Sigur Ros ( ): Personal Track Names | SPOTLIGHT

So, Sigur Ros, one of my absolute favourite bands, released a very interesting concept album in 2002. They called the album '( )', and left every track name untitled. In some editions of the album, they even added in a blank booklet for you to draw the insert art. The whole album is sung in a made up language called Hopelandic, so the music itself is what will evoke these titles/drawings/emotions. I thought it would be interesting if, instead of doing what most do and just name the tracks by their numbers, I would actually name them what I feel they should be called. It is actually a really fun, immersive way to listen to music and I think by doing this, you can have a really profound experiences with the tracks that you otherwise may miss out on. I translated the names into Icelandic because, well, it IS Sigur Ros. For your convenience, I have linked a stream of the full album at the bottom of this post, to see what you can come up with!

[1] - Glæður (Embers)
As I sat listening to this song, I found myself having similar feelings of warmth that I do when watching flames dance. This probably has a lot to do with the fact the lyrics sound like 'you sat along the fire, you saw the light'. This track has a very calming, yet mesmerising sound, and to me that's what happens when you watch flames.

[2]- Gleymt Mistur (Forgotten Mist)
This song makes me feel as if I'm lost in a deep fog in the middle of some immense forest. Rather than fear, it evokes the feeling of the evening chill biting against my arms as I explore the forest looking for something.

[3] - Sameinuð (Reunited)
Now out of the mist, I have found something. I don't know what, but the track seems joyous as if I have found what I have been looking for, even if I didn't know exactly what that was yet. In my head, I've stumbled upon some beautiful structure in the forest; some hidden, secret wonder.

[4] - Endurspeglast Fiðrildi (Butterfly's Reflection)
This song made me imagine a crisp, clear landcape. A girl sits by a duck pond and tries to catch butterflies. It just reminds me of a summer day, and a lake so clear and still its almost a mirror.

[5] - Vegurinn (The Road)
This is the bleak half of the album. This reminds me of stumbling down a road on a hot day. Just the feeling of everything slowing down and complete isolation when you receive bad news. Beautiful, if not bleak track.

[6] - Ihvolf Trommur (Hollowed Drums)
 For some reason I saw someone going through an abandoned village, looking for someone. It just seems to completely understand the anxiety of looking through somewhere lost, and the eventual outburst of emotion after that.

[7] - Dauða Lagið (The Death Song)
This is probably the bleakest, but not in a terrifying, metal way. Instead, it reminds me of ghosts - old pictures, forgotten memories. I just imagined the same village, picking up a photograph of someone you knew. It really evoked a deep sense of bittersweet sadness.

[8] - Að Falla (The Fall)
Purely, this song makes me feel like I'm slowly falling, almost drifting away. It's melancholy, but not as bleak as the last few tracks. Whenever I close my eyes and listen to this with my headphones in, I feel like I'm falling off into peace. Beautifully atmospheric. 


Ultimately, this is purely my interpretation. I think everyone who loves this album should attempt to do this some time. Rather than just a mere gimick, this album from Sigur Ros wants to be understood. By trying to voice images you see, you begin an insular process that is quite astounding. I would truly recommend giving it a try.