Modern Kosmology

Arguably the hardest album I have had to rank so far and the first one to really make me question why exactly it was included on this list. I was intrigued at first due to it being the newest album I have listened to so far as well as it being from an artist I have never heard of. I can genuinely say that I liked this album (didn't necessarily love it), but after giving it some more thought, I was left baffled as to its placement in the 1001 Albums You Should Hear Before You Die. This sounds harsh, but I didn't feel it did anything unique or overly interesting for an album that came out in 2017. Everything that I enjoyed has already done before, and I didn't find Jane to have a particularly standout voice. I ended up looking into this one a bit more after seeing that she has less than 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and this album does not even have a Wikipedia page (!). This isn't a mark of its quality at all as it is a fine album, but all of this really made me question why such a niche artist was selected as "required before you die" listening. I can only think of personal preference being a reason for its placement (maybe the author really likes this artist?). While I did like this one more than other albums I feel have a legitimate reason for being on this list, I do not feel the need to come back to it and do not understand why it was included over so many other amazing albums. 2.5/5.

We listened to it. It was music.

Very much my jam! Super soft dreamy vocals, driving krautrocky motorik rhythms, luscious indie pop melodies... Fave track - "H>A>K", but "Did You See Butterfiles", "Slow Motion", "The Architect", and "I Wish" could all take the top spot too on a different listen!

I like it. It's meditative and trance-y and somewhere between indie rock and 70s psychedelia and bedroom pop. If I listen to it again, it might be a five. The cool thing is, I could see myself listening to it closely or just having it on in the background and liking it both ways.

Just another mediocre wispy female vocal. Not much to get excited about.

It's not too often, but my favorite thing in this project when an album assignment goes from, "oh, who the hell is this now?" to "Ah, this was JUST what I needed to hear today!" I don't even know where to begin to talk about the album, it has some sort of timeless (well, within the last half century) electronica to it, but also lovely melodies and such an engaging voice. I never got tired of listening to it. Wonderful!

Awesome record. Thanks to this I met Jane Weaver

I can't completely explain it but I love this album. I love her voice and vocal variety. I love the drums and precussion. I love the ambient sounds layered over the synthesizers and other instruments. There's a repetitious vibe that makes it stick but so many other disconnected things happening that it keeps my interest (i.e. singing birds, violins, syncopated shaker, etc.) I'm glad I crossed paths with this album.

Love her moody and melodic songs. The Lightning Back is my favourite track 10/10 would listen cover to cover again

This record couldn’t be more up my alley: Krautrock and Velvet Underground influence, motorik beats, hefty doses of analog synths *and* a guest appearance from Malcom Mooney? While Stereolab’s influence is apparent, there’s enough individuality and interesting ideas to keep it from feeling like a mere rehash.

Strong 4 to Light 5. I enjoyed: some of the more synth-heavy parts and the blending of folk and electronic, and when it gets more scattered. Finished on a strong note with the last 2 songs. I disliked: VOCALS GOD THEY ARE SO MEDIOCRE! Pretty weak songwriting at times so much meandering. Felt like a slog at a lot of points. It all felt so artistically safe, and unoriginal. Felt dan deaconish and was too Stereolab Something that wine moms call experimental. This is just wine mom music for the most part. I hope the next album is better.

This was a very pleasant listen, and something totally new to me. On the first listen, I thought it was good...but I warmed up to it even more on the second.

bit of a manc legend is Jane. this album is probably her best offering in about 20 years of releasing music and its genuinely good. i'd like to think if the list has dipped its toes into the modern psych scene that it might hit us with one of the behemoths from the scene like BJM or King gizz but something tells me this will be it.

Wow.... I fucking love this..

the transitionssssssssss. everything is so interesting. Did you see butterflies is phenomenal. Love the jazz that happens in the title track.

Really loved this! Found a new artist to dig into.

really enjoyed this and will listen more

finally MODERN, not too shabby

Almost dreamy-sort of music. Her voice is fantastic.

Seems to not belong here. It's not bad, but I don't seem to see any significance to it

I don't think this one is super noteworthy or stands out to me. It's not bad but it won't leave a lasting impression on me. it seems like a strange inclusion on this list.

Not impressed at all. Why would I NEED to hear this?

I had never heard of Jane Weaver previously. The album has a psychedelic, an electronic and pop feeI. There is not many recent albums that are psychedelic and electronic. Overall it is uninspiring and leaves really no impression. I have no need to ever listen to it again.

This feels far too niche to be on the 1001 albums you must listen to before you die. It’s not bad, but it certainly isn’t amazing. There are a few good tracks, but it’s subpar all in all.

Why this album is on this list? Why?

Loved it, great discovery. If you like this, try Gwenno (Welsh language) or Cate LeBon.

Brilliant

Dreamy whispy vocals overlaying tasty electronic beats - great find!!

I really liked this whole album; the compositions, beats, lyrics, vocals...the whole thing was just cohesive and enticing. Lots of beauty here.

i hadn’t even heard of jane weaver and i have a feeling this is my new obsession

A lovely blend of psychedelic/folk/dream pop within a pulsing electronic framework that is reminiscent of Portishead's Third LP. Spotify has been teasing me with a few Jane Weaver songs over the last few years and, while they usually ended up on my "liked" list, I didn't bother exploring the LPs. My bad. She hits it out of the park with the title track, "Did you see butterflies " and "Architect" and a number of other tracks are strong. At times the synths sound ancient and to build on that she brings in an ancient CAN vocalist for one song. Jane Weaver was nearly 50 when this was released and had been performing for 25 years, yet she still innovates & sounds fresh (to my old ears anyway).

One of those albums you really need to hear through a good pair of headphones. Her vocals have a crystalline quality and give the impression of someone singing in a cathedral. This is over music that tends to float between the motorik realms of Cluster or Garmonia and the more pop oriented Curve and Stereolab. A very happy discovery.

I’ve never heard of Jane Weaver before but the music gives me a Stereolab vibe, a group I really love. There are vocal journeys at times evocative of Kate Bush. The songs are tightly crafted - quite a feat for such open, ethereal soundscapes. I absolutely love this - what a phenomenal album!

How have I never heard of Jane Weaver? 3 tracks in, this is RIGHT up my alley. It appears as though Modern Kosmology isn't even one of her bigger releases, it gets only a sentence in her (admittedly sparse) wiki bio. I'll definitely take a deeper dive.

I’ve never heard of this album or Jane Weaver. After listening to it, I want to delve more into her discography. I like the electronic dreamy vibe. I like the guitar drum bass. Her voice is great. This album pleasantly surprised me.

10/10 I don’t even know what to say it’s just fun, weird alternative music what’s not to love?

Excellent album!

I consider myself lucky for receiving this recommendation today. I didn’t have any idea of who Jane Weaver was… but her work enlightened my mood from second one. Modern Kosmology is a truly gem. I loved Jane voice harmonies and delivery. The rhythm section was exquisite, and what to say about the sequencing? To me, Jane is the perfect blending between Blonde Redhead and Janelle Monae. Fantastic!

Surprised I have never heard of her. Really amazing psychedelic rock/pop/alternative. Gives me tame impala vibes. Very well put together album with no fat. Every song fits the theme. Hypnotic vocals that sound like she is in a glass bottle, trance instrumentals, haunting features.

Digging the vocals and the synths. Very good music to get lost in. Very Stereolab-y. Pretty harmonies and backing vocals.

Excellent album. Would definitely re listen and look into more of her work.

Lots of good driving beats and atmospheric sounds.

Spacey and ethereal very nice

This sounds timeless and almost mystical. It puts you in a trance. I like it, it's a hidden gem.

Excellent album listen. Notes of Kraftwerk. Wonderful flow. Such a pleasant find.

Wow, this album picked me up by the ears and knocked me around on a fun, wild, whimsical adventure. Hadn't heard much of Jane Weaver, but what a find!

I absolutely love it, I never heard anything of this style before.

Definitely something I will listen to again. She’s got a beautiful voice, you can have this in the background but also really focus on it. It can put you in a trance but not to sleep or make you drowsy. A nice surprise

yeah this album was WHACK. it was so dope. it reminded me of synth pop acts like US girls or the knife. i listened to this album like 7 times. i just loved it.

This album is REALLY good. I hadn't heard of Jane Weaver before and I'm surprised she isn't more known. This album is such a groove. 100% relistening. Favorite Tracks: Did You See Butterflies? and The Architect

We're on our way to dust. 🤘😔

I have a soft spot for Ethereal femme voices like this one, and the production felt post-apocalyptic in a great way.

Another new one for me, although when I saw the album art I would have sworn I’d heard it before. It doesn’t ring a bell though. On first listen I dig it. I really like the middle of the album with Loops in the Secret Society and especially The Architect. The latter reminds me a lot of a really great song by the band Spoon, “Outlier”. I think it’s cool that the 1001 Albums list contains a few obscure and scantly listened to artists and albums (Jane had 57K monthly listens at the time of this review). I do wonder about the criteria for inclusion and whether a larger social impact has any weight in including an album - at that listen rate I’d imagine few people participating in this have heard of her. It is a neat way for artists to get some exposure and recognition. I gave it a second and third spin and I really like the album. It’s accessible on first listen but also a grower and an excellent melting pot of influences.

Difficult to pin down a review for this one. Twinkly, ethereal, shallow… I feel nothing.

Nr. 178/1001 H>A>K 3/5 Did You See Butterflies? 4/5 Modern Kosmology 4/5 Slow Motion 5/5 Loops in the Secret Society 3/5 The Architect 3/5 The Lightning Back 3/5 Valley 4/5 Ravenspoint 2/5 I Wish 3/5 Average: 3,4 Etheral and mystical sounding pop album. Had some cool songs in the first half, fell a bit off towards the second half. Still an interesting listen.

Nothing about this strikes me as radically original, but I enjoy it. Good songwriting and sense of harmony. I got bored though.

I liked some of the songs on here. It was more to my younger taste than my current taste. But I’m glad to have discovered this artist and this album. I’d never heard of either before.

Never heard of this before. I dig its folky and easy-going charm. Has a bit of an ethereal, spaced-out mood throughout. Nice one to drift off and chill out to.

It seems like psychedelic rock is always lauded on release post 2000s. Yet not many stand the test of time. Nothing of interest here.

I am so confused as to why this is on the list. 4/10

I don’t get the inclusion on the list here. Very derivative and not really unique in any way. Compared to others on this list I’d say this has gotta be in the bottom .1%. Confused.

The most generic indie pop I’ve ever heard. Who in their right mind puts this on the list?

I’ve never heard of this person before and I REALLY LOVED THIS!! Added to my library. Great mix of acoustic and electronics in this.

Finally, something brilliant.

How have I not heard of Jane Weaver?! How is she not more popular?! This is such a solid album from beginning to end. Sounds like one thing and was a great listen.

Like pure, ice cold water for my soul today. A marvelous blend of synths, deep rythmns, modern rock influence and pure artistic creativity. Mellow and clear vocals allow all elements of the music to fall into place and build this almost expansive universe of music. There is practically no empty space on this album. Even the down tempo sections groove and move the soul. I liken this album to mid era pink floyd. Genre blending mastery prior to their anthemic politically conscious music. Just plain good music, with production mastery. And pink was analog, this is digitized.

This is excellent! I've not heard of her, initially I was thinking of Jackie Weaver of the Handforth parish council, I'm so glad it wasn't her. It reminded me of Lush/ Stereolab/ Velvet Underground all mixed together in a minimalist droning way. There wasn't a bad track on this and I shall have a listen to her back catalogue.

This album was a pleasant surprise. Never heard of Jane Weaver before but the motorik beats pulled me in. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Chill pero buen ritmo. Un poco jazzero y experimental.

Hoy toca artista desconocida por completo. Suena post-punk, etéreo, como música para viajar, con una base indie/kraut hermosa. Me recuerda a bandas contemporáneas como Blonde Redhead o Beach House pero con tintes un poco más introspectivos. Una muy linda sorpresa en un septiembre particular, en un país particular, en un mundo particular.

What a great fkn discovery! Great instrumentation, great vocals, amazing vibes.

great discovery! will be listening to it more

I'm not sure why this is on the list, but I'm enjoying it. The drumming is fantastic, the combination of krautrock, jazz, space rock, and synth pop is hitting the spot for me. The title track's 6/4 groove really cinched it for me. I will definitely come back to listen to this and maybe explore the rest of her catalog.

Never heard of her, and tbh I thought it was a man at first idk why. Genre is weird here, especially when Spotify says this is krautrock and art pop, those are good ones so I think this is gonna be good. Also 2017 is quite new and it's rare that 21 century is here, so happy about that. Unless it's overly slow and boring I think I'll enjoy this, no high expectations, but I really hope it won't be too bad. First song, oh what an intro-of-an-album start. THIS IS DEFINITELY ELECTRONIC YOU KIDDIN?! It's giving Lana plus Björk and I loooove them both. Oh god it feels like I'm travelling in space. Her voice is so transcending. Is this the chorus, cause it's veeery good. I can't keep up with writing, it's toooo gooood. The experimental sounds are such a treat too, sounds like UFOs tbh. This is sonically and lyrically equally good. It's close to the end and there's this progressive instrumental break and I love it, god I love it. It's becoming rocky, but also not. This was an outro basically, loooooved this, better keep up the work. Ooh god it transitioned into the Second song, bird noises nothing special for now. AAAAH THAT BEAT DROP, DEFINITELY SPECIAL NOW. Oooh now rock slowly joins in, this is heaven wow. Her voice is angelic. The production this good is a rare treasure, I am extremely impressed. Is this chorus, because she's singing differently and there's echoes in my right ear. Makes me feel like I'm floating in an endless space. This is some underrated shit I usually am looking for. What was that ending, spooked me a little, in a good way. Third song, soft rock start. Electronica joined, and now her amazing voice. Oooh this one has an album name. This must be the chorus and I love it a lot the sonical and lyrical interaction is the best part in it, also it's progressing sonically. She doesn't exactly have vocals, but not that it makes anything worse. This is like if Florence Welch had a soft voice instead of a powerful one. This is definitely permanent wave too(chorus might say otherwise tho), the best is quite mostly same, but not in a bad way. She's vocalising after the chorus and it is extremely good to hear her like that. It's ending so it's kind of fading away. A long song, but didn't even notice that. 4th song, fully different start, it's retro I think. Has a melancholic vibe to it. The almost fast talking is Del Rey all the way. OOOH THE SONICAL PART IMPROVED IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE, dunno how to explain that, GOOOOSH IT HAPPENED AGAIN, ANOTHER INSTRUMENT ADDED. Back to level one now. This is such an adventure in both sonical and lyrical delivery way. About that last part, the way she sings it's giving Mitski too. The magical instrument came in again. The overall vibe is very spacey. Ending is quite eerie, giving Daughter, but also not. 5th song, this is totally rock, the guitar part especially. Her way of singing always opposes her sonical delivery in a good way and I love it. This is what I mean by a good catchy sad song, not some basic shit I usually have to listen to here, this is not a grower, not the one that needs special ears to like it, it's such generally and in every other way good and satisfying to listen to, wish more artists had songs with the same description. This one's very permanent wave, so nothing dramatically changed, but she is singing in a different way rn, kind of fast I'd say. It's Hendrix style rock rn(not exactly tho). Also definitely a headphones song, because sounds are divided into each ear. Endings are always different with this girl. 6th song, it's giving that there's gonna be a good beat drop at some point. I WAS FUCKING RIGHT OOOO I LOVE THIS ALREADY. What instrument am I hearing rn, it's too good. She's more lively here too. The production is absolutely magnificent on each song, can't describe how good they sound, which will become better and better with each listen I'm sure. This magical instrument I can't name is the best part in the song. I refused to write any more here, just enjoyed the overall goodness of it. AAAH AT THE END SHE ENHANCED HER VOICE AND SANG THE CHORUS IN THE BEST WAY AND RIGHT AWAY TRANSITIONED INTO THE 7th song, beat almost instantly started. This is some Lana plus Mitski voice again. The beat is again retro and melancholic. Oh she's vocalising quite differently, and the beat is getting progressive. Oh beat is blurred in the background and smth is playing in my right ear, back to normal quite quickly. Everything stopped for some time and now only beat is playing, god I love this woman already. 8th song, computery sounds at first, now it's dramatic orchestra and birds. Fully changed and it's soft rock now I suppose. There's a wind whistling sound in my left ear(sounds like it at least). One of the saddest lyrical delivery she has done here. The beat is quite basic, I mean it's used in many other songs too, OH BUT NOT THIS GUITAR IN MY RIGHT EAR. I'm happy every song doesn't sound like this here, cuz this one's kinda empty and not full of sounds. There's a violin now playing in the background with that guitar on the right, now it's full. Ending was with bass only also with some futuristic sounds. 9th song, first time someone is talking and it's a man. She's echoing on what the man said. Her voice is distinct in a weird way. Not a clear word I've heard for now. She's echoing herself now, the way it's delivered it's almost scary. There's a guitar on the right veeery lightly tho. Oh the man is talking again, he said the same thing, tho I love the way he says it. There's that instrument playing you blow in and it makes a soujd(idk how I forgot the name), but there are also violins around. It's quietly chaotic and I love that. He saying something different and it's cunty in a good way. I heard drums at some point, weiiird. Ooh ending basically transitioned into the 10th song, start slowly turned into a catchy guitar/bass beat. There's a different sound on the right. Her vocals are low-key different. Ooooooo the chorus is really good, sonically progressing and she vocals in a good way. Verses usually aren't catchy at the first listen, so can't really judge them as good as choruses, but Jane does them both impressively well. The beat is fast paced and it must have a name because I've heard it before. Weird sound is increasing its sound. A bass randomly appeared, it's kind of progressing, but also fading away, the weird sound went away and only bass left and now that one is gone too, fully Jane-style ending, especially of an album. Instantly 5 stars I don't give a damn. This exceeded my expectations in the best way possible. This was one of the best albums I've ever listened to, especially between the sad ones. It contains many sounds that are thrilling and makes me feel like I'm floating (ik I said that already), plus the production and her voice combined is the best thing she could ever done. I wholeheartedly want another album of her here, or I'll definitely try. Songs were long, but album should have been too. No regrets, and I dunno why some people don't like it, haven't deepdived that. Whatever this genre is I love everything about it and I think I've found another favourite artist of mine.

blown away by this one, there's a lot of really cool sonic ideas here

Really enjoyed it. Some krautrock elements, it was groovy! It gets a 5 because my recent my recent ones have been so bad

I think people are hating on this unfairly. Yes it's similar to lots of other things, but, it's the only thing I've heard recently that's doing this. It was a great listening experience and the vocals are not as bad as people say.

What a cool retro 80's sound. I loved this. Every track was a great listen, with great production quality and really cool sounding synths and beats. The singing was moody and atmospheric and the vibe was totally rad. One track sounded almost exactly like The Weeknd's Blinding Lights -- so much so that I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Weaver sued Mr. Weeknd for infringement. Five stars.

I really liked this. Hadn't heard of this artist prior to listening. The vocals were gorgeous, the music was well written, well produced , resulting in a sound I got into from the off. Brilliant

What a great surprise this album is. It feels like something from the 80s somehow. H>A>K made me check the date, though. An interesting listen for a way too hot day so I was happy to stay in one spot in front of the fan and take it in :)

Not heard this before. Retro electronic masterpiece. A little dated sound synths but quite good.

Incredible.

Really enjoyed this.

Excuse me waiter I'd like ten more

Disco necesario, muy en mi línea de la música que suelo escuchar. Momentos de homenaje a Vangelis. LOVE.

Very cool electronic music with an alternative/proggy feel, music that makes you feel like you're travelling through dimensions, it's a fun listening experience that you can contemplate the complexities of life and the universe, can be pretty repetitive to many listeners, but this felt hypnotic to me, excellent album

Started off strong and felt really inspired/creative. I loved the "spectral" and 80s synth sound but also, with a contemporary vision. I genuinely feel like I can tackle any creative task when listening to this music. This is the first 5/5 on this list!

前奏...的重複令人煩躁

Loved it! Haunting vocals, good beats, and that synth sound! Yes!

First song (H>A>K) is A+. The drums similar to Hallogallo - Neu! Reminds me of Cate Le Bon, U.S. Girls, Weyes Blood. Great album to cruise around to.

Wonderful!

Rock peppered indie album from 2017? My God this blew me away!

Where the heck has this been all my life?! I read something online recently that led me to believe I'd probably enjoy this album, and I was right. This reminds me a lot of Django Django but with a frontwoman instead instead. I can't wait to explore the rest of her discography.

Piolón. Medio juanamolinero. Algunos temas son como si el santi motorizado, pasado de malbec, se le lanzara a la tía juana y luego de una noche de amor y depresión sale esto.

sonzao bem astral, eletronico e suave, bom pra se curtir

Love it.

Of albums I’ve had zero exposure to before this list, this is one of the most original and interesting.

Very good album!! Electro new age. Very hypnotic and epic. Loved it!

Some great classic thrash on here. Could feel a bit samey at times, but went hard throughout.

8/6 echoes chambered