Standout Songs:
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On his debut solo record, J贸nsi surprisingly doesn't incorporate a whole lot of Sigur R贸s' trademarks. The seminal post-rock band's songwriting and instrumentation is often characterized as slow, meditative, minimal, and atmospheric. There's also an emotional ambiguity in their music; depending on who you ask, some would say it is mournfully forlorn or commandingly triumphant. I tend to fall somewhere in the middle, finding their music to be cautiously hopeful and optimistic. By comparison, J贸nsi's Go feels almost antithetical to his work with Sigur R贸s. The production is fairly maximal; combining sounds from many different instrument families to create a brightly coloured cornucopia. The record is also incredibly driving thanks to its distinct approach to percussion. The performances are busy, but there's also a 'prepared' element to the drums that result in a metallic, trashy aesthetic.
So there's a stark difference in the sounds and production; how does that affect the vibe? Well the feeling is actually easy to pinpoint in most cases. It's an undeniably joyful experience that communicates a sense of childlike wonder given J贸nsi's boyish croon and the hyperactive beating of 'pots and pans.' I find there's an element of seafaring adventure as well with the shimmering, stringed instrumentation and high-pitched woodwinds. These qualities are best showcased on the singles Go Do and Animal Arithmetic, as well as deeper cuts life Boy Lilikoi and Around Us. Lyrically, J贸nsi really hammers home this theme of childlike wonder by consistently depicting scenes that make you want to leave home and explore the land, air, and water. My favourite of them is Animal Arithmetic as it contains an urgency in the rhythm and J贸nsi's vocal delivery that isn't quite matched by other tracks. The song approaches the theme via a different angle; a young love. In the lyrics, our unnamed protagonists find connections between themselves and nature by engaging in typical teenage activities with reckless abandon.
There are a couple somber detours sprinkled throughout that align a little more closely with Sigur R贸s' material. The most noteworthy tracks of this kind occur right at the very end of the record starting with Grow Till Tall. This track follows that post-rock formula, starting with a spacey, ambient first leg followed by a steady build towards an exhilaratingly noisy climax. J贸nsi embodies a wise elder as his lyrics convey that we all must grow out of adolescence eventually, reach full maturity, and begin our inevitable decline. Like Sigur R贸s' music, it is supremely melancholic, but J贸nsi's delicate words imply that growing up isn't anything to fear or reject. It's an intensely beautiful way to culminate an album with such persistent, adolescent themes. If this album were a movie, it would end here and Hengil谩s would play as the credits roll. The combination of bass enhanced strings and horns deliver a warm and mournful drone as J贸nsi gently sings on top. The chorus, however, has a sweet melodic lift and his soaring falsetto towards the end of the track give the song his signature hopefulness.
I feel personally indebted to this era of J贸nsi's career. Sticks and Stones, which served as the song for the end credits to the animated Dreamworks film How to Train Your Dragon, was my introduction to his music. I was immediately swept up by the majestic nature of the sound and was compelled to seek out more. Sadly, this song wasn't included on his debut album, but I was very happy to find more material of this kind that was just as good. It wouldn't be until some time later that I would finally make the connection that he was the front man for Sigur R贸s, launching me into their legendary discography. I can't state how important their music has been in my life. They've played a monumental role in helping me navigate my twenties, a period of my life where I was struggling to find stability. The music and the sound of Go was where it all began, and for that, it will always hold a special place in my heart.