Junip’s Fields was easily one of my favorite albums of 2010. The Swedish band, fronted by the awesome José González, produce music that is truly unique. It’s a goofy blend of acoustic-driven folk with electronic flourishes. It is all highlighted by the inimitable vocal delivery of González. Needless to say, I was excited when I heard they were going to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Amidst all the other shit you might encounter on the evening airwaves, Junip delivered an understated (and seated!) performance that showcases the band’s unique sound and aesthetic. Enjoy!

This is one of those songs where I heard the cover first, and because of that, I like the cover better than the original.  Of course, that’s mostly attributed to the stark contrast between The Knife’s Swedish-electro and Jose Gonzalez’s easy acoustic.  After becoming so fond of the cover, I find The Knife’s version almost unlistenable – even today.

But, if the measure of a songwriter is in what other artists can do with their songs, then it may just be that The Knife are genius and I’m missing the point completely, which – when it comes to me – is almost always a possibility.

Jose Gonzalez – Heartbeats (The Knife cover) (mp3) from Veneer