Valtari is the sixth studio album by Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, released on 23 May 2012 by Parlophone. Bassist Georg Hólm described the album as having "more electronic stuff than before" but not being "a dance album". The first single "Ekki Múkk", as well as an accompanying video, was released on the same day. Hólm also said of the album - "I really can’t remember why we started this record, I no longer know what we were trying to do back then. I do know session after session went pear-shaped, we lost focus and almost gave up... did give Read more on Last.fm.
I don’t always listen to ethereal awesome Icelandic post-rock but when I do I listen to Sigur Rós
Can we crown Sigur Rós the kings of ambience yet?
The members of Sigur Rós have returned from a four year creative hiatus with an album that was worth the wait. While the band may have struggled with methodology in 2010, just before scrapping their rumored 6th studio album, they seem to have gotten their *ehm* things in one bag.
While Valtari is a departure from the childish, pop sounds of Takk, the ambient, ethereal instrumentation back-bone remains. Further, Jonsi may have impressed upon the group the sounds of his self-titled side-project, with some skills acquired during the hiatus. Yet, one may find it hard to object to the background choirs and oboes (if my ears don’t betray me).
All in all, the depth and denseness of this band’s creativity continues to impress when considering their tiny homeland, where they’re due to perform this gem live for the first time in years.