A frontman going solo to cut an album, when done well, mixes the artist’s personality and style with what is best about their band and delivers something that’s both familiar and fresh. With Go, Jónsi, leader of Sigur Rós never ventures too far from the epic sound his band is known for but does give a taste of a different approach to crafting highly symphonic songs.

Jónsi’s distinct voice, falsetto and bright, nimbly dances around the opening tracks. He effortlessly slips from English to Icelandic in operatic flourishes that are big and bold and build with intensity.

The epic arrangements and layered orchestration coupled with Jónsi familiar voice is unsurprisingly reminiscent of Sigur Rós. It’s hard with a voice and delivery as recognizable as his to completely shed his other band’s influence.
But there’s enough here that separates the lead singer from the band and the album is anything but Sigur Rós Lite.

The first half of the album is fast paced, erratic at times, and features more typical songs structures and melodies. “Go Do” and “Boy Lilikoi” have true pop sensibilities are even danceable, yet are intricate and interesting with notes and sounds tucked in every corner of each.

These songs never come off as busy, in the way Animal Collective can, but are still equally layered and complex with many moving parts building upon each other.

“Tornado” is slow and deliberate, growing in tension with Jónsi delivering the stark lyrics in a way that would make Sufjan Stevens cry.

With “Kolniður,” “Grow till Tall” and “Hengilás” the album takes a turn toward the dark and melancholy. Gone are the poppy tunes and in place are post-rock layered passages of heaviness that lean more towards what you’d expect from Sigur Rós.

The production alone is worth giving this album a spin; I suggest listening with your best pair of headphones. The mix is smart and restrained, allowing each of the many strings, keys and drums to build up on each other without ever sounding cluttered. Each listen has turned up something I missed before.

Falling somewhere between Pavarotti and Freddie Mercury, Jónsi paints with broad strokes in big beautiful colors on Go and even though I can’t understand, literally, half of what he sings, I’m still continually overwhelmed with how clearly he’s able to communicate with the listener.

Go is just what you’d expect from Jónsi while Sigur Rós is on an indefinite hiatus. It’s an outlet for new material that clearly demonstrates he’s in the driver’s seat and with or without his band he can create a captivating and distinguished album.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jónsi plays Tuesday April 27, and Wednesday, April 28, at The Vic Theatre.  Death Vessel opens both shows. Tickets are $35, showtime is 7:30 p.m.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jonsi -- “Go Do”