Utopia (studio album)
by Björk

From teague 07/13/2020 23:20

Despite being too long and a bit messy, Utopia still manages to be an interesting and thought provoking record.

Only two years after the gut-punch that was Vulnicura, Björk wanted to let us know she was okay by making a “happy album”, and while I don’t know how successful she was, I’m more fascinated by her than ever before. Using samples of birdsong as synths and fleets of flutes as birdsong, she paints a picture of paradise where nature is law and love is hard to avoid, but leaves the window open for the last vestiges of pain.

From VictorVale 04/07/2019 14:20

Lindas melodias e os acordes de flauta. Traz uma paz alienígena, de natureza de algum outro lugar.

Perhaps "Utopia" is slightly overlong, but this marks another successful collaboration between Björk and Arca who both create a gorgeous and entrancing world full of flutes and birdsong for the listener to get completely lost inside. We're far away from the world of pop now, but close your eyes and let yourself be sucked in.

From cestuneblague 12/11/2017 00:15

Big, gushing follow-up to Vulnicura shows the many things to like and really not like about Bjork, all in one convenient package. The highs are often lovely and full of motley, interesting ideas, but too often it can feel indulgent and repetitive for the sake of being indulgent and repetitive, especially in the album's largely concave-d middle section. Two-thirds of a very good album, but despite the colorful, detailed production it still frustrates too much (and not in a good way) to really gel as a whole- though some of Bjork's best work period can be found near the end.

I must admit after half a dozen listens I'm still having problems getting to grips with this. There is hardly anything to latch on to. Every track seems to be at the same pace, same key and Bjork's phrasing is the same on every song. Does she hear anything in her head? Is this all meticulously pre-planned or is she making it up as she goes along? I'm still intrigued but I honestly cannot work out whether this is absolute genius or total garbage. I'm not giving up though. I love challenging records but this is certainly one of, if not the most challenging album I have ever heard.

Another intriguing album from Bjork. Like all her albums it's a challenge and on first listen the songs go in one ear and out the other. Her albums seem to become more anti-pop with each release and this one is no exception. You really have to dig deep to get a hold of these songs and yes, I'm still shovelling away as I write this. Yes, it's a tough listen. I wouldn't have expected anything less or had it any other way. Like all Bjork albums, it's a grower and I expect it to be a while before I fully grasp it, if it all, but it's going to be fun trying. It's hard to make a proper judgement on the album, it being so soon after release, but whether or not it's one of her best records it's still a brave, challenging and passionate album from Bjork. She marches on.

From RoundTheBend 11/25/2017 22:24

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From notapawn88 11/25/2017 13:10

Mabey it’s a grower.