José González: 2026

This  FUV Live session is also available as a podcast, "FUV Live Sessions." We're elevating WFUV's long history of live sessions and interviews via a podcast that you can find on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Podcasts. New episodes drop every Monday.

Swedish-Argentinian singer-songwriter and guitarist José González has recently released his fifth album, Against the Dying of the Light, his first collection of original songs in more than four years. 

The record is both gentle and profound — as well as stirring and soothing in equal measure — and it showcases González's remarkable gift for creating mesmerizing, circular guitar rhythms. 

Singing in Swedish, Spanish, and English, González crafts songs that meditate on preserving and celebrating the light of humanity. A deeply thoughtful artist, he brings a nuanced perspective to the conversation around artificial intelligence and technology. 

In our discussion, González reflected on how art and technology can coexist, and shared the writers and intellectuals whose ideas have shaped his worldview. His warmth, curiosity, and quiet wisdom is evident not only in this beautiful album but throughout our conversation. 

His live solo performance of three songs — "Etyd." "Against the Dying of the Light," and "Joy (Can't Help But Sing)"  — were a true gift as well, offering an intimate reminder of the power of music to connect us.

[Recorded: 4/24/26. Engineered by Jim O'Hara, Erin Merriman and Thomas Lapus. Produced by Meghan Suma. Videographers: Bella Lipayon, Olivia Iannaccone, Therese Burgo, and Kellie McGuinness.]