Sigur Ros – new album Valtari out May 28th, 2012 tour dates

cover art for Valtari

This is some of the oldest news on the internet, but I am in the mood to add a sliver of content to my infrequently visited, cob-web infested corner of the internet. Also, the album is so fucking incredible that I really feel the need to unload for a second. Sigur Ros’ new record Valtari is due out on May 28th 2012, but I managed to get my hands on an advance copy and I simply cannot stop listening to it. Each song is a thing of beauty; a slow building, almost low-fi swell of ambient vocal and instrumental wales, peppered with subtle interruptions and cameos by what sounds like ancient, wooden, instruments being played by Bruno S. and captured by some bloke with a tape recorder. The tone of this record feels much darker and less playful than, say, their 2008 release Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust. Especially absent is a song with the frenetic, celebratory feel of something like Gobbledigook. Obviously the album isn’t lacking in any of Sigur Ros’ signature sounds that they are known for and carry across the entirety of their catalog, but this album feels much, much more meditative and gloomy. Varúð in particular nails me square in the heart. To me, it’s almost a perfect masterpiece and I am completely addicted to the moods and imagery the album implants within my imagination. They will be playing some dates in the US (and abroad) this year and I look forward to seeing how these songs translate into a live setting (that is, if I can get a fucking ticket). Dates and a video for the new album below.

Sigur Ros 2012 Tour Dates (copied and pasted from BrooklynVegan.com)

July 30 2012 the mann (skyline stage) philadelphia, united states
july 31 2012 prospect park, brooklyn new york city, united states
august 1 2012 echo beach, toronto canada
august 3 2012 osheaga festival, montreal canada
august 3-5 2012 lollapalooza, chicago, il united states
august 8 2012 paramount, seattle, wa united states
august 9 2012 edgefield, portland, or united states
august 12 2012 hollywood forever cemetery, los angeles, ca, united states
august 18/19 2012 summer sonic festival japan
august 24 2012 rock en seine festival paris, france
august 25 2012 steinberggasse, winterthur festival, switzerland
august 28 2012 paradiso, amsterdam netherlands
august 29 2012 paradiso, amsterdam netherlands
august 31 2012 electric picnic festival ireland
september 2 2012 a perfect day festival verona, italy
september 4 2012 arena vienna, austria
september 7 2012 berlin festival berlin, germany
september 9 2012 bestival isle of wight, england
september 16 2012 sacrum profanum festival krakow, poland
september 17 2012 sacrum profanum festival krakow, poland