Björk - Biophilia

To review this fully one would have to immerse themselves in not only the already pretty kooky world that is Björk's discography, but the heightened multimedia experience that she's chosen to indulge us with - applications, taglines and her token innovative instrumentations have made this already an incredibly complicated work of art to gauge. A huge fan of her earlier records - Post and Homogenic in particular - I was first introduced to her through the crazy dancing and Aboriginal anti-humanism of Volta's 'Earth Intruders' (ignoring, of course, the obvious hit 'It's Oh So Quiet'). It appears in retrospect the world remains divided on Volta's gamechanging, but for me it was the first moment where I opened myself to music that was neither pop nor chart-rock. 'Declare Independence' particularly shook my perception of music and its power.

None have been as scientifically orchestrated as Biophilia, though, surely. Each track has a backstory, a correlation between the instrumentation and a piece of natural phenomena that all builds to... well to what exactly? Even in a world where Brian Cox is embraced by all, artistry is rarely approached in a formulaic manner. I'm slightly bewildered, but then most of the star's onlookers are perpetually so.


We begin with a harp-loop that sublimely backs Björk's lyrical themes of rebirth and experiencing the worst to start afresh - 'Moon' quietly muses "As if the healthiest past-time is being in life-threatening circumstances", immediately refreshing Björk's sense of vitality. Few would have expected a tesla coil to be employed - but 'Thunderbolt' does just that, constantly at risk of launching into a ferocious storm, but sadly the "miracles" she "craves" are spared from a track that wouldn't sound too out of place on a SNES horror video game. First single 'Crystalline' then quickly makes up for any musical plunders with a fierce hook and breakdown that is quite at odds with the structural and organic themes behind the lyrics.

'Cosmogony' is described as an embodiment of the philosophical idea musica universalis, the idea that the entire universe is in harmony with itself, and that the smallest drops at one corner can resonate everywhere. A sombre choir here and a distant horn there give it a suitably atmospheric bliss, and it serves as the album's adhesive. 'Dark Matter' is a slight disappointment and thematic oddball (we're simply given the explanation of 'musical scales') that lingers a little too long for even the shortest track of the record. Similarly, 'Hollow' is more suggestive than evocative, but manages to thrust ominosity at you with its unusual rhythms and gothic strings.

There's simplicity though behind tracks like 'Virus' that make the whole record a little less challenging to access, and it's immediately gratifying. Environmentalism and organicism are again touched upon in 'Sacrifice': "Initiate a touch before it's too late, Say the words to her that will make her shine" is implored. The music lilts uneasily between frenetic dubstep and minimalist echoes - similarly on the phenomenal 'Mutual Core' with its blisteringly exciting crescendos that fuse beautifully inbetween some haunting verses. Final track 'Solstice' muses over delicate harp-notes "you, yourself, you are a light-bearer, a light-bearer receiving radiance from others".


She continues to fascinate, she continues to bewilder and she continues to innovate. There are, sadly, few moments of musical excellence and the songs do feel like blueprints for much grander realisations of themselves, but the sheer magnanimity of the conceptualisation and its execution does not deserve just a fleeting glimpse. To look at music through Björk's eyes is to look at the world, and even beyond, and it's a gift that few musicians are willing to, or able to, adventure. Whether you greet this as an unfair advantage, or maybe even a little bit smoke-and-mirrors, is up to you, but to go through music looking for the next tune to hum... well you might as well work at Heart FM.

Rating: 8/10
Highlights: Cosmogony, Mutual Core, Virus, Hollow, Crystalline
Avoid: n/a

Artwork Watch: Stellar, if you'll forgive the pun.