Jón Þór Birgisson (Jónsi), Georg Hólm, and Ágúst Ævar Gunnarsson formed the group in Reykjavík, Iceland in August 1994. They soon won a record deal with a local record label, Smekkleysa (Bad Taste). In 1997, they released Von (Hope) and in 1998, released a remix collection named Von brigði. The name is Icelandic wordplay: Vonbrigði means "disappointment," but Von brigði means "hope alteration." (In English, the album is sometimes known by the alternative name "Recycle Bin.")
International acclaim came with 1999's Ágætis Byrjun ("An alright start"), for which the band were joined by Kjartan Sveinsson. The album's reputation slowly spread by word of mouth over the next two years. Soon, many critics worldwide hailed it as one of the best albums of its time, and the band was playing with Radiohead and other big names. Drummer Ágúst left the band after the recording of Ágætis Byrjun and was replaced by Orri Páll Dýrason.
After the release of Ágætis Byrjun, the band became perhaps most well known for Birgisson's signature style of playing guitar with the bow from a cello, accentuated with reverb, creating a sweeping, fluid sound that is unique for an electric guitar.
In early 2001, Sigur Rós set out to record some songs in their newly-completed álafoss swimming pool studio with their friend Steindór Andersen who is a fisherman and chairman of the Icelandic poetry society, Iðunn. Steindór is a chanter/singer of the traditional Icelandic epic poetry form, called "rímur," for which the band named their next EP, Rímur. Only 1000 copies of the EP were printed and sold in the spring tour of 2001.
In 2002, their highly anticipated follow-up album ( ) was released. Upon release, all tracks on the album were untitled, though the band later published song names on their website. Famously, all of the lyrics on ( ) are sung in vonlenska ("Hopelandic"), nonsensical vocalizations that resemble the sound of the Icelandic language. It has also been said that the listener is supposed to interpret their own meanings of the lyrics, which can then be written in the blank pages in the album booklet.
In October of 2003, Sigur Rós joined Radiohead in composing music for Merce Cunningham's dance piece Split Sides; Sigur Rós’s three tracks were named "Ba Ba," "Ti Ki," and "Di Do" and released in March of 2004 on an EP titled Ba Ba Ti Ki Di Do The three songs are separate tracks, but the band intended that all three be played at the same time to form one single song. The band's 1997 debut album Von also finally found a United States and United Kingdom release in October of 2004. Their latest full-length album, Takk... (Thanks...), was released on September 13, 2005, with a free legal download of their first single, "Glósóli," made available on August 15. For North American fans, "Sæglópur" was made available for download on August 16."Hoppípolla," the second official single from Takk..., was released on November 28 alongside a new studio remake of "Hafsól," a song which was previously released on the band's 1997 debut, Von.
Sæglópur EP was released on July 10 in most parts of the world and on August 8 in the United States. Its original release date was May 8, but because of the sudden demand of "Hoppípolla," especially in the UK due to its inclusion on BBC's "Planet Earth," it was pushed back from that date. Sigur Rós recorded three new songs for the EP: "Refur," "Ófriður," and "Kafari."
The Hvarf/Heim double album was released on November 5, 2007. Hvarf contains reworkings of songs dating back to the bands' first album, whereas Heim contains live acoustic versions of more well-known songs. The double album was an accompaniment to the film Heima. Heima is a documentary showing footage of the band's tour of Iceland, including live footage and interviews. The official web site is www.heimafilm.com.
Sigur Rós has sold over 2.5 million albums worldwide.
On June 23, 2008, they released Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust.
The single "Gobbledigook" was available for a free download on their website.
In January 2010, the band began a hiatus, and they are now working on new material. On August 11, 2011, the band's website showed a trailer for a project called Inni. A week later, the project was revealed to be a new live album and DVD, although the release date is currently unknown.
Sigur Rós'' sixth studio album, Valtari, was released on May 29, 2012 on Parlophone.
In January 2013, Kjartan Sveinsson left the band and was not replaced. Sigur Rós's first album following his departure was titled Kveikur and released in June 2013.
In 2014, the band made a guest appearance in the HBO show 'Game of Thrones,' performing The Rains of Castamere in the 2nd episode of the 4th season.
Websites
Both websites include discography, band trivia, song lyrics, and news: http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk and http://www.sigurros.com.
Ny Batteri
Sigur Rós Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Læstur Er Lokaður Inn Í Búri
Dýr Nakinn Ber Á Mig
Og Bankar Upp Á Frelsari
Ótaminn Setur Í Ný Batterí
Og Hleður Á Ný
Og Hleður Á Ný
Og Hleður Á Ný
Við Tætum Tryllt Af Stað
Út Í Óvissuna
Þar Til Að Við Rústum Öllu Og Reisum Aftur
Aftur Á Ný
Aftur Á Ný
Aftur Á Ný
Aftur Á Bak Þar Sem Við Ríðum
Aftur Með Gaddavír
Í Kjaftinum Sem Rífur Upp Gamalt Gróið Sár
Er Orðinn Ryðguð Sál
Rafmagnið Búið
Mig Langar Að Skera
Og Rista Sjálfan Mig Á Hol
En Þori Það Ekki
Frekar Slekk Ég Á Mér
Aleinn Á Ný
The lyrics to Sigur Rós's song Ny Batteri invoke feelings of confinement and hopelessness. The singer is locked in a cage with an animal that constantly attacks him, and he feels trapped and at the mercy of a savior who does not come. Despite his feelings of despair, he holds onto a glimmer of hope and anticipation of a new, better life as he symbolically charges into the unknown with his companions.
The beginning of the song sets up the bleak scene, with the singer trapped in a cage with a violent animal. The animal represents his own inner demons, and he is unable to escape from it. He longs for a savior to come and rescue him, but he remains alone and afraid. The repeated phrase "Og Hleður Á Ný" represents the singer's determination to keep going, to keep pushing forward despite the uncertainty and danger of the future.
The song takes a turn towards hope as the singer and his companions charge forward into the unknown. Though the road is rough and uncharted, they find a way to break free from their confinement and are determined to start anew. The repetition of "Aftur Á Ný" emphasizes this idea of starting over, of moving forward despite the difficulties.
Overall, Ny Batteri is a powerful and emotional song that explores themes of confinement, hopelessness, and determination. The bleakness of the beginning is contrasted with the hope of the ending, creating a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
Line by Line Meaning
Heftur Með Gaddavír Í Kjaftinum Sem Blæðir Mig
With a spike in its mouth that's bleeding me, a heavy weight is on my shoulders.
Læstur Er Lokaður Inn Í Búri
Locked and trapped in a cage, no escape in sight.
Dýr Nakinn Ber Á Mig
Naked, exposed, and vulnerable, I am being carried by an animal.
Og Bankar Upp Á Frelsari
It bangs on the savior, hoping for a way out.
Ótaminn Setur Í Ný Batterí
Fearlessly settles in a new battery, starting fresh.
Og Hleður Á Ný
And charges up again, repeating the process.
Við Tætum Tryllt Af Stað
We set off, enchanted by the unknown.
Út Í Óvissuna
Into uncertainty, the journey continues.
Þar Til Að Við Rústum Öllu Og Reisum Aftur
Until we rust everything, and rise again to start anew.
Aftur Á Ný
Once again, another attempt is made.
Aftur Á Bak Þar Sem Við Ríðum
Back where we started, continuing to ride.
Aftur Með Gaddavír
Once again with the spike, facing the challenge head-on.
Í Kjaftinum Sem Rífur Upp Gamalt Gróið Sár
In its mouth that tears open old, healed wounds.
Er Orðinn Ryðguð Sál
Becomes a red soul, stained by the pain.
Rafmagnið Búið
Electricity depleted, energy drained.
Mig Langar Að Skera
I want to cut myself.
Og Rista Sjálfan Mig Á Hol
And carve myself into the ground.
En Þori Það Ekki
But I don't have the courage to do it.
Frekar Slekk Ég Á Mér
Instead, I extinguish myself.
Aleinn Á Ný
Alone once again, starting fresh.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AGUST AEVAR GUNNARSSON, GEORG HOLM, JON THOR BIRGISSON, KJARTAN SVEINSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind