★★★★☆
Singer-songwriter José González’s fifth album, Against the Dying of the Light, marks another chapter in an illustrious decades-long career. The album is a meditation on the times we’re living in. The good, the bad, and the ugly is all laid bare on this record.
Melodic finger-picking supported by gentle harmonies makes ‘A Perfect Storm’ a wistful opener. “A race to lose control,” González croons as the instrumentation eases. “Intentions don’t matter much as the dominoes start to fall.” It’s a meditation on this moment. One that’s filled with anxiety.
Knowing when to cut your losses is a difficult feat, but ‘ For Every Dusk’ dulls the pain. It’s a gentle caress of a song. ‘ Sheet’ delivers an extra hearty dose of realism. It’s tough love with a soft delivery as he croons. “It’s time to move on/Don’t let them dictate a storm.”
An ode to his son, ‘ Pajarito’ is nothing short of sonic sunshine. Skillful strumming and carefree whistling encompass this short and sweet tune. It acts as a peaceful rest stop amidst the heavy themes of internal strife and humanity’s reckoning.
Pajarito Official Music Video
González’s aptitude for social commentary makes him an important fixture of the indie folk genre. As we continue to navigate uncertain times, he asserts himself as a narrator.
“ As a concerned world citizen, I wrote these songs as a reflection of our times. Times of amazing progress, but also worrying backslides to dogmatic tribal ideologies and an extremely uncertain future. These are songs about how we can navigate humanity towards flourishing on an individual and a collective level. They can be listened to just for the sounds, harmonies, and rhythms, but the lyrics are meant to inspire people to engage and take action by collaborating to solve collective problems.”
González’s fascination with philosophy and belief in effective altruism not only shapes his worldview but also informs his songwriting, making Against the Dying of the Light a purely humanist body of work that reflects the truth of this life back to us.
Against the Dying of the Light Tracklist
- A Perfect Storm
- Etyd
- Against The Dying Of The Light
- For Every Dusk
- Sheet
- Pajarito
- Losing Game (Sick)
- Ay Querida
- U/Rawls Slöja
- Gymnasten
- Just A Rock
- You & We
- Joy (Can’t Help But Sing)
José González 2026 Tour Dates
José González’s Against The Dying of The Light Tour will take him around the world starting with the US and ending in Europe.
21 Apr – Boston, MA – Royale
22 Apr – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
23 Apr – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
25 Apr – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
27 Apr – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
28 Apr – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
1 May – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
2 May – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
3 May – San Francisco, CA – Castro Theater
4 May – San Francisco, CA – Bimbo’s 365 Club
5 May – Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether
8 May – Austin, TX – Mohawk (Outdoor)
9 May – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
11 May – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
25 May – Münster, Germany – Theater
26 May – Dresden, Germany – Beatpol
27 May – Hamburg, Germany – Mojo
14 Jun – Stockholm, Sweden – Rosendal Garden Party
3 Jul– Gent, Belgium – Gent Jazz
9 Jul – Huesca, Spain – Pirineos Sur
11 Jul– Feldkirch, Austria – Poolbar
17 Jul– Göteborg, Sweden – Slakthuset Block Party
28 Oct– Barcelona, Spain – Paral-lel 62
29 Oct– Valencia, Spain – La Rambleta
30 Oct– Murcia, Spain – Sala Mamba!
31 Oct– Sevilla, Spain – Cartuja Center Cite
1 Nov – Lisboa, Portugal – Misty Festival @ Coliseu Lisboa
2 Nov – Porto, Portugal – Misty Festival @ Coliseu do Porto
14 Nov – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
15 Nov – Zürich, Switzerland – Volkshaus
17 Nov – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
18 Nov – München, Germany – Muffathalle
19 Nov – Prague, Czech Republic – Archa+
20 Nov – Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle
21 Nov – Frankfurt, Germany – Zoom
23 Nov – Utrecht, Netherlands – Tivoli Ronda
24 Nov – Paris, France – Le Trianon
25 Nov – Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique
26 Nov – London, United Kingdom – Eventim Apollo
Against the Dying of the Light by José González: González's fascination with philosophy, and belief in effective altruism informs his songwriting and results in a purely humanist body of work. – Celine Grant