Released on 12 June 1999, and widely considered their breakthrough, Ágætis byrjun (“A Good Beginning”) brought Sigur Rós international acclaim. Known for its lush arrangements and Jónsi’s haunting falsetto, it features iconic tracks like “Svefn-g-englar” and “Starálfur.” This album is often hailed as one of the greatest post-rock albums and showcases the band’s shift toward a more melodic and emotional sound. Ágætis byrjun was a commercial and critical breakthrough for Sigur Rós. It received a 2000 release in the United Kingdom and a 2001 release in the United States. According to their label Smekkleysa Records, the album sold 10,000 copies on its first year of release in Iceland, earning the band platinum status. It won numerous awards, and has appeared on multiple critics’ lists of the best albums of the 2000s. Ágætis byrjun is the band’s first album to feature keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson, and their last to feature drummer Ágúst Ævar Gunnarsson, who left the band several months after the album was released. Gunnarsson was replaced by Orri Páll Dýrason in the same year.
Liste to ‘Ágætis byrjun’ on Spotify
