The ugly American in me wants to think that Sigur Rós (and probably Björk) are the only Icelanders making a decent living after the near total collapse of their nation’s economy. Then again, that’s like saying The Fray (and probably Taylor Swift) are the only Americans making a decent living after the near total collapse of their nation’s economy, which... now that I think about it... might be true... Nah! I’m pretty sure Beyonce’s doing okay, too. No need to worry, America. Crisis averted.

Despite a horrid fiscal situation the world over, the voice of Sigur Rós, Jón Þór Birgisson, ain’t doing too bad for himself. Hot on the heels of Sigur Rós’ fifth record Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (TMT Review), Birgisson will release a new record with colleague Alex Somers on July 20. The pair has collaborated on a number of art exhibitions over the last few years as Riceboy Sleeps, which coincidentally is the name of the album. Here’s one of their art pieces. One motherfuck of a downer, ain’t it? Well, that’s Iceland for you. Or America. Or some other place in the world where lives are being crushed either by senseless monotony or nose-diving bank accounts. Hmm, I guess that’s everywhere. Oh well, fuck the world and fuck all of you!