Bjork Returns to Form with Volta
After a few years away, Bjork delivers an album that fans and critics adore. HITCitizen Lucho Payne reviews.
Bjork, the quirky Icelandic pop-sprite, has returned after three years of silence with a new album, Volta, and a massive 18-month world tour to promote it. It has 10 new tracks and features a huge number of collaborators, most notably Timbaland, widely respected R&B/hip-hop producer, and Antony Hegarty from the award-winning Antony and the Johnsons.
It's immediately clear that Bjork - after a few less than exciting releases, has pulled out the stops for this album. All aspects of the wonderful wacky world of Bjork can be found here, and in huge abundance. "Wanderlust" is one of the standout tracks with heavy electro-beats and horn-based accompaniment providing a sumptuous platform for rich multi-layered vocals. "Earth Intruders" (the first single from the album) and "Declare Independence" are the other two tracks that immediately jump out.
Timbaland co-produces three tracks ("Earth Intruders", "Hope" and "Innocence") and while the Timbaland influence is clear, there is no doubt these are Bjork tracks. Antony Hegarty duets with Bjork on two tracks: "The Dull Flame of Desire" and "My Juvenile".
Volta grows on you. One or two listens will not do justice to the wealth of musical ideas on this album. The album has received countless rapturous reviews from the music press, and Bjork fans will love it too. Bjork sceptics, however, will probably not be convinced and will argue that it's just more of the same old Bjorky stuff we've all heard before. Stronger hooks and catchier choruses would no doubt be required (something you could hum while browsing a Reykjavik travel guide). But for the initiated, Volta will be seen as a fabulous and welcome return to form.
It's immediately clear that Bjork - after a few less than exciting releases, has pulled out the stops for this album. All aspects of the wonderful wacky world of Bjork can be found here, and in huge abundance. "Wanderlust" is one of the standout tracks with heavy electro-beats and horn-based accompaniment providing a sumptuous platform for rich multi-layered vocals. "Earth Intruders" (the first single from the album) and "Declare Independence" are the other two tracks that immediately jump out.
Timbaland co-produces three tracks ("Earth Intruders", "Hope" and "Innocence") and while the Timbaland influence is clear, there is no doubt these are Bjork tracks. Antony Hegarty duets with Bjork on two tracks: "The Dull Flame of Desire" and "My Juvenile".
Volta grows on you. One or two listens will not do justice to the wealth of musical ideas on this album. The album has received countless rapturous reviews from the music press, and Bjork fans will love it too. Bjork sceptics, however, will probably not be convinced and will argue that it's just more of the same old Bjorky stuff we've all heard before. Stronger hooks and catchier choruses would no doubt be required (something you could hum while browsing a Reykjavik travel guide). But for the initiated, Volta will be seen as a fabulous and welcome return to form.
Here Is The Writer : Lucho Payne
Lucho Payne works at UBS as an IT Consultant, and has spent the last eight years working in banking and investment management in The City. He regularly attends gigs and concerts, and his favourite venues are the Astoria, Borderline and the 100 Club. He occasionally plays guitar at various venues around town as one half of the acoustic duo "Fagan and Payne".
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