Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com
Four years have elapsed since Björk dropped her last album, 2007′s forgettable Volta.
But it’s been even longer since we’ve heard classic Björk. The one who put together crazy genre-hopping classics like 1995′s Post, 1997′s Homogenic and 2001′s Vespertine refreshingly shows up on “Crystalline,” the just-leaked first single from her upcoming album Biophilia.
It’s got everything a classic Björk track needs, including some wigged-out xylophones, some crazy-voweled caterwauling about “inner nebulae” and a Roni Size-channeling bit of jungle breakbeat science to wrap things up. It’s fantastically weird and remarkably thrilling, and contains all of the twitchy glitching Björk has been obsessed with since her landmark 1993 debut.
Give “Crystalline” a spin here:
Biophilia, Björk’s seventh album as a solo artist, is scheduled to drop in September and promises to be a very 21st century release: It’s being referred to as an “app album” and was even recorded partially on an iPad. Each of the album’s tracks will have an accompanying app that will incorporate some sort of visual and interactive component (the rumor is that the song “Virus” will have a gaming component, for instance, while another track’s app is an interactive ebook about the solar system).
The whole thing is being overseen by director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the White Stripes’ “The Hardest Button to Button”), so it’s likely just about everything attached to Biophilia will be simultaneously adorable and unnerving.
What do you think of “Crystalline”? Does it sound like classic Björk? Do you wish she would get back to the strange throat jazz of Medulla? And doesn’t Debut hold up way better than you thought it would nearly 20 years later? Sound off on Ms. Guðmundsdóttir in the comments!
Read More at EW.com:
Legend in her own time: Bjork
The Choice Voices Of Bjork’s ‘Medulla’
Stephen Colbert debuts ‘Charlene II (I’m Over You),’ drops single on iTunes
Amazing. Bjork is back!
I like it. Not her best, but an improvement over her most recent work. I am excited to hear the rest of the album.
She had one of my favorite tracks off of the Sucker Punch soundtrack, “Army of Me”. I’ve never listened to her much outside of that, but I like her style and this song.
very Kate Bush. but also just Bjork-ian to the max. Glad she’s keeping beats in the mix
Oh, I love it! It sounds like classic Bjork which is what I’ve been missing from her music for the past couple of records. The ending is nuts!
Bjork’s best single in a very long time, since at least the songs from 2001′s “Vespertine”. I’m looking forward to hearing “Biophilia” in its entirety.
Forgettable Volta? I LOVED VOLTA, but then Volta was my introduction to Bjork during a night of wicked canality. Another night of wild carnality introduced me to the rest of Bjork. Can’t wait!!!!!
From 1993-2001 (Debut through Vespertine) she was the world’s most brilliant musical artist. It’s been all downhill since then, so I hope she can get back to greatness. This track is kind of in the middle for her, which places it way above most of what is out there today, but I hope for more exhilerating work on her new set.
OMG!! Best thing I’ve heard from Bjork in a decade. Luv Luv Luv the crazy beats at the end.
Bjork’s my favorite.
I hope you mean UNforgettable
Volta forgettable? Now that’s s bit harsh. There were some good tracks on it
But judging by “Crystalline” she’s blow up in a whole new way with the album.
” Roni Size-channeling bit of jungle breakbeat science”?? This is much further than Roni Size ever would have dared to go. More like “Venetian Snares channeling BREAKCORE wizardry.” This urinates on old chap ronald size’s prissy drum&bass from a great height.
Excellent!
No Comments!!!!!!!!!!
I I I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE
Amazing (forgettable) hmmmmm
NEVER