As Sigur Rós are currently wrapping up their sixth studio, the band’s singer/guitarist/most recognizable face Jónsi (aka Jón Þór Birgisson) has chosen to unveil his side-project with boyfriend Alex Somers to a wider audience.
The couple have spent the last six years collaborating on small scale works involving both visual pieces and music, which includes various exhibitions, a limited edition picture book and a couple of singles. Finally, on July 21st, Jónsi & Alex (their official name) will release their debut album, Riceboy Sleeps.
Of course, with these types of offshoots, expectations will be for something akin to the spatial and expansive beauty of Sigur Rós and Riceboy Sleeps arguably supplies even more of a natural sound. Inviting regular Sigur Rós collaborators and fellow Icelandic musicians Amiina and the Kópavogsdætur Choir, the album was made utilizing only acoustic instruments and solar-powered laptops in a “raw food commune in some far corner of Hawaii.”
What catch most people off-guard, is the more ambient, instrumental lean of the music. While Sigur Rós is usually recognized for Jónsi’s soaring falsetto that is often sung in the made-up language of Hopelandic, the pair eschew vocals on the majority of the album, save for standout “Boy 1904,” a haunting bit of Eno-like lullaby featuring the choral pipes of the last known castrato ever recorded.
With Riceboy Sleeps, Jónsi & Alex have conjured up a stunningly organic ambient recording full of incidental field recordings and demonstrative orchestrations that is as powerful as it is fragile.
Listen to it Here
Artist: Jónsi & Alex
Album:Riceboy Sleeps
Release Date: July 21, 2009
Label: XL Recordings
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
Author: Cam Lindsay
Track Listing:
Posted: July 24th, 2009 | Category: First Spins | Comments: No Comments
Tags: First Spin, Jónsi & Alex, Riceboy Sleeps, Sigur Ros

Artist: Little Boots
Album: Illuminations EP
Release Date: June 16, 2009
Genre: Pop/Electronica
I think you’d have to be living under a rock if you haven’t heard of Little Boots yet. If any of you read music blogs from anywhere around the world I’m sure you have come across one of her songs. This artist is a gem. She is one of those rare artists that have the ability to draw in different audiences.
Her poppy/dancy sound has created a buzz around the internet on blogs and it’s no surprise why. Her songs are catchy enough that after one listen you’ll be hooked. Her debut album ‘Hands’ was released in the UK this past week while her EP ‘Illuminations’ will be released in the US & Canada next week. You can listen to the ‘Illuminations’ EP right now before it hits stores! Give it a listen and let me know what you think!
1. New In Town
2. Stuck On Repeat
3. Not Now
4. Magical
5. Love Kills
Posted: June 11th, 2009 | Category: First Spins, Music | Comments: 2 Comments
Tags: First Spin, little boots

We all love music don’t we? Well I know I sure do. Which is why I love making the First Spin SINGLES playlists for all of you to listen to. It’s the perfect way of getting a nice dose of some of the best singles out there right now. This is the first of many MuchMore First Spin SINGLES features and it’s starting out with tons of hits that I can’t stop listening to.
First of all is The Sounds. I’m not sure if you have heard of them or not but you must. They are a synth-pop band from Sweden. Their latest album is called Crossing the Rubicon and it’s simply amazing – packed full of infectious new wave dance/pop hits. Then we have the amazing Little Boots who will no doubt be a huge hit this year. Other smash hits include the first single from Misstress Barbara’s album – I’m No Human (which you can listen to the full thing here), Pilot Speed’s first single from their new album Wooden Bones, Karl Wolf’s second single, the catchy remix of Tiny Dancer by Ironik, Coldplay’s tour partner – Howling Bells, and brand new tracks from: Paulo Nutini, The Veronicas, Butterfly Boucher, Rob Thomas, and many many more.
So sit back. Relax. Enjoy.
Full Track listing:
*NEW* - Mariah Carey – Obsessed
*NEW* – Lazybones – Slowmotion
01 – The Sounds – Dorchester Hotel
02 – Little Boots – New In Town
03 – Mistress Barbara feat. Sam Roberts – I’m Runnin’
04 – James Yuill – No Surprise
05 – Ironik feat. Chipmunk and Elton John) – Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer)
06 – Paolo Nutini – Candy
07 – Green Day – Know Your Enemy
08 – Pilot Speed – Put The Phone Down
09 – Rob Thomas – Her Diamonds
10 – Karl Wolf – Carrera
11 – David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland – When Love Takes Over
12 – Shinedown – Second Chance
13 – Howling Bells – Cities Burning Down
14 – The Veronicas – Take Me On The Floor
15 – Norglen – Miss You Yet
16 – Sean Paul – So Fine
17 – The Stills – I’m With You
18 – Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat – Lucky
19 – The Most Serene Republic – Heavens To Purgatory
20 – Howie Beck – Flashover
21 – Angus & Julia Stone – Paper Aeroplane
22 – Butterfly Boucher – Gun For A Tongue
23 – Maria Taylor – Cartoons and Forever Plans
24 – Jenny Owen Youngs – Led To The Sea
25 – Tinted Windows – Kind Of A Girl
Posted: May 25th, 2009 | Category: First Spins, Music | Comments: 1 Comment
Tags: First Spin, singles

Artist: Polly Scattergood
Album: Polly Scattergood
Genre: Brit Pop
Released: May 19, 2009
Polly Scattergood is a British singer songwriter that has produced an album that can be described as dark, intense and original. After giving her self-titled debut album a listen a certain number of artists popped up in my head that she reminds me of. Those artists are Bjork, Bat For Lashes and Kate Nash. If those three created a super group and released an album it would definitely sound like this.
Posted: May 15th, 2009 | Category: First Spins, Music | Comments: No Comments
Tags: First Spin, Polly Scattergood









