Rope and Summit EP

Released in May 2010, the Rope and Summit EP served as the definitive re-introduction of Junip after a five-year hiatus following their 2005 debut. While José González had achieved global stardom as a solo artist in the interim, this EP signaled a return to his collaborative roots with childhood friends Elias Araya and Tobias Winterkorn. The record is characterized by its use of vintage synthesizers (notably the Moog) and a 'motorik' drumming style more commonly associated with Neu! or Can than with contemporary folk. This rhythmic foundation allows González's signature nylon-string guitar work to function as a percussive element rather than just a melodic one. The EP includes the track 'Far Away', which gained significant cultural traction after its prominent use in the video game Red Dead Redemption. Sonically, it bridges the gap between the raw sketches of their early work and the polished, expansive sound of their 2010 full-length album, Fields.