Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Boring lyrics over chill euro pop music.
I'm a pretty big fan of a lot of The Knife's earlier works, especially 'Deep Cuts', just a great balance of experimentalism and accessibility in contemporary electropop. I feel similarly about this record for the most part, it certainly feels slower and darker than a lot of those the Knife records, with these heavily effect-drenched vocal layerings paired with these spacey, futuristic, and atmospheric synths that feel intangible on a lot of these tracks. It's really enjoyable, because while the music here feels much simpler in the grander scale of electronic music, it still manages to feel just as evocative. I personally really liked 'I'm Not Done'. Karin's vocals are an acquired taste, they're high-pitched and melodically unpredictable, her lyrics dream-like, but it shouldn't take more than a couple songs to "get" how well they complement the much slower, and hypnotic music backing them. Lyrically she's great, I really loved 'When I Grow Up' and 'Keep The Streets Empty For Me', maybe my favorite song on the album which has Karin dialing it back a bit with the vocals. A very airy and dreamy record that's still very easy to slide into, one of the greats in modern electro/synth pop.
In 2009 I appreciated this album, but didn't really connect with it, and today I feel the same. I enjoy Scandinavian electronic music, but the likes of Bjork has a warmth that is missing here. Fever Ray is icy cold.
Strange but riveting. I loved this, once I relaxed into it.
A very cool album. Sonically this will last with you even in places the songwriting won’t, but those sonics are absolutely hypnotizing and uniquely foreboding. This is absolutely something music listeners should hear and a great inclusion to the book. Put it near the top of your “to listen on headphones” list. 8/10
2/5
This was a hidden gem, I love it.
Very cool album--I like the songwriting. Like Bjork, it can get a bit monotonous (although it's not really anything like Bjork). Now's The Only Time I Know is a highlight. Would probably get to 3.5 with time.
irgendwann repetitiv, aber an sich ganz nice und einfach sehr individuel. sowas tut mal gut
Dark atmosphere and nice beats that keep you engaged. The voice can be a bit challenging at times, but overall a pretty good album. Fav Track: Keep The Streets Empty for Me
Slow electric music that's a bit grunge and dark
Dig them. A Swedish Björk, yet darker and edgier than their Icelandic sister.
Dark & dreary.
Not into it.
not my jam #musicsky #albumsky 2/5
What did I think Fever Ray was? Not this, anyway. And that's for the best, because my heart sank when I got this. I think I thought it was like La Roux or something. Anyway, it's really good fun. It's not ground-breaking or life-changing, but I played it three times in the day, so it had to be doing something right, right.
One of my favorites. Listening critically it is maybe a bit too long but I love it.
it's like an electro swedish GWAR that makes good music without sacrificing any of the unsettling characters or visuals
liked the sounds! hated the vocals. flew too close to bjork for my personal liking. 2.5
This was fun, weird little guy (positive) vibes and I like the distorted vocals.
Not quite
Not a genre I usually listen to. I think I'd have to be in the right mood. Slightly creepy.
I may have already been primed to like this by If I Had A Heart, but I don't know, I enjoyed the sound of it!
I really didn't like this one. It felt boring, flat, and I really didn't understand why it even made this list at all. :(
Pleasant vibe, but not really much keeping me anchored through the whole album.
It was okay I guess. Nothing really stood out in my mind at all. I could tell they were probably doing something cool but it sort of wasn’t executed amazingly well. Will not be going back to this one.
Keep the Streets Empty For Me has a cinematic atmosphere that I enjoyed. As much as I tried to appreciate the album's production, I cannot give it more than 1⭐ when I actively despised the singer's voice on every single track.
I thought the first four tracks and the final one were extremely promising, but it did slacken off in the second half. However, I would listen again in the future.
I didn't dislike this, it was all very easy to listen to and wasn't offense. But it felt like it could have been a compilation of songs out of late 80's movies. Pan's Labryinth, Blade Runner, Howard the Duck, Die Hard, Aliens, Mad Max...it felt so much in that era. I didn't dislike it but it wasn't anything new or different.
Is this post apocalyptic tribal? It's kind of haunting with good beats. I dig it.
If you have a dark soul, or you’re just in a melancholic mood, this album is for you! Fever Ray, also one half of The Knife, is an artist who is willing to push the limits of what music can be. They are mostly successful. I find this album with its goth leanings goes down really well in autumn months.
This was kind of strange, haunting and cool. I've never heard anything quite like it. I really like the atmosphere it creates, and the lyrics and instrumentation are super creative. Fun discovery!
interesting music that i found to be a little reminiscent of bjork. i don't think it ends up being as compelling, but there are some interesting sonic passages here. mostly i found it to be somewhere in the middle, not weird enough to be interesting, but not dull enough to be unlistenable.
It’s fine! I don’t really get why it’s on this list but to each their own!
Wow cool, 2009. I did not know this list of albums goes up to 2009. I wonder what the earliest and latest albums of our 1001 albums will be. Now’s The Only Time I Know > If I Had A Heart > Concrete Walls > Coconut > I'm Not Done > Seven > When I Grow Up > Keep the Streets Empty For Me > Dry and Dusty > Triangle Walks Pretty cool sound, never heard of this act. Oh I guess this is a the Knife side project? I like the Knife. Yeah I think this is working for me. This is nice. Does kinda lose some charm as it goes along, but it’s never annoying. Settling in to a comfortable 3-rating I think? Maybe a high 2. The problem is nothing is catchy enough to stick around in my head, and it all kinda blends together. Yeah there are no true bangers here, this album isn't bad but probably forgettable. That sounds like a 2.
niggus biggus triggus fagottigus skibidus toiletus
A bit weird and other-worldly, but absolutely engaging.
Felt like I was being gently haunted by a stylish ghost who just wants me to dance in slow motion.
Interesting album but not something i need to hear again. I dont get why the list doesnt have more enjoyable music of the more recent period than this.
Her voice reminded me a lot of Bjork's on the album of hers I got on here, but a major difference between these albums is there's not really a standout track on here, though I did think the songs were better near the beginning of this one. It's certainly interesting, but not enough for me to want to spend the time to let it grow on me.
bleepy-pop, fine but not outstanding
Meh
This is what I like
I've always loved this album. Walks the line between being catchy and being ominously menacing really well.
I'm getting a Bjork sound from the vocals. Wait is this just Bjork?? [wikipedia break] No, but she is also Scandinavian, and the vocal style is similar. I love this. I am inclined toward experimental stuff that isn't too "out there", and this fits the bill. Nice and ambient.
Sucker for a bamboo flute and mallets.
This was an unexpected banger. Mostly unexpected because I thought they had me set up to listen to Sugar Ray and that's what I was expecting
Vikings :D Album hört sich schon ein wenig wie ein Fiebertraum an. Manche Songs scheinen dich in Trance zu versetzen, manche wecken dich unangenehm.
Hat mich nicht so richtig abgeholt. Und im ersten Song die Schmatzgeräusche waren ganz schlimm
It tried something
Reminds me of Gåte. Surprisingly decent! 4/5
Not my thing.
So this is embarrassing. I’m casually familiar with Fever Ray. I have a few of her bigger hit songs saved in my phone and I’m a big fan of those songs. This is the embarrassing part, one of the few times I went to look into her other stuff I saw the album cover for her debut album and I hated it and came to the conclusion that it would be clunky and rough. Well I was clearly wrong cause this is an amazing album. The production and completely unique and original sound are the biggest stand outs but the songs themselves are just intoxicating. I adore this album, it’s a no skip album.
Meh
It's a pity that I haven't heard it earlier.
Not bad. Nice chill electronic music.
When I saw Swedish electronic, I had a hunch that I wouldn't really like this but it's actually pretty good The music is layered, and there's more to peel back but I appreciate the subtleness of this album, it would've been quite easy to make these songs overbearing and too busy by just adding a little more to them. If I Had a Heart sets quite a moody tone that remains throughout, it's got an eerie quality that I imagine would suit winter really well There are some pretty synths on tracks like Dry and Dusty that remind me a little bit of Depeche Mode's mid to late 90s sound. Triangle Walls is also sort of reminiscent of something Peter Gabriel might do I'm not crazy about the vocals at points, but I don't hate them. It didn't feel like they always matched the intensity (or lack of) of the music, like the first minute of Seven, which felt slightly jarring. I prefer how they sounded on Concrete Walls, which feels more in keeping with the tone of the album The higher registers remind me of Bjork, who controversially, I'm not a very big fan of. Now's the only time I know I actually quite liked them though, maybe because they stick to a lower key that I find suits their voice a bit better A pleasant surprise Highlights: If I Had a Heart, Concrete Walls, Now's The Only Time I Know
Like a more minimal version of CHVRCHES, nothing special in my opinion. 2/5
Yeah this was interesting. I will be returning to it, and added it my library. I don't love it though, but no skips, interesting vibe that I think you got to be in the mood for.
Nice, if a little low-key for my interests. Chill background noise, but nothing stands out.
bella scoperta. un'occasione per aggiungere un'artista femminile alla playlist.
Bell'album elettro da sonorità nuove, da prendere. Mi ha gasato veramente tanto, ben diverso da quello che ascolto di solito.
Very weird putting an artist on you've never heard of and the first track is a song you have heard in part a ton from watching a television series. Definitely a genre I am not interested in getting in to, but I get why people like it. Wasn't bad by any means.
Not bad, but mediocre. Listen to Bjork instead. She came up with the idea and does it way better of course.
Was a bit disappointed as I really liked the more poppy/ retro vibes of The Knife and thought that this would be more of the same. Did not really enjoy the darker tone - made it slightly dirgy and lacking in hooks or moments of beauty. Not terrible by any means - just not what I was hoping for. Will give a 3 as I'm sure would grow with repeated listening ....
Fever Ray Took me a while to work out how I felt about this one, mainly as it wasn’t quite what I was expecting knowing The Knife and after the first track. If I Had a Heart is a great opener, kind of medieval moody chanting over a minimally layered electronic landscape, a little bit Bjork with the vocals, setting the album up for some icy-cool Scandinavian/Northern European house inflected electronica with some oomph. However it stays in that sparse, frosty, heavily Bjork influenced lane, with few of the tracks ever feeling like they get out of 2nd gear, like they never quite blossom into full on bangers, and it all felt like one of those albums that is longer than it actually is. On further listens I liked it more, and that feeling of never quite exploding is one of its strengths, as it creates a nice bit of tension, the deliberate austereness and constrained atmosphere is actually really engaging, and sprinkled through it are some great tracks and moments. Aside from theIf I Had a Heart I really liked When I Grow Up, Seven, Triangle Walks, Keep the Streets Empty for Me and Stranger to Kindness. As good as it is at creating that icy atmosphere it definitely does drag towards the end without a great deal of variation, and it does go on about 10 or 15 minutes too long. As it feels more like a suite of music, a tighter, more condensed version would probably be a lot better and feel like a much more self contained experience. Overall I like it, some of it is excellent, and it is good to work to. It’s very nearly a 4 but it’s length and the loss of focus is a bit of an issue, so I’ll stick it as a high 3. 🥵🥵🥵 Playlist submission: Triangle Walks
Whilst there are some top not h influences evident throughout, it ends up being an aeon behind the multi-layered textures of Boards of Canada; light years behind the desolate wonder of Björk; and a country mile behind the alternative melodic brilliance of Kate Bush. The album tempo rarely shifts into anything above a crawl. Because most of the album is so singular in tempo, it becomes something of a dirge. And I started to find repeating instances of the lower register pitch-shifted vocal highly irritating. For the other side there is a genuine creativity to many of the tracks, attempting ambience, good melodies, and a good vocal. Which is all a long way to say it's a three.
Good vibes. I like. 4 stars.
Mix a little swedish electronica with some proto-Bjork vocals, and some Yellow Magic Orchestra orchestration and ....this is the result. It's will not appeal to everyone (what can) and many will be irritated by it, but it's OK. A pleasant change from the usua; Alternative/AOR stuff, but I'm probably not give it a second listen.
Not for me.
Плохо вник в альбом, но понравился. Скандинавский вайб.
One note throughout, and that not is hot oil and candle wax on the nipples!
Good vibes. I like. 4 stars.
I don't like the vocals very much. The backing is okay.
I found this really interesting because it's unlike anything I've heard before. The beats wouldn't go amiss in the trip hop scene, Karin's dreamy vocals juxtapose the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the album. The nonsensical lyrics add to the overall theme. A really nice record and I'm glad it's on this list Only reason it doesn't get a 5 is it's repeatability factor. You have to be in the proper mood to enjoy this one, it's not something you can just put on at any point in the day. And for me, I can't see myself being in the mood for this album a whole lot, but I will definitely be revisiting it at some point
Cool and weird but not to my taste
sallright
Wer Bjork mag, findet vielleicht auch hieran Gefallen. Ist aber düsterer und schleppender. Es wirkt irgendwie Motivationslos. Einmal reinhören reicht. 2/5
Viking song was cool!
I like cinnamon buns. I like coffee stronger than tar. I like home distilled spirits that destroy your brain. I like both too much and too little sun. Basically, I'm spiritually Nordic, and so this is obviously great.
This feels like a throwback to a lot of 80s synth pop or goth stuff in a good way. It also sounds like they had fun making all kinds of sounds.
If Björk joined an Indie band.
Decent in places
Un re viaje dark-pop. Ganas de descubrir más
Really liked the opener and the ending. I like when it goes for a very dark yet weirdly comfortable feel. But the pitch shifted vocals annoy me and take some points off whats a good electronic album
Mehh
Well, atmospheric as all get out. Not really my game. Nice for background. Periodically the lyrics seem contrived. I want to like this more than I do.
I really liked this dreamy, ethereal ride. At times it was quite gothy and other times just a ride with the fairies but I wouldn’t hesitate to revisit it.
This was interesting, and made more so by a cursory review of their bio (pitch-shifted vocals, for one thing). As with many of the electronic-oriented albums, it tended to sound similar from track to track — a similar mood/sound/melodic construct seemed to pervade everything. So I enjoyed it, but was never truly captivated beyond periodic passages.
yeah, this was all right. i was familiar with The Knife, but I think I liked this better. It's a bit bleak, but I dug it. Not sure it belongs on this list, but it was nice to be exposed to it.
I dig
Interesting. I didn't know I had any deleted ones left. I like that The Knife album. Saw these on telly when they played Glastonbury. I like the vibe. I wish some of the songs would go somewhere, but it's overall decent. Do we call this chill-wave? There's not a lot of verse chorus verse going on here, which works well sometimes but not all the time. Finding the Bjork comparisons a bit weird, I'm assuming those people haven't really listened to Bjork though, or have just seen the word Scandinavian and leapt to a lazy comparator. More in common with Depeche Mode and countless other synth bands. Decent but probably a little bit one-paced to grab me, which is what I thought after the glasto gig. Probably a bunch of songs that work well in isolation but all together you lose interest. I'm Not Done, however, is hypnotic and stands out from the crowd. Playlisted.
Very cool! It's like wofting through a dark dream, slow and deep. Had heard several of these tracks before, but don't think I'd be able to attribute to Fever Ray.
Very solid album that I may very well listen to again but also not the most amazing piece of electronica nor an all-time classic.
I was pleasantly surprised by the opening of this album, and I really enjoyed Seven, its a cool poppy alt rock sound I haven't heard too much on this list to this point. But the longer the album went, the more I became disinterested. I think this sound works well as background music while working on something else, but it's not enough on it's own to need a 1 hour album, at least not for me.
As electronic music goes, this wasn’t so awful. I enjoyed the different sounds of percussion, and there was enough variation between tracks that it’s wasn’t too same-y. Although not my cup of tea, I can see why fans or electronic would hold this album highly.
Good album. It comes from a genre that I didn't grow up with, and doesn't have a deep emotional resonance with me, but there is a lot of unpredictability in this album, and that fascinates me. There is a lot that one can learn about music theory and breaking out of the creative box by listening to this album
Nice but rather bland
that first track was a single? swedes are chill af
Perfect background music when panic organising a spreadsheet that makes 0 sense
Its very Bjork meets Ethel Cain meets Grimes if she was European. The first half of the album I found it hard to listen to, mostly due to her vocals. The instrumentals for majority of the project I really loved though. I think the are standout. Fave Songs: - Seven - Now's the Only Time I Know - Keep the Streets Empty For Me - Coconut (the best for me)
My first electronic record. Like the atmosphere of the first song but then it starts to get a little repetitive. Like: If I Had a Heart Would I listen to it again: No
There were some really cool songs here, but also some weird ass songs.
Uh. Weird.
I'd never heard of this artist previously. I went in with an open mind but found it quite monotonous. It wasn't 'unlistenably' bad, but it just never got going. A lot of the tracks had the feel of someone finding a new feature on a sampler or drum machine and then hammering the fucking life out of said feature \ effect for a single track. I did make it all the way through, so for that it gets 2 stars.
Interesting vibe but nothing that stood out to me
8/10
I had never heard either the artist or tge album before this Introduction and a long commute afforded me the opportunity to do so twice. Its a rare and sparse gem of a record, with a fragile charm and beauty of its own. Do I like it? No, not in any defined way. Do I want to listen to it again? , yes, I probably will. I kinda respect it more than enjoy it at the moment, and in a way I'm not sure how to describe it but definitely can see why it's made this list.. I get the echoes.of it in recent explorations into alaskan tapes, onehtrix point never and andrew tuttle.to name but a few
Not heard of this before. Found thar most tracks seemed to pass me by and really capture my attention. Found myself more interested in later tracks and quite liked, 'stranger than kindness' and 'here before'. I guess 3 stars would be a fair estimation.
I liked this a lot more than expected. I don’t like electronic or Swedish (sorry, Bjork). This was a good background vibe. Not obtrusive.
Some good bits, but lots of samey boredom.
This was an okay album. It's different from anything I heard before in the synth pop genre. Not sure if I like it but I don't hate it. My random observations during listening: - Not much difference between songs - Roughly the same tempo for each song - Many of the songs had an Eastern influences (like China or Japan rather than India). - Electronic sounds used for rhythm; no drums per se - Lots of electronic animal noises like birds or things you'd hear in a forest - Lots of synth washes - Dreamy and ethereal - I don't really understand the heavily electronic tuned down "male" vocals. Sounds like an evil spirit on downers - Fever Ray's vocals occasionally remind me of Björk in the same way that Dolores O'Riordan occasionally reminds me of Sinead O'Connor
3.5/5. I knew the opening track and got excited. Turns out that's an outlier in this album. I don't think the music on here is bad, it's just not something I enjoy listening to most times.
This is a 10 song album with only 1 song on it. Every single song was exactly the same. A dull repetitive synth beat, and some weird over tuned whiny singing. Triangle Walks had some nice music pick up, but other than that, this was a total slog. Couldn't wait for it to end. Best song: Triangle Walks
Immediately recognisable because of Vikings, although I had no knowledge of the link before listening to this. An interesting collection of songs that have been put together beautifully. the album improves with every song
Suffers from following Silent Shout. Karin is still one of the most unique musicians doing it.
I never listened to Fever Ray before. I can see myself coming back to this album.
While her, I mean "their" politics are ridiculous and detracts from the music, the debut album of Fever Ray is actually a very well engineered Bjork knock off. Perhaps a bit of an upgrade from most Bjork, if I am being honest. You may ask why bring up their politics? Simple, because this is one of those artists that inserts their politics into anything and everything they possibly can. They virtue signal at every opportunity. It is not an attack, it is just an honest acknowledgement. Now as for the album itself, it is atmospheric electronica that for me evoked a bright, cold, winter day in Sweden. It also sounded like it could serve for something as banal as a Cirque Du Soleil performance. Given a few more times through, I could see it growing on me after awhile. I'm not sure it belongs on this list, but here are 2009 albums that I thought were far more interesting and should have occupied this place: Imogen Heap ELLIPSE Florence and the Machine LUNGS Bat for Lashes TWO SUNS Metric FANTASIES
Love the vocals on this album, which is not something I expected to say on a electronic music album.
I'm typically into ambient electronic pop, and this isn't bad. I had zero experience with this artist prior to these spins. It's a collection of neat, airy tunes. The sounds roll. It’s unpretentious, with a small wink of humor. A laid-back listen that doesn’t overdo it. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions: - If I Had a Heart - When I Grow Up - Keep The Streets Empty For Me
Just no. 1/5
I had no idea what to expect, and enjoyed this quite a bit, actually.
If I Had a Heart // I’m Not Done 3.5/5
Spooky and cool
Pretty cool
Jeg hørte på dette albumet for seksju år siden og det gjorde ikke noe særlig inntrykk. Kul åpning. De første par sekundene er på en måte høydepunktet av hele greia. Produksjonen er vel utført, dyster, minimalistisk, og desidert musikkens sterkeste side. Vokalisten er dessverre avskyelig. Når hun ikke har på det distraherende stemmefilteret så høres hun ut som den verste mulige kombinasjonen av Sia og Bjørk. Gudene vet hvorfor Svenske vokalister alltid er nødt til å uttale "do" som "doo" og "you" som "yooo". Tekstene er så vage at det bare blir helt meningsløst. Jeg kan synke litt inn i atmosfæren, men så begynner hun å synge... Albumet kunne like så godt vært instrumentalt for min del.
Great debut record, killer sound and an amazing voice
It’s quite atmospheric but I had no desire to want to spend much time with it
Eletronic
Dark, moody, electronic. I recognised that specific intonation from the Knifes cover of Jose Gonzalez heartbeats. I enjoyed this.
5/10
I have liked and listened to this since "Vikings" used their music. I love it although I have to listen to it alone since my wife thinks I am ramping up my torture room when this is on.
2?
Honestly, this is what I wish Bjork always sounded like. I love the dark, electronic music. 4.5/5
Kind of dig it
Not horrible but really started to drag at the end.A shorter, tighter album would have worked better IMO
Much to its credit, this wasn't mind-numbingly torturous to listen to like almost every other electronica album I've heard here. Maybe it's the atmospheric, moody vibe but this actually kind of worked for me. It is quite a bit same-y. I thought I had only listened to 2 long songs but when I checked on the progress of the player, I had actually listened to 5 songs. This one surprised me, I didn't think I'd like it at all. 2.75/5
Ok this was cool, it was brooding ( I may actually add the opening track, If I had a Heart to my Halloween playlist because it’s just so creepy and haunting. I was aware of Fever Ray and she is definitely more talented and interesting than her So-Cal Brother Sugar Ray. 4 stars
I don't know if this is my favorite Fever Ray project, but they just get better and better with every album, and Karin Dreijer is a 5+ star artist. I love these solo projects even more than their work with The Knife. I'm still obsessed with their latest, Radical Romantics. It appeals to my love for pop music while still exploring themes of queer love, desire, and experiences in exciting and interesting ways. The production is so rich and full on this album, and I'm always amazed at how versatile their voice is and how they choose to process and layer it. My favorite tracks are If I Had a Heart, When I Grow Up, and Now's the Only Time I Know.
It was trippy, but it didn’t hit too hard ever. Forgettable overall
Not a huge fan of the singing but the underlying beats are excellent.
Good stuff if you like that Scandinavian beat ala The Knife (of which Karin is half of) and Royksopp and Bjork. Just wild out there sounds and lyrics but it all gels together nicely...
Meet "Spooky Bjork". This is a very solid art pop album, with a uniquely psychedelic aesthetic and wonderful production on both the instrumentals and vocals. It's a capital-H Headphones experience! I lean far towards electronic music as opposed to pop which does bias me towards the IDM style songs like the incredible 'Dry and dusty' towards the start of the album. I LOVE how some tracks use their lack of drumbeat to create this immensely spacey feeling, like you're floating on your back down a river at night. So the later songs with more traditional pop song structures let me down even if the production is still good.
Ok for background music while working
They should have seen a doctor for the fever...
Pretty boring listen for me if I'm being honest. 2 stars that almost bordered on a 1.
Solid electronic dream pop from half a Knife, with more experiments to come on her following two records.
Both more fragile and claustrophobic than early The Knife albums, Fever Ray proves without shadow of a doubt that they can go it alone - and do it just as well.
Not my thing
I'm still reeling from the display picture on Deezer. Yeah, its like Bjork, but its also got some bits that aren't and I think those actually worked better (depsite being a fan of Bjork). I might like some of it more after a revisit.
fucked up late 2000s club music basically lol
Never heard of them. I like this album quite a bit.
This album was really cool. Very relaxed overall, but there's always a lot happening. Not a huge amount for me to say, but I've reviewed over 1000 albums at this point, so I don't have much to say in general 4/5
Decent album, too hipstery 3/5
This album creates a very specific mood, it's dark and cold and sparse, and it's devastatingly wonderful. It reminds me of David Bowie's Darkstar, and maybe he took his inspiration from this. Keep The Streets Empty For Me is definitely the favorite.
Not loving the electonic
David Lynch passed away today and you expect me to write a review? Well, at least this record would kind of fit the spirit of his work: it’s dark and moody and maybe a little psychedelic/dreamlike. Judging by the music that appeared in his later films and Twin Peaks: The Return, it might be safe to say he might have liked it. For me, though…It’s got a terrible album cover though and doesn’t feel very far removed from a lot of the indie-electronica (Indie-tronica? Is that a thing? probably) of its time…at least not enough to warrant inclusion on a list of albums to hear before you die. Finally, why does it sound like the synth in the first track is saying “HOT POTATO, HOT POTATO” over and over? I swear, listen to that first track again: HOT POTATO, HOT POTATO, HOT POTATO, HOT POTATO, HOT POTATO, HOT POTATO, HOT POTATO, HOT POTATO, HOT POTATO, HOT POTATO, HOT POTATO
Dense, melancholic but dancy at the same time, electropop
Not for me. 2/5
Eh…was “ok” but nothing stood out. Not a must listen
I was glad when this was over. Not quite sure of the point of it; I don’t think even they knew. Couple good beats though.
January 15, 2025 HL: “Dry and Dusty”, “Triangle Walks”, “Now’s the Only Time I Know”, “Coconut” Odd and spooky, not everyday listening, but nonetheless really enjoyed the mix of cold synths and more organic marimbas/xylophones. Either a 3 or a 4 but I’m feelin generous
It’s giving Bjork but more traditional electronic and less experimental. 4/10
weird. but good weird. interesting production and sounds. feels very cold.
It has its moments
I'll be polite and say it wasn't for me. BTEC Bjork
Björk-inspired electronic pop, particularly in the vocals. The songs have a low, simmering energy. They’re beautifully produced but aren’t in a hurry to wow you with anything big. I’m hesitant to embrace this album for the same reason I’m lukewarm on certain Björk albums. It’s cool but why would I want to listen a second time? This is probably mostly a question of taste but there wasn’t much that excited me.
This album is a solid listen. I put this on while grinding through some work meetings and it was exactly what I needed to push me through and keep my attention going. I really dig the vocals, and the production shines too. The overall dark vibe makes the album feel super cohesive, and mysterious. Just overall a cool album that I'm happy to discover via this list. This isn't a dig whatsoever on the artist and album artist, but I hate that when I look at this album cover initially I think "eww gross it's AI artwork" and then I look and see that the album came out in 2009 so I can assume it's not. Good job Martin Ander on the artwork.
This is a great electronic album, with rather quirky vocal stylings. The album was new to me, but I like the following two albums, so I was up for this.
I'm back after a month off. My last two albums were both great, but I felt like I needed a bit of a break. One last push before work starts again now. I did not really know what I was getting into here, but I actually liked this a lot. It's like an electronic pop album from this Swedish electronic musician (who apparently is half of Swedish electronic duo call The Knife). I'm terrible at describing electronic music, but it was surreal and almost primal feel to it. At times I got like PJ Harvey and Kate Bush, vibes, but I guess darker? It's certainly not an uplifting album, but it's a bit hauntingly beautiful. The pace is fairly consistent throughout so it doesn't have a ton of "wow" moments, but it's incredibly consistent and still manages to be interesting throughout. There's definitely songs I like better than others, but really strong top-to-bottom. I felt like this was going to be a 3 for sure, but basically every song just kept hitting for me. It's not one that I think I'll listen to often or anything, but it was really well done and enjoyable in an almost surrealistic way. Favorite song: When I Grow Up Other: If I Had a Heart, Seven, Triangle Walks, Now's the Only Time I Know, I'm Not Done, Keep the Streets Empty For Me, Here Before 1/6/25
Swedish electronic weirdness- love it!
Odd enough. Sometimes vocals irritate me sometimes I love it.
Really didn't know what i expected here, but this wasn't it. I think I expected something a bit louder but what we got was some stripped back avante, electro-pop in the vein of Bjork. Individual songs are really pretty if bleak in tone. Didn't have eyes on the tracklist, but really loved how this one washed over me. Keep the Streets Empty for Me was a strong late album track -- very patient and pretty. For me this is a solid 4 / 5. Will come back again soon
Annoying shitty electronic music. You aren't special. 2.5 stars
Another one that sits right between a 3 and 4 for me. Very atmospheric and punchy. A little more down tempo than I usually go for, but it kept my interest the whole time. Biggest knock would be the homogeneity that I always like to mention. Biggest ups goes to just the general production. Very clean and felt like the focal point with the vocals being complimentary. I was going to round down, but I really enjoyed Coconut and I'm in a good mood.
Those singers were really weird and spooky at first and I was not sure how I would like them through the album. But the backing instrumentals and beats were so so good throughout the whole album that they really grew on me. Listening to a few songs again and the electronics are elite on this album. Such a cool and unique type of music. Started off as a 2 really but worked its way to a high 4
Something about the voice annoys me but some of the instrumentals are just so perfectly peaceful for a Friday morning.
I liked this a lot. It sent me down the path of listening to their other albums.
I love this album, it's one I come back to a lot since first getting into it. Their music (along with The Knife's) is so unique and refreshing. Love the variation of vocal styles and chilly but immersive production. I don't think this is quite as good as Silent Shout, but still a 8/10.
I have heard this before and again despite the odd demeanor of Karin it's right up my alley.
I've never heard of the band or this album. Based on the genre description and average rating, I feared the worst. It turned out differently. I really liked the album. Maybe I'm not thrilled, but I will certainly listen to the album again. 4/6
2.2 "oh that's that song from vikings!" ...... faves: if i had a heart
Not a fave. Definitely interesting. More, music for a film I would deeply enjoy.
This is a gem of a find. Recognised the vocals from the Knife. Definitely listen again!
Witchy ambient and electropop. Good winter music.
Better than I expected - very easy listening - nice melody
When they couldn't clear Teardrop as the theme song for House on streaming services, they wrote this record as a replacement.
one of my favorites!
76% Best: When I Grow Up; Seven; Triangle Walks; I'm Not Done Must-Hear? No, but it is an enjoyable, relaxing experience.
Mellow electronica - I'm here for it
Well this is it, the final album. After almost 3 years I'm finally done. I have to say, this was a nice one to finish one. I've seen Fever Ray live before, at some festivals, so I knew what I was getting into. Saying that, I am not the largest fan of them. It's got a vibe that you really have to be in the mood for and I've never quite been in that vibe completely. Still a really unique artist that is doing something interesting. Better than the enumerable long album boring British bands that barely have an impact on music.
Enjoyed 1 or 2 songs, but not big on this.
Meh. It wasn't bad. Kind of dragged on a bit. And just not really that into it.
No.
Trippy vocals with jungle beats. Such an oddball but I really liked it.
Like it.
odd
first listen it's definitely artistic but didn't hold my attention a whole lot
Didn’t hate this. Most songs went on too long though
Actually pretty great. A dark, icy electronic album that's not afraid to venture into odd places. Dare I say, in a particularly Scandinavian way. That said, it's not particularly abrasive. If anything it reminds me of the Donkey Kong Country soundtrack! (Actually, on that note, "Dry and Dusty" reminds me a lot of a track from Super Mario Odyssey lol) There are lots of vocal effects here, lots of pitching down and up. Sometimes they're layered on each other, in a way that reminds me a bit throat singing. And the synths are great, love the bell synths on "Triangle Walks". Anyway, great vibe, something to put on at night and get lost in. Fav tracks: When I Grow Up, Dry and Dusty, Triangle Walks
Very atmospheric and great lyrics. Love the production and enjoyed the album. Unsure if I will revisit time and time again but who knows. Surprise me
++: When I Grow Up, Coconut +: If I Had a Heart, Seven, Triangle Walks, Concrete Walls, I'm Not Done, Keep the Streets Empty for Me +-: Dry and Dusty, Now's the Only Time I Know 6,7/10
Electronica that's chill to the point of being boring. Didn't click with me at all
This album grew on me. started as a 2 ended as a 3.5 not quite a 4 though. I figured the dude chose this album simply for the Vikings reference but nah it was solid
Well that was different, in a good way. This album stood out a lot to me for the way and style of the instruments. Kinda felt like I was wondering in a somber jungle for a bit there. The singers voice was a bit harsh for my liking. But I enjoyed this a fair bit overall. Unique and consistent
Went nice with a double scotch.
This should have been my kryptonite but actually is a tuneful, interesting side of electronica that was a good listen.
Why was this so fire
Slow burn this one. But I liked it in the end
Sounds like Icelandic Vikings.
Felt like something I would like but didn’t really do it for me. Reminded me a lot of another band that I couldn’t figure out. Maybe glasser?
I do not vibe with vibey ambient restaurant music
Vibey, reminded me a lot of The xx. Nice for beach listening as we did
Chill
I really liked this. It has great sound and is great for just chilling.
Very interesting record and sound. It's more soundscapes than its predecessor, the Knife. Very atmospheric record.
It is really good and I love the Fever Ray project, but her follow up albums are more fully realized than the debut.
Always liked the theme song for the show Vikings which is "If I Had a Heart"
Good production
a knife by any other name would smell as sweet
Spooky, in a good way.
This is my second time listening to this one, and while it still doesn't do much for me at all, I will concede I was harsh on my first review. There is an interesting vibe to the album, particularly for early morning listening. But overall, it's just not music I can really ever see myself voluntarily listening to.
Initially, I thought the other reviewers that referenced Bjork might be exaggerating. No, they are not. This totally sounds like Temu Bjork. It’s just a cheap reduction. Has that FKA Twigs sparse, yet painfully overproduced, style. A whole lot of work, for not very much. Not for me.
Enjoyed this sound, it's the kind of relaxing/indie shit that I can work to. 3*
Fever Ray is an interesting listen, but so dense and semi-difficult that it is never something I actively seek out. 3/5
Nope. Not for me. Too dark, too deep, too abstract to get into.
...(.
Each song started sounding the same and not as good as the previous song.
Heard on breaking bad!
This album reminds me of that Kate Bush song “Under Ice.” One of my favorite songs. I love the feeling of this album, and probably never would have given it a chance based off the album cover! I love the Knife, but had never heard of Fever Ray and I’m so glad this album was on this list!
Delightfully weird, up a similar alley to Bjork but I think I enjoy it more, 4
Het spass gmacht zum lose. Wobi mer di 2. Hälfti besser gfalle het. S eint lied hani sogar scho i mine gspeicherete songs drin gha, was öppis will heisse. S lied "seven" isch mini grösst neuentdeckig uf dem album! Wiiter so fever
Geils cover! Mini Reaktion ufs Cover lad sich am beste imne Meme beschriebe: https://images.app.goo.gl/CpXyBy5bHu37LMEC7 Es hed sich denn usegstellt, dasi schomol driglost han, mech aber ned an Artist han möge erinnere. Sorry Fieberstrahl, wer dich jetzt hoffentlich nümme vergesse. Jetzt zum wichtigere Teil, nähmlich de Musig: Epische Sound wo mich grad chlii an anderi Ort/Situatione versetzt hed, z.B: - Weltallwikinger wo sich uf en schlacht vorbereitet - Im Gwand vomne Vogel über d Alpe gleite - En Zeremonie im Regewald dürefüere Top Album um im Zug in Gedanke versunke usem Fenster z luege. Wär sicher au geil das mol uf psychodelische Spass-Substanze z lose. Ech glaube das Album esch mega Situations- und Stimmigsabhängig, fends aber wirklech episch. Leider längeds ned ganz für mini erste 5 Sternli, darum es abgrundeds 4. @Noah oder anderi Filmmusikkenner: Hesch s erste Lied scho mal ergendwo ghört? Und last but not least: Willkomme Karin
Heiligs Kanonerohr! Was brucht mer meh wie en mix us modernem nordischem Volk und de idyllischte elektronische Kläng, mitere Sänger*in wo e Tim Burton Interpretation vode Björk chönd sii? Ich segs eu mini Dame und Herre: Nada! Grandios wie guet mich das Album abholt, und zudem ane no amene unmotivierte Ziistig Morge en saftige Tritt in Arsch git. Life is a Movie wenn mer mit dere Music uf de Ohre dur d Strasse lauft. Da chunt de experimentell-elektronischi Timon uf all sini Chöste! Cinco Puntos para la Tim Burton interpretación de la Björk! Felicidades!!
Guete morge album klöpp und herzlich willkomme karin :) Fever Ray seid mir nüd uf de ersti blick. Freu mich -vlt chli zu optimistisch - i e neui interpretin ihztauche. 1st track -> Viking Series intro track und lil‘neduz isch hooked. Dur dass und die ganz dramatik vu dem lied bin ich in filmmusik vibe inecho, und das ganze album hed mich uf e reis katapultiert, irgendwo zwüsche 11jhdt bi de wikinger, über 1900er i afrikanische dschungels, zu 1980er Jahr i londoner/berliner fabrikhallene bis zu 2100 space travels. Also wow, villi wunderschöni tracks und es kozept fürs album. Alles was ich hüt brucht han. Danke app, danke ray <3 Und am Namittag das ganze Album grad namal es zweits mal dureglosst. E riese Spass. Somit fraged ihr euch zu recht, gid de lil‘neduz dem album 5 Sternlis? Yes, peps. Es gid 5 Chnebel direkt uf de Trese. —— Ade merci. new artist unlocked
das isch ja eh lustigi überraschig gsi, sehr e lustigi mischig vo weird beats, chli tropisch mengisch? und interessanti vocals wo zum teil guet passt hend aber mengisch au chli drihgschissen hend wär fast es 3 gsi aber wege coconut am schluss gibi es 4ri - hans gfühl dases mit meh lose spassiger wird (drum gits au es 4ri, welli id zuekunft luege chan) und somit hani wider ufgholt - danke fürs warte :) ps. welcome karin!
heilige bimbam da hani wüki fascht fever becho wills so fire gsi isch trotz zischtig und 5. november für mich scho d'entdeckig vo de wuche, ja sogar vom monet! abgseh vo eim lied nix kännt, aber han scho mindestens 3 neui treui wegbegleiter für d'zuekunft gfunde… und s'werded bim gnauere kennelerne sicher no wiiteri dezuestosse d'frag isch: cha mer em ne album wo mer erst sit eim tag kännt es 5i gäh? und d'antwort isch: ja, anschinend scho, fühlt sich irgendwie gad richtig ah
Reminds me of The Knife. I used to have a tough time with this genre but I'm loving it...it travels and gives a specific feeling.
2.5
Different than most electronic. Definitely better.
Meh
For what it is I guess it's good. But melodramatic electronic music blends too much together. It just sounds like emo vocals over computer-generated music. When Spotify auto-played a new artist I didn't even know the album had ended.
Another album where I have zero idea why or how it’s on this list.
I have tried to love this album many times, after the hype that surrounded it in 2009. I readily recognize its originality and groundbreaking soundscapes, but I only *like* it. Quite casually, I gotta say, and not any more than that. Seeing it pop out today on this all made me think about the reasons I can't love this album. So I had to listen to it again (I even got it at home, given the sort of hipster I was in 2009). And after three spins, I think that the real effect of this record on me all boils down to the "a-lot--of-style-but-not-a-lot-of-substance" situation. By this I mean that in spite of the lush, nightly synth textures, not much happens harmonically speaking in this record. Quite often, Karin Dreijer's distinctive pitch-corrected vocals aimlessly wander around the many repetitive icy-cold patterns spiralling on themselves in those cuts. I played some parts of those songs on the piano during one of the times I spun the LP. Gosh, some of those synth parts are all very droney and one-note. And they're not droney in the hypnotic sense of the word, given that the rhythm patterns rarely convey much excitement either. Recently discovered The Knife's *Deep Cuts*, released years before Dreijer's first solo LP, and, on its first side at least, I found the pop potential that *Fever Ray* barely touches upon, so mired it is in its somewhat artsy-fartsy posturing. Maybe *Deep Cuts* should be on that list instead. Still, I'm gonna go as far as giving a rounded-up 4/5 grade to this album. Why, after so many harsh words on my part? First because of the iconic nature of "If I Had A Heart" and "When I Grow Up". Puts my head back 15 years ago. That's a pretty shallow reason to feel so benevolent towards an album I only merely like, but I can't deny the Pavlovian impulse here. Then there's "Seven". It's one of the rare moments when something truly interesting happens on a harmonic level, and it's too bad it doesn't happen that often on the record since it creates such a great song. Finally, there are the two last tracks "Keep The Streets Empty For Me" and "Coconut", where the post-goth moods manage to hit their mark after so many attempts when they don't. Now, my personal opinion is that 2009 was one of the worst years ever for music at large. Throughout my search for musical gems (hidden or not), I've managed to find quite a few of them for most other years in the last six decades or so. But my list for 2009 remains a huge letdown. There are only nine or ten LPs form that year I would like to see on a list such as the one used for this app. Which is *nothing*. Sometimes, I wonder why Fever Ray got such traction for her first solo endeavor. But maybe all it boils down to is the lack of competition in that year. 3.5/5 grade for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 4. 8.5/10 grade for more general purposes (5 + 3.5). Number of albums left to review: 24 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 419 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 250 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 311
I wouldn't say this is the worst album we've gotten, as most of the 1 stars I've given have been for specific reasons pertaining to the music. But overall, it wasn't for me. Musically it was okay, but just not a style or sound that I really care to listen to. If you enjoy this music, good for you and more power to you.
Eh, I really vibe with the actual music, but I can't get behind Miss Fever Ray's grating vocals. There is something about the vocal delivery that genuinely pisses me off a little, it's like she's preventing me from actually enjoying the music. It reminds me of a coherent Yoko Ono.
Chill. A little flat. Don't know what I was expecting, but I'm unlikely to listen to this again.
Strong Björk vibes. I'm into it
made me slightly uncomfortable but a good kind. Kinda björkish
Good album, but did not find any song to highlight.
It's giving nothing I want. 2.
I want to like this album because I have friends that like The Knife. It's just not for me. Personal enjoyment: 2/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5
Only listened to a few songs, wasn't in love with it.
I've never heard anything like Fever Ray's self-titled. This album is full of electronic sounds designed to be other worldly yet still chill. The vocals are unusual but add to the float-y feeling. I call this album weird, but I mean it affectionately because of how unique Fever Ray sounds--and the fact my ears didn't bleed like with the weirdest Swedish musician of all time, who I shall decline to name. But we all know who I'm referring to.
Not always, but often, it is easy to pick out Scandinavian music. Much of it tends to have a very primal, very primitive sound nestled somewhere in the music -- almost like a return to Viking type roots. This album is no exception to that. However, this album definitely listens like a dichotomy. Some songs on the album are ethereally lighter (like "Triangle Walks") and others are ethereally heavier (like "If I Had a Heart"). I had heard "If I Had a Heart" before and liked it a lot, and definitely found myself preferring the darker tracks that were more in that vein. Another dichotomy that this music kind of presents is this sound of organic vs. inorganic. Much of the album is driven by electronic sounds coupled with some very natural sounding percussion and instrumentation. I have also seen the comparisons drawn between Fever Ray and Björk. My thoughts here are that while they are both obviously Scandinavian and have interesting (if not bizarre) ways of singing, I find Fever Ray's vocals a lot less grating and discordant than Björk's. For someone that wants to like Björk but can't find it in them to endure her, I feel like Fever Ray is much more accessible.
Nice music, lame lyrics.
if i had a heart- :I 3 when i grow up- 3 dry and dusty- 3 seven- 2 or 3 triangle walks- 3 no more
Someone paid money to produce this. I would love to ask them why.
A new one for me. I liked it.
It's been a while since you've thrown an album at me that I could get excited about -- and this is still not it! Kind of forgettable for me... I might give it another shot sometime in the future to see if it grows on me, but for now, kind of meh.
Atmospheric electronic music with (probably Marmite) vocals. I quite like the sound of it, but it's nothing groundbreaking... if this was made in the 1970s, yes, but not in 2009. The album sounds pleasant enough, almost like one long song, but I'm not sure if it is "must hear before you die".
Not really my cup of tea.
Lawedome synth pop. Loved the vibe
I've heard of Fever Ray but had not listened before. In learning that they were part of The Knife, a band whose record Shaking The Habitual was great, I was excited to listen. This is definitely an album that demands multiple listens. I didn't like it all that much with one listen, but I gave it another shot and found it to be really good. A third listen confirmed this. It's a chiller record than Shaking the Habitual, and has some trip-hop vibes. The gender-fluid high and low singing is interesting, and there are many great musical moments. It's a grower.
Ik weet nog steeds niet waar ik naar heb zitten luisteren
Strange, but the relatively stripped-down sound was interesting.
It sometimes reminds me of "Bjork" but nothing stunning or remarkable.
Great background music for going about your day. I could get used to it.
The cover is nice (Charles Burns?) but the music had to break through my workday / still sick daze and that feat was not accomplished. Anyway, we're at 25 or so albums left to go, we've had Korn, Incubus, Linkin Park, and Kid Rock but not a single They Might Be Giants album.
Every now and then a vocal line or an interesting synth sound would break through - otherwise, this was pure background. Not unpleasant, but nothing stuck. A vaporous album. Mildly interesting for all that.
Personally getting zero enjoyment out of this one. Gave it a shot and I just can't really get behind this one. It's experimental and weird, but not my type of experimental and weird.
It was interesting. I wouldn't gravitate towards listening to it again but it was good enough to get work done with it during the first and only listen.
Pretty weird, but I liked it.
A good album.
I can safely say I didn’t enjoy anything about this. Not the absolute worst thing on the list, but it also reminds me why I despise most music of this genre.
I'm not rushing out to buy it, but I like it. Not as Bjorky as people say, but I could be wrong - I don't listen to Bjork if I can help it. This album is like a less interesting version of The Knife, which a listened to after this to make sure. Pretty sure we didn't really need Fever Ray. No offence. Two stars.
Very ordinary electronic music, mildly atmospheric, but in no way innovative or an album that anyone really needed to hear.
Drum machine does all the heavy lifting. Meh.
-this is quintessential European gay culture and one of the most unique albums I think I’ve seen on here. can’t really put it into a single genre category but it somehow feels a lot more recent than 2009. The electronic instrumentals scratch my brain really well -Favorites are When I Grow Up, Seven, and Now’s the Only Time I Know
Picture a less-talented Massive Attack featuring a less-adventerous Bjork. Side A is great, drags a bit on side B
#349. The music itself is pleasant enough, if a little weird, but please tell me why does she look like Dr. Satan from House of 1000 Corpses? 3/5: wat Song added to playlist: If I Had a Heart I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
I liked The Knife, so of course I liked this. Great way to start the day!
2.3, *yawn*
I dig it!
I’ve got a fever and the only prescription is not yo listen to this again. There is promise to this though
Saw these at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid 2024. For such a famous venue for performing arts, the acoustics were terrible. We didn't have great seats either. That said, it was still a fun experience. This is an interesting album with some great tracks.
I prejudged this poorly when I saw “Swedish electronic” in the description and I was wrong to do so. This was dark and weird and very cool.
Eh, not what I thought it was going to be but not bad either,
Not terrible, but also nothing that I would say is anything that you have to hear before you die. Sometimes this list feels like a practical joke. 3/5
Very unique, haven't heard anything like this before. Good listen!
Pass.
meh.
Electronic, kind of similar sound throughout. Reminders of Bjork with the vocals. It was ok.
I usually eat up experimental electronic stuff released in this era but this one ain't it. The beats are dull and the vocals devoid of emotion.
Crazy shit... loved every second of it. Experimental in different ways that reminded me of Björk, Low and Bon Iver, among so many other things. Definitely entered my regular rotation.
Have you ever dreamed of leaving your city job and being a swamp witch? Then this album is for you. I usually associate electronic pop (and Swedish pop) with generic music and shallow lyrics, but this is the complete opposite. Even listening with my simple earbuds that don’t have good bass, I was still impressed by the hypnotic sound. The texts are timeless, and at the same time, they have a powerful, mysterious, ancient folk vibe. Plus, this is one of the rare cases where the album cover did not lie to me about what the music is like and how interesting it is.
My now wife used to play the Knife a lot so I was cautiously optimistic about this one. It’s certainly atmospheric, repetitive and long. However as just a background listen it probably isn’t horrible.
I’d really enjoy a story-driven single player rpg with this as a soundtrack, but only because I really like story-driven single player rpgs. I wouldn’t listen to it again otherwise.
Was buzzing to hear the Vikings theme song. Rest of the album was fine but nothing exciting.
Just couldn't get into it