Single Reviews by Mark Bayross and EDF
Review by Mark Bayross
Björk returns with the first single from her forthcoming new album VESPERTINE and, as with much of her last proper album HOMOGENIC, it’s a mesmerising collage of slowly ebbing beats and glacial strings, although this time she is also accompanied by a ghostly choir to chillingly spectacular effect.
The single comes backed byGENEROUS PALMSTROKE (in which a swirling harp envelops some breathy acapella female vocals) and VERANDI (a virtuoso collision of sci-fi effects, martial drumming and orchestral crashes).
Also worth mentioning is the artwork by photographers Ineez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin who also directed the song’s hypnotically disturbing one-shot video (liquids and lines flowing in, out and across Björk’s face). This creative continuity is a talent for which Iceland’s most famous singer has become so well known and bodes well for the forthcoming album.
Her voice may be always remain an acquired taste, but Ms. Gudmunsdóttir never loses the ability to startle.
Review by EDF
The first single from the album VESPERTINE, HIDDEN PLACE will keep Bjork fans happy for a while. Reminiscent of parts of her last solo album, HOMOGENIC, this moves Bjork’s sound further away from what anybody else is doing. Featuring orchestra and choir, this track might not recruit new listeners to her fold. As far as the pop charts go, we’ll have to wait and see.
