Originally created to soundtrack a video game, Jónsi’s solo album ‘First Light’ has an immersive, escapist quality that reflects his inspiration, but far exceeding the original purpose. The Sigur Rós vocalist and composer describes his motive “Writing this music at a time of manmade global turmoil and unrest for a video game, I imagined ‘First Light’ as a momentary, fantastical red, over-the-top, utopian world where everyone and everything lives in everlasting peace and harmony”.
Outside of his work with Sigur Rós, Jónsi has released three solo albums and composed numerous film scores, earning a Golden Globe nomination for his song ‘Revelation’ from the film Boy Erased. Overall, this album has a cinematic quality that evokes a wide sense of profound emotions despite it being purely instrumental.
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Fourth song ‘Clearing’ has an irresistibly calming and grounding effect reminiscent of the natural sorting of stones by the tide on a blissful, beautiful beach, making the listener feel they have escaped to the shore. The wonderfully simple yet profound concept of waves creating a sense of order reflects Jónsi’s idea of a sense of harmony amidst the turmoil of our time. Sonically, the track is the most captivating on the album.
‘Cherry Blossom’ follows, its dramatic piano chords creating a gripping effect, drifting seamlessly into the harmonic strings of ‘In Plain View’, this more cheering sound contrasting perfectly with the previous more ominous sound, showcasing Jónsi’s formidable songwriting ability. ‘Floweret’, despite its innocent sounding title, has a brilliantly intensifying drum effect with a mesmerising tribal quality throughout the track that marks an invigorating change of tempo from the peaceful sound of the previous pieces. ‘First Light’ offers the listener a beautiful sense of escape, taking you on a compelling journey throughout.
7/10
Words: Brendan Sharp
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