Jónsi

We Bought a Zoo Sony Music ****

We Bought a Zoo Sony Music****

Jónsi Birgisson is making the most of the Sigur Rós hiatus. While his bandmates take time off from music, the Icelander has already undertaken two solo projects. His third, this score to Cameron Crowe's new movie, incorporates several "reimagined" cuts from last year's solo album Go. Rather than feeling like tokenistic inclusions, Boy Lilikoiand Sinking Friendshipswork exquisitely alongside new tender piano piece Aevin Endar and the xylophone lullaby of Brambles. Sigur Rós's beautiful Hoppípola sounds equally at home, but it's closing track Gathering Storiesthat epitomises the magic of Jónsi's compositions. All at once, they conjure thrilling images of wistful beauty and the unadulterated magic of childhood. An elegant companion to both the movie and Birgisson's previous material. See jonsi.com

Download tracks: Boy Lilikoi, We Bought a Zoo, Gathering Stories

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy is a freelance journalist and broadcaster. She writes about music and the arts for The Irish Times