Released 6 years ago this October
Shiver
Jónsi · 2020
52 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
Ethereal soundscapes blend with haunting melodies, creating an immersive experience that dances between fragility and strength.
Top tracks — play these first
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Shiver — The title track embodies the album's central theme of vulnerability, featuring layered vocals that create an intimate atmosphere while exploring complex emotions.
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Cannibal — This track stands out for its rhythmic drive and juxtaposition of melodic sweetness against darker lyrical content, highlighting Jónsi's ability to blend joy with anguish.
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Beautiful Boy — A poignant farewell that mixes tender lyrics with lush orchestration, it captures the essence of love and loss, serving as a heartfelt conclusion to the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Jónsi's 'Shiver' blends haunting melodies with innovative production, creating a distinctive and immersive listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a soft vocal line that gradually builds layers of instrumentation, creating a sense of rising tension.
- Several tracks feature abrupt shifts in dynamics, such as 'Cannibal', which transitions from quiet verses to explosive choruses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- ethereal soundscapes for deep focus
- immersive listening in solitude
- haunting melodies with emotional weight
- consistent progression through tracks
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on October 2, 2020, 'Shiver' is Jónsi's first solo album since his debut in 2009. Following his work with Sigur Rós, this album marks a significant return to personal artistry after over a decade of collaborative projects.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sigur Rós· Explosions in the Sky· Sufjan Stevens
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Exhale 5:12
- 2 Shiver 4:19
- 3 Cannibal 4:57
- 4 Wildeye 4:35
- 5 Sumarið sem aldrei kom 6:43
- 6 Kórall 6:21
- 7 Salt Licorice 3:47
- 8 Hold 3:00
- 9 Swill 3:49
- 10 Grenade 5:32
- 11 Beautiful Boy 4:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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