José González: Discover Hidden Indie Folk Gem
Depending on how familiar with Indie Folk music genre you are, José González might be a well known artist to you. But if this name doesn’t ring a bell and you never heard it before, you are in for a treat.
José González is one of the best indie folk musicians out there. He is a popular artist among the fans of the genre for sure. For example he has around 5,000,000+ monthly listeners on Spotify alone. But that popularity goes beyond the indie folk style. His music is so good, so genuine and so immersive, that it reaches even people who typically listen to other genres. No wonder I keep surprising people with his songs all the time.
If you love melodic, soft, well paced music with a great solo acoustic guitar and a calm voice, I’m happy you found this page.
Who is José González? Short Bio
José González, born in 1978 in Gothenburg, Sweden, is an indie folk singer-songwriter with Argentine roots. His family fled Argentina’s political turmoil in the 1970s, eventually settling in Sweden.
José was studying biochemistry for PhD, but he shifted his focus to music, forming the band Junip and pursuing a solo career. His first album “Veneer” was released in 2003. By now he has 4 studio albums. He was also part of various hardcore punk bands before gaining recognition for his unique acoustic sound.
His “Far Away” hit was featured in a super popular video game Red Dead Redemption.
For the latest news about José González you can always check his official website and socials.
Music Style of José González
While José González began his career in the hardcore punk scene, playing with bands like Back Against the Wall and Renascence he later developed his own acoustic style. Now he is known for his calm classical guitar and soft vocals.
He is mostly composing and writing original work, but he also covered various iconic songs. To name a few: “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division, “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen, “Hand on Your Heart” by Kylie Minogue, “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat, “Teardrop” by Massive Attack.
What makes José González so special?
José González mastered a very deliberate minimalist approach to creating music. It’s like he is adding together only the most essential musical elements, disregarding anything that can distract from the very essence of his songs. As a result his music stands out for its unique blend of captivating acoustic guitar and heartfelt vocals. There’s nothing over the top. It’s just a perfect amount of what you want to hear.
His soft voice and beautiful guitar often create a great meditative atmosphere. These soothing vibes invite introspective thoughts and you just end up swimming in your own inner world.
Best Song by José González
Choosing the best song by any great artist is not an easy thing. First of all because they tend to have multiple amazing compositions. And secondly because everyone has their own taste. The same is applied to a great José González.
For me personally his song Slow Moves is very special. I can confidently recommend it to anyone who is not yet familiar with Mr. González.
If you like what you hear, I have created a list of TOP 10 songs by José González. Feel free to enjoy this custom playlist on YT or Spotify.