Earlier this week, Icelandic atmospheric pillars Sigur Rós debuted new music, their first since 2016, with the release of the beautiful, albeit very bleak “Blóðberg" - an strikingl ten-minute masterclass of minimalism that included accompaniment from the London Contemporary Orchestra.
Coupled with a new visual helmed by Johan Renck, who also directed the HBO series Chernobyl, the portrayal paints a dismal picture - framing a desolate wasteland of endless sand, dead trees and worse - lifeless bodies. The sweeping aerial view, coupled with the striking composition make for a compelling reintroduction.
Now, Sigur Rós have upped the ante, parlaying the new single into a surprise album announcement that will land this Friday, June 16th. ÁTTA serves as the band's first full length release in a decade and marks the reunion of multi-instrumentalist Kjartan Sveinsson with frontman Jónsi and bassist Georg Holm.
The album was recorded in various locations across the globe including the band's Sundlaugin studio in Iceland, the legendary Abbey Road in the UK and various studios in the US. ÁTTA also showcases the collaboration with the London Contemporary Orchestra conducted by Robert Ames, alongside brass performed by longtime Icelandic collaborators Brassgat í bala.
Speaking to the thematic significance of the album, frontman Jonsi spoke about the how the music was a response to the current, divisive cultural climate the world is battling. “When we do this, we always talk about each album as if it might be the last,” Jonsi shared. “We’re always thinking about climate change, doom-scrolling and going to hell. The world felt a bit bleak making this album, but maybe there is hope. When there is darkness, there is light.”
ÁTTA arrives as Sigur Rós prepare to embark on a completely sold out succession of tour dates spanning Europe and North America. The band will be performing with a 41-piece orchestra. The tour bgeins June 16th at Meltdown Festival in the UK where the band will perform with the London Contemporary Orchestra. The Wordless Music Orchestra will accompany Sigur Rós for their North American dates with each orchestra being conducted by Rob Ames.
ÁTTA from Sigur Rós lands June 16th. Pre-order the album - HERE
Sigur Rós Tour Dates
6/16 London, UK — Royal Festival Hall - SOLD OUT
6/17 Amsterdam, Netherlands — Concertgebouw - SOLD OUT
6/18 Hamburg, Germany — Elbphilharmonie - SOLD OUT
7/3 Paris, France — Philharmonie Main Hall - SOLD OUT
8/14 Toronto, ON — Roy Thomson Hall - SOLD OUT
8/16 New York City, NY — Beacon Theatre - SOLD OUT
8/18 Brooklyn, NY — Kings Theatre - SOLD OUT
8/19 Boston, MA — Wang Theatre - SOLD OUT
8/21 Minneapolis, MN — State Theatre - SOLD OUT
8/24 Seattle, WA — The Paramount Theatre - SOLD OUT
8/26 Berkeley, CA — The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley - SOLD OUT
8/27 Los Angeles, CA — The Greek Theatre - SOLD OUT
