José González

The Profile

José González is a Swedish singer-songwriter and guitarist from Gothenburg, born to Argentine parents. Known for intimate nylon-string fingerpicking and hushed vocals, he broke through with his cover of The Knife’s “Heartbeats” (featured in a Sony Bravia advert). His acclaimed albums include Veneer, In Our Nature, Vestiges & Claws, and Local Valley; he also co-founded the band Junip.

Reviews highlight sparse voice-and-guitar arrangements, Latin-tinged rhythms, and melancholic lyrics; comparisons to Nick Drake; influences including Joy Division and João Gilberto; notable covers include “Heartbeats” and Massive Attack’s “Teardrop.”

Reviews praise González’s minimalist voice-and-nylon-string approach, with intimate fingerpicking and hushed delivery. Veneer is hailed as nearly flawless, steeped in melancholy and Latin-inflected rhythms. In Our Nature continues the sparse, emotive palette, highlighted by the Massive Attack “Teardrop” cover. Comparisons to Nick Drake abound, alongside nods to Joy Division and João Gilberto.