Ágætis byrjun by Sigur Ros (1999)

Even though it is technically Icelandic heroes Sigur Ros' second full length, 'Ágætis byrjun' was such a departure from the ambient soundscapes of their debut - introducing Jónsi Birgisson's cello-bowed guitar work and complex orchestration - that I think of it as the band's true debut. The title also translates to 'a good beginning' in case you needed another reason.

This is an album so unique, it serves as an introduction to the band's own, made up language Vonlenksa. This album might as well have come from another planet entirely and their (rare) vocal-heavy post rock will give you the chills a hundred times before making you float and go full fetal as accurately depicted on the cover art. However many times you've heard this masterpiece, it will never top its peak context - alone, at night, in the snow.

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