[News] Sigur Rós to Release New Album 'Valtari' in May
UPDATE: The band has unveiled the official artwork for the album, which you can see above. As well, you can listen to the song "Ekki Múkk" from the album after the jump, and the album has been given an official U.S. release date of May 29th via EMI/XL.
Staying true to the promise they made late last year, Sigur Rós have announced that their sixth studio album is set to release in May and is titled Valtari. According to images of this month's Q Magazine, which were released on the band's official forum, the album will drop on May 28th. The album, which is being produced by lead singer Jónsi and frequent collaborator Alex Somers, will feature at least seven tracks, with the possibility of more.
When speaking with The Wall Street Journal last Fall, the album was described by the band as "introverted," "ambient," and "floaty and minimal." As well, during the interview with Q Magazine, bassist Georg Holm described it as "beautiful," going further to describe the name of the album and its meaning, saying that Valtari literally translates to "steamroller" in English. He explains that "the music kind of just rolls over you. In a good way."
To support the forthcoming release, Sigur Rós has announced a number of tour dates, including Osheaga Festival in Montreal. After the jump, you can take a look at the "partial" tracklisting for Valtari as well as the band's full tour schedule.
Sigur Rós - Ekki múkk from Sigur Rós on Vimeo.
Valtari Tracklist:
01. Ég Anda
02. Ekki Múkk
03. Varúð
04. Rembihnútur
05. Dauðalogn
06. Varðeldur
07. Valtari
08. Fjögur Pianó
Sigur Rós 2012 Tour Dates:
08/03 – Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival
08/18-19 – Osaka and Tokyo, JP @ Summer Sonic
08/24 – Paris, FR @ Rock en Seine
08/25 – Winterthur, CH @ Steinberggasse
08/28 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
08/29 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
08/31 – Stradbally, IE @ Electric Picnic
09/04 – Vienna, AT @ Arena
09/05 – Ljublhana, SL @ Krizanke
09/07 – Berlin, DE @ Berlin Festival
09/09 – Isle of Wight, UK @ Bestival
09/16 – Krakow, PL @ Sacrum Profanum
09/17 – Krakow, PL @ Sacrum Profanum