Label: One Little Indian
Release Date: 07/05/07
Rating:
A new Björk release is always eagerly anticipated but rarely predictable. Rather than pushing boundaries she creates her own and, whilst observing trends, she embraces them selectively, moulding them with her own unique and quirky creativity to produce music that actually defines what is the cutting edge. Thankfully 'Volta' is no exception.
'Earth Intruders' makes it clear that Björk has discarded any thoughts of continuing the voice-only orchestrations of 2004’s critically acclaimed 'Medúlla'. It begins in ominous fashion – a horde of marching footsteps squelching across a muddy plane, a pulsating tribal rhythm, eerie synths and Björk's unmistakable and distorted voice. A plinking, child-like melody is then thrown in, a juxtaposition that creates a nursery school industrial mood, that could have been created had Throbbing Gristle teamed up with múm.
The track ends with a chorus of ship horns straining to avoid each other in a thick fog. This begins a loose thread that continues throughout the album - the sense that we are on a mystery cruise, which leads neatly to 'Wanderlust', an early contender for strongest track. Once quoted as saying that 'everything should be done with passion', Björk remains emphatically true to her word here, singing lustily of her yearning to leave the City and discover the great unknown, while warped electronic polyrhythms contrast nicely with the down-tempo brass orchestration.
The brass section remains in place for 'The Dull Flame of Desire', this time providing a sombre canvas for a duet that sees the first of two appearances by Antony Hegarty (minus The Johnsons). Owners of two of the most remarkable voices in modern music, Björk and Antony take turns to recite lyrics translated from a Russian love poem, with each vying for ultimate control of the song whilst both delivering predictably impassioned and soaring performances.
'Innocence' is the weakest track here and recalls the dance-friendly Björk of the mid 1990s, sounding like 'Big Time Sensuality' set to an arcade fighting game – but the rhythmic punches and grunts soon begin to grate. The oriental-tinged 'I See Who You Are' revisits the celestial tones of 2001's 'Vespertine' and has the singer leading us through the paddy fields with a passionate and lusty lullaby ringing in our ears.
The ships come out of the fog for 'Vertebrae By Vertebrae; stabs of brass providing suspense, reversed beats tip-toeing behind and Björk's vocal reaching new gut-busting heights. The brass section again provide a sombre mood for 'Pneumonia', and at this point the album has the feel of a West End musical, with the song's structure ebbing as if providing the backdrop to an unseen drama, with the singer playing the part of tormented heroine.
Indian percussion and an electronic pulse provide the down-tempo rhythmic backdrop for 'Hope'; a poignant song that addresses the threat of terrorism with the overriding message that love will conquer all, which musically marks a return to the calmness of rural China. The ship's horn then signals our departure to the more treacherous musical waters of 'Declare Independence'. A warbling, menacing bassline is joined by crashing cymbals and a distorted kick drum that create a powerful White Stripes-go-techno thrash backing to Björk's repeated orders to "raise your flag!"
For final track 'My Juvenile', Björk is rejoined by Antony and we once again make a return to the Far East, with gently plucked oriental strings dancing playfully around the pairs' words of mutual love, ending an album that began full of energy on a placid but sublime note.
'Volta' marks an emphatic continuation of form for Björk and is worthy of becoming her most succesful album to date, as it's arguably as strong as anything she's released previously. The ten songs form a voyage that takes in enclaves that are both deeply personal and politically astute and that are produced with the high standard of creativity and innovation that we've come to expect. This is a work that ensures that Björk will remain in her own unique and stellar orbit, while we wait patiently for the next visit.
Richard Stokoe
Bjork Official Site
Bjork Myspace
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