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Oct 28, 2014 José González By Mike Hilleary

Following two albums with his side-band Junip and contributing heavily to the soundtrack of Ben Stiller’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, José González has announced the upcoming release of his first solo album since 2007’s In Our Nature. Titled Vestiges & Claws the new LP is due early next year on Feb. 17 via Mute.

Producing the album himself in his home kitchen as well as Svenska Grammofonstudion, both in Gothenburg, Sweden, González says in a press release, “It was no doubt a conscious decision to work without a producer. I didn’t want this to be too polished, or too ‘in your face.’ Most of all, it’s fun to be in complete control of the artistic aspect. Also, I was inspired by and picked up a lot of tricks from the producers I have worked with in the past. I like to use distortion and let things be a little overdriven, which gives things a warmer sound. Sometimes people complain that my music is too muddled, but I really do not want a modern crisp sound. I’d much rather aim somewhere between Shuggie Otis and Simon & Garfunkel.”

González also notes the record is a departure from his usual minimalst sound. “I soon realized that most of the songs turned out better with added guitars and a more beat-like percussion, and with more backing vocals,” he says.

Scroll down below to view the album’s tracklist, as well as trailer.