Go feels ecstatic, but also broaches darker themes. Do you feel that way about it? “Lyrically, it’s a lot about hopes and fears. There are definitely two opposite sides to this album. The more upbeat, colourful songs are just ‘go for it! Do everything you want! Make your dreams come true and be alive!’. The slower songs are more about the fear you have; the fear that keeps people down, the daily worries of life.”
One immediately striking aspect is the rhythmic percussion. It’s totally different to Sigur Rós. “I actually had no clue that it would take this direction (laughs). These were songs I’d collected over 10 years, written on guitar. So when I started, I thought I was going to do this minimal acoustic album, but it just took this crazy turn.”
Working with percussionist Samuli Kosminen was obviously central to the kind of crazy, upbeat feel. “Samuli brought a lot of life and energy to the album. He’s from Finland and he’s played with a lot of bands – like Múm – and I’ve always been amazed by his work. He’s such an inventive drummer. Outside of Sigur Rós, I’m a really rhythmic person. I love beats and rhythms and one of my favourite type of instrumentalist to watch live is drummers.”
How was the collaboration in the studio? “Really spontaneous. Samuli hadn’t heard the songs, we hadn’t talked about what he should do, it was just done in the studio and created on the spot. He turned up with his suitcase and drummed away! Nico Muhly added some incredibly playful, colourful, kind of schizophrenic arrangements too.”
Is it reflective of life in Iceland at the moment? The country suffered terribly in the GFC. Is it a time for new beginnings? “I think so. The price of living has spiralled; people have lost their jobs, but in ways it’s got people to think about their lives; how they live them. In Iceland, people were consuming stuff they didn’t need left and right, so I think it’s healthy to go back to basics, spend more time with your friends and family, reassess. Doing this record — it’s definitely scary — but very liberating.”
Go is out April 2 via Parlophone/EMI
Visit: jonsi.com
