Daily Jam - Hjartað Hamast (Bamm Bamm Bamm)

For my money, Sigur Rós's 1999 album "Ágætis Byrjun" is still one of the most beautiful and emotional records ever made.  Here's a track.  Listen to "Hjartað Hamast (Bamm Bamm Bamm)" below, our Daily Jam.

Sigur Rós

Sigur Rós are surprise releasing new album "ÁTTA" tomorrow, and the first single is the kind of beautiful, minimalist neo-classical, and post rock sound we've come to expect from the band, even if it's been a few years since we last heard from them.  Check out "Blóðberg" below and watch the glaciers move.  Look for the album digitally tomorrow from BMG and pre-order the vinyl, due in September, here.

Daily Jam - Untitled #1

The music of Sigur Rós can speak to my soul like no other music really can, which is quite something considering some of it is sung in a made-up language.  Here's "Untitled #1" from the band's 2002 album "( )," our Daily Jam.

Jónsi

Sigur Rós front man Jónsi has a new solo album heading our way in the fall.  "Shiver" looks to be a sweeping pop album that pushes the artist outside of his usual post rock and ambient explorations.  Listen to "Swill" below and pre-order the record here from KRUNK.

Daily Jam - Glósóli

There was a time when i would have argued that Sigur Rós was probably the best band in the world.  Probably after i saw them live.  Granted this was about 15 years ago and my subject sample was smaller, but the ethereal post rock band's often intense and emotional compositions could make my heart break or soar with nary a word of English (or sometimes even a discernible language at all) to be found.  While my opinion of the band may not be quite as hyperbolic as it was in the past, i still think they're great, and that live performance i saw was one of the most fantastic i've ever had the pleasure of witnessing.  Anyway, here's "Glósóli" from 2005's "Takk," a song that builds and builds until it swells and crescendos at its absolute breaking point, gorgeous and heart wrenching.  And it's our Daily Jam.

Sigur Rós - Hoppipolla (Planet Earth II mix)

The excellent BBC nature documentary series "Planet Earth" is getting an excellent sequel series, "Planet Earth II."  And Sigur Rós is providing a rework of their 2005 track "Hoppipolla" for the show's soundtrack.  The song has always evoked an emotional response from me, and this new version does the same.  Listen below.

Death Vessel & Jonsi

Death Vessel is the hushed folk project of Rhode Island's Joel Thibodeau.  New album "Island Intervals" is due in February on Sub Pop.  "Ilsa Drown" is the first single and features Jonsi from Sigur Ros on guest vocals.  The whole thing is cold, and quiet, and very wintery.  Listen below.

Sigur Rós - Brennisteinn

Photo by Lilja Birgisdottir

Sigur Rós has been creating compelling, ethereal soundscapes for quite some time now.  "Agaetis Byrjun" is probably one of my all time favorite albums.  Beautiful music.  As the years have progressed though, at times the the band's sound almost feels derivative of itself, like there's no further room to explore.  That may be changing on upcoming album "Kveikur" if the subtle, black metal elements of first single "Brennisteinn" are any indication.  Watch the video below and look for the album in June from XL.