Utopiarelease date: Nov. 24, 2017
format: digital (14 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,73]
producer: Björk, Arca
label: One Little Indian - nationality: Iceland
Track highlights: 1. "Arisen My Senses" - 2. "Blissing Me" - 3. "The Gate" - 4. "Utopia" - 7. "Courtship" (live Later) - 9. "Sue Me" - 13 "Saint"
9th studio album by Björk following almost three full years after Vulnicura (Jan. 2015). As was the case for the predecessor, Björk has teamed up with Venezuelan artist Arca - only this time Arca appears to have been granted a more dominating role, partly as co-composer on five compositions (tracks #1, #3, #9, #11, and #14) but also by being credited electronics, synth melodies and beats, while no one else is credited programming, electronics, or 'beats', which were roles Björk almost alone stood for on her 2015 album. Aside from being songwriter and composer on all tracks, and apart for lead vocal, she is (only) credited for playing digital flute - which appears as a minor role as 13 others are credited exactly that instrument - and for arrangements of vocals, flute, choir, and cello, thus placing her more in the role as a musical arranger leaving programming and 'beats' in the hands of Arca. The album is a quite lengthy one with 14 tracks and a total running time going beyond 71 minutes.
Utopia was met by critical acclaim with Spin setting it as number #29 on its list of the 50 best albums of 2017, Pitchfork ranged it number #20 on its year-end-list also counting the 50 best albums, and Slant put it at number #11 of the 25 best albums of the year.
Despite leaving much responsibilty in the hands of Arca, the album still reeks 'Björk' above anything else. There's no questioning that she's in complete control. And as a result, I think it has turned out as her most delightful studio effort since the great Vespertine (2001).
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com, NME, Q Magazine, Rolling Stone 4 / 5, Pitchfork 8,4 / 10, The Guardian 3 / 5 stars ]
