Swedish singer/songwriter José González is a star in his native land. His album Veneer was released there in the early 2000s and has achieved gold status. Far from the pop album you might expect from such a statement, the album is an entirely acoustic affair that reflects a childhood spent listening to equal parts bossa nova, classical, and post-punk by the likes of Joy Division. Touchstones for González's sound include Nick Drake, Paul Simon, Red House Painters, and Elliott Smith, all artists who are literate, quiet, and melancholy but also create memorable songs as well. Veneer was released in the U.K.