José González is one of those musicians who is well known without many recognising it. Until that is, someone plays his most known track “Heartbeats”, which was unavoidable after it released in the early Noughties. Since then, the Swedish solo artist hasn’t pierced through the zeitgeist in quite the same way, but he has been more than successful enough.
Born in Gothenburg to Argentine parents who had fled their native country following the coup in the late seventies, González grew up learning the guitar on a steady stream of Latin and folk influences which form the bedrock foundation of his songwriting.
His signature style of just himself and his acoustic guitar, is disarmingly simple yet captivating. González’s softly sung vocals pair comfortably with his folksy guitar playing, incorporating occasional virtuoso flourishes. With his latest album, and fifth overall, Against The Dying of The Light, González provides a continuation of his style with an ever-slight nudge into a blues tone.
Opening track, “A Perfect Storm” is an enchanting tune, with González’s guitar playing setting a steady, compelling rhythm under meditative vocals. It evokes stark imagery of a storm brewing over a sprawling natural frontier, think of the Old West, or the sparse Highlands of Scotland. It is a moody, brooding number that sets an early high standard.
“Etyd” and the title track follow, with the former a mystical, dreamy serenade, before the latter softly raises, reaching an understated crescendo. At this early stage, González has laid out the theme of growing concern at the state of humanity and society. But it isn’t all gloom, with the final line of the titular track a bittersweet reminder to celebrate and cherish that we are alive.
Humanity is at the core of everything here: every strum and pluck of his guitar brings out an echoey resonance from González’s acoustic, while chord changes are accompanied by the unmistakable sound of fingers sliding across frets and strings. It is rustic and natural, undeniably human.
Overall, it may not vary much and can feel like it re-treads steps it has just taken, but with Against The Dying of The Light, González offers a compelling and welcoming reminder of the depth and warmth a human touch can bring.
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