutes opening with just a piano and Jonsi’s vocal, including his voice cracking and straining, but by the time the track ends there are more than 90 people involved in the track, including the London Oratory and the London Sinfonietta with the choir and the strings adding layers of depth I’ve not seen before with a Sigur Ros track. It really is a masterpiece – and I think we’ll hear this one for many years to come played over sunrises and sports celebrations as TV music.

The album closes out with ‘All Alright’ which to my knowledge is the first time that Sigur Ros have recorded in English.

It is definitely a good progression from ( ) and Takk and SIgur Ros have produced a really compelling album, full of texture and detail but accessible enough that they will discover new fans.  Hvarf/Heim plugged the gap between releases – but this is the real deal – buy it now, you won’t be disappointed.

Click More for a full Tracklisting

Sigur Ros – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

1. Gobbledigook
2. Inní mér syngur vitleysingur
3. Góðan daginn
4. Við spilum endalaust
5. Festival
6. Með suð í eyrum
7. Ára bátur
8. Illgresi
9. Fljótavík
10. Straumnes
11. All alright