Album Review Jónsi – Shiver

While ‘Shiver’ isn’t exactly the epitome of batshit some might’ve hoped for once news of the Sigur Rós frontman working with PC Music main man AG Cook surfaced, it does have its moments. ‘Wildeye’ makes like Swedish glitch-pop outfit The Knife immediately, its stop- start, cut’n’paste nature a joy to behold - and then comes the beautifully baffling breakdown. ‘Salt Licorice’, featuring Swedish floorfiller Robyn then takes it to eleven, making reference to her spectacularly on-brand “Scandinavian pain”. Similarly, ‘Hold’ marries Jónsi’s eternally-curious, childlike vocals with futuristic production to great effect. ‘Sumarið Sem Aldrei Kom’ is curious, albeit in a different way, standing out for being more organic, almost hymn- like in nature. Elsewhere, however, while not exactly the wildlife-soundtracking level of Nan-friendly safe his day job has reached, it’s largely default Jónsi, just with a few more effects.