Sounds like somebody’s been reading the newspaper. Swedish troubadour José González is back to follow-up the runaway success that his rich ‘n’ mellow baritone, killer Knife cover, and ballsy Sony Bravia ad earned him worldwide — to find that same world is full of repeated mistakes, no sense of compromise, and the titular problems down the line. What happened to the gentle heart-wrung dude you’d describe like a Napa Cab (“delicate,” “subtle,” “autumnal” even)? He’s still in there, classical guitar, Drake-isms, and singular singing in tow; just that, well, now he sees what’s coming, and it ain’t great. Don’t worry though; the tune totally is, and that’s all we really care about, right? Check the track at MySpace.

[Pic from José González @ SPINHouse 6/29/06]

Andreas Nilsson, famous for work with the Knife, will help produce “Down The Line”‘s video, to be based on the cartoon by Jim Woodring, Frank. We’ll get you a peek when it’s ready. And while you’re at MySpace, check out another newbie “Killing For Love,” also from José’s forthcoming second record In Our Nature (out 9/25 on Mute). And there’s a fall US tour, too — dates after the jump.

09/27 – New York, NY @ The Gramercy Theater
09/28 – New York, NY @ The Gramercy Theater
09/29 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg
09/30 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
10/01 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Café
10/02 – Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
10/04 – Chicago, IL @ Park West
10/05 – Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater
10/07 – Seattle, WA @ Great Showbox
10/08 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
10/09 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
10/10 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
10/12 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
10/13 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café