Midweek Crisis #11
Featured: José González
Hello,
This time I recommend to you the peaceful and soothing music of José González, Swedish indie-folk singer-songwriter & guitarist.
It was the year 2005 when I heard his “Heartbeats” for the first time. This subtle, guitar cover of The Knife’s epic song conquered my heart. It’s an absolute ear candy 👂🍬.
I first heard it in the Sony Bravia advertisement, which I saw 11 years ago on TV. It’s still one of my favorite ads ever. The image of thousands of colorful balls bouncing in the sun on San Francisco’s steep hills lingered in my mind ⚪️🟡🟢.
This duo of mellow music and beautiful, dreamy images in slo-mo moves me deeply to this day. Despite the passage of time, it’s still hypnotizing, and satisfying to watch. If you remember it, and you love it too, leave me a comment down below.
“Heartbeats” song comes from the debut studio album of José González called “Veneer”, released in 2003. It has 11 songs which sum up to 30 minutes of pure pleasure. I treat it as a kind of a musical brain massage 🧠🎶💆♀️. The soft accords of classical guitar and velvet voice of José González are truly relaxing. Give it a try if you wish to wrap yourself in a cozy, musical blanket.
The other song, next to the “Heartbeats”, that is close to my heart is “Stay Alive”. The distinct piano and tick-tock sounds of the clock symbolize the time passing by 🕰. It was used in the soundtrack of “The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty”, one of my favorite movies. I was never a fan of Ben Stiller, but this time I loved the role he played. It is classified as a dramedy, but it is so much more. It’s inspiring, heartwarming, and beautifully shot. This film truly captures the meaning of life.
When “Local Valley” came out last month, I was super excited. It’s the 4th album of José González. The compilation of 13 songs lasts over 40 minutes. The harmonious sounds of classic guitar, chirping birds, and the smooth voice of the singer - you will find it all there.
What makes this album different is its energy. It’s more lively and vibrant than previous ones. This time José González experiments with sounds. He uses metronomic percussion, electronic beats, and cumbia rhythms, which makes some songs even danceable. I cannot pick only one, the most spine-tingling song from this album. Every single one has its own tempo, rhythm, and energy.
“Local Valley” is an album of 3 languages - Swedish, Spanish, and English. The opening track “El Invento” reaches the Argentinian roots of the Swedish singer. “Tjomme” and “En stund pa jorden” are both in Swedish. And the rest is in English. “Head On” is built with impressive fingerpicking and stomping handclaps. “Swing” is fun and energetic. “Lilla G” uses discreet whistles and finger snapping. “Line of Fire” is the most slow-paced and reflective ✨. And everything ends with a tranquil, nature-connected “Honey Honey”. The album is made of both acoustic lullabies and cheerful tunes. It’s a true pleasure from start to finish.
The first and the last album are my favorites, and that’s why I focused on them. If you’re curious about the rest of José González discography, visit his beautiful website, check out his Spotify profile and YouTube account.
Enjoy today’s playlist 🎧
Have a lovely Wednesday,
Stygi
Check out my Spotify profile for other playlists.
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