José González has a new video out for “A Perfect Storm,” and it demands your full attention. The Swedish singer-songwriter and guitarist released the immersive, intentionally confrontational visual today, building on the already acclaimed opening track from his fifth studio album, ‘Against the Dying of the Light’, out now via Mute Records in North America and City Slang everywhere else.
The video uses AI to interrogate AI itself. Directed by Mads Damsbo of Bacon Lab, the clip pulls back its curtain at the end to reveal a soundstage and crew, then cuts to a blooper reel. The twist: none of those people are real. Every face, every emotional moment, every behind-the-scenes beat is synthetically generated, making the point with chilling precision about where this technology already stands. An exclusive YouTube Afterparty followed the premiere, featuring a 15-minute conversation between González and Damsbo on the making of the video and AI’s role at the intersection of art and science.
González is direct about what the song means. “‘A Perfect Storm’ is about how we ourselves are creating the conditions for a more and more turbulent future,” he says, citing AI researcher Stuart Russell’s image of humanity on a bus headed for a cliff, steering wheel missing, driver blindfolded. The track itself earns that weight, with propulsive fingerpicked guitar building to a distorted, thrilling peak beneath González’s intimate vocal. It’s one of the most gripping performances on an already strong album.
‘Against the Dying of the Light’ spans 13 tracks, drawing from game theory, moral philosophy, and the ethics of modern technology. It’s González’s first collection of original songs in more than four years, and a worthy companion to 2021’s ‘Local Valley’. Highlights include the soulful “You & We,” the Spanish-language “Pajarito” (dedicated to his son Mateo), and the dynamic title track. US dates are underway now, with Toronto-based folk-pop musician Abby Sage supporting throughout. Several dates are already sold out.
‘Against the Dying of the Light’ Track Listing:
A Perfect Storm
Etyd
Against The Dying Of The Light
For Every Dusk
Sheet
Pajarito
Losing Game (Sick)
Ay Querida
U/Rawls Slöja
Gymnasten
Just A Rock
You & We
Joy (Can’t Help But Sing)
José González 2026 Tour Dates:
April 21 – Boston, MA – Royale
April 22 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
April 23 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
April 25 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
April 27 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
April 28 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
May 1 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
May 2 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
May 3 – San Francisco, CA – Castro Theater (SOLD OUT)
May 4 – San Francisco, CA – Bimbo’s 365 Club
May 5 – Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether (SOLD OUT)
May 8 – Austin, TX – Mohawk (Outdoor)
May 9 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
May 11 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
May 25 – Münster, Germany – Theater Münster
May 26 – Dresden, Germany – Beatpol
May 27 – Hamburg, Germany – Mojo Club
June 14 – Stockholm, Sweden – Rosendal Garden Party †
July 3 – Gent, Belgium – Gent Jazz †
July 8 – Bilbao, Spain – Museo Guggenheim Bilbao (SOLD OUT)
July 9 – Huesca, Spain – Pirineos Sur †
July 10 – A Coruña, Spain – Palacio de la Opera
July 11 – Feldkirch, Austria – Poolbar
July 17 – Göteborg, Sweden – Slakthuset Block Party †
July 25 – Kapolcs, Hungary – Valley of the Arts †
July 26 – Neston Park, United Kingdom – WOMAD Festival †
July 29 – Madrid, Spain – Teatro Real
August 28 – Rättvik, Sweden – Dalhalla
August 29 – Malmö, Sweden – Folkets Park Malmö
September 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl *
September 23 – Saratoga, CA – Mountain Winery
October 28 – Barcelona, Spain – Paral-lel 62
October 29 – Valencia, Spain – Rambleta
October 30 – Murcia, Spain – Sala Mamba!
October 31 – Sevilla, Spain – Cartuja Center CITE
November 1 – Lisboa, Portugal – Coliseu dos Recreios
November 2 – Porto, Portugal – Ageas Porto Coliseum
November 14 – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
November 15 – Zurich, Switzerland – Volkshaus
November 17 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
November 18 – München, Germany – Mufatthalle
November 19 – Prague, Czech Republic – ARCHA+
November 20 – Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle
November 21 – Frankfurt, Germany – Zoom
November 23 – Utrecht, Netherlands – Tivoli Ronda
November 24 – Paris, France – Le Trianon
November 25 – Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique
November 26 – London, United Kingdom – Eventim Apollo
† Festival Appearance
- w/ Gregory Alan Isakov with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra