Vulnicura

I generally like Bjork's output and have a few albums on my shelves. This is a tough listen though and doesn't seem to expand on the style and theme set from track one. Maybe demands more time to land, which I can't give. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ❌️ ★★★☆☆(5/10) Total reviewed : 462 Already owned : 100 Purchased : 25 To buy : 3 Nope : 334

I was expecting to hate this as I don't like most of her stuff the radio stations play but I was mildly surprised. None of the screaming voice I am use to more a gentle melodic sound across the album. Would I buy it no but it was quite nice to listen to as a one off.

Sorry, Bjork, I love you but this is too artsy by half. Just seems random, like a prank. 2.5

Maybe just not in much of a Björk mood today. It was fine, but it kind of faded into the background as the album went on. I feel like it's one that would benefit from a relisten at some point.

Pretty cool instrumentation and harmonies Lyrics and delivery are a little clunky but that's subjective and not grating enough to be a problem

melodies and production are insanely cool

I like some of her earlier stuff, but nothing on this one really stood out. Her singing style gets tiresome over a full album.

I respect Björk and her work, but this ain’t it. It feels like ethereal nonsense, it’s almost unsettling

Too similar

very pleasant

The album does a great job creating a mood and would fit great in the background when you want that feeling going though the evening. Not something I would listen to often in other situations though.

She’s sö gööd

I really like Bjork's earlier stuff but i cant even seem to distinguish between songs on this album...it all sort of blends together.

sounded very fall/cloudy - there were some songs I was boppin my head to

Stand-out tracks: Stonemilker, Lionsong, Atom Dance Feels very much like a watered down version of Vespertine. Unlike Vespertine, it feels much more empty and not in a good ambiental kind of way. I'm not a fan of these longer tracks and I don't think they fit Bjork really well at all.

Unlistenable

There was a quality to this I kind of liked, but there was a bit much going on experimentally for my tastes. It would possibly be one that grows on me with repeated listens but for now it’s a 2/5.

Bjork and Arca, it just makes so much sense. A bunch of grand strings colliding with all sorts of *alive* sounding electronics. Like "History Of Touches", what a pretty song! Those stuttery, flashy synth chords haphazardly looping around -- they sound like the memory recollections she's having! So many other sounds that are totally captivating on this project. The techno kick on "Black Lake" is so sleek. Those possibly synthetic string hits on the beginning of "Notget" are so tense. What's most wonderful about Vulnicura is how it was made for absolutely no one but its creator. This is an exercise in processing heartbreak in a very visceral manner. It's very maternal/feminine at its core, which might be one of the reasons for a 2.8 star global rating imo. The other glaring reason being its deconstructed, jagged, peculiar production work. To some, it's frustrating, but I think it's beautiful. Soft 4/5. I won't go back to this one for casual listening, it's just as much an experience as it is an album. But it's fantastic any which way

I'm not necessarily against this style/genre but in this case I thought the first two tracks were much stronger than the rest. So, not my favorite from Björk, but I respect the effort!

(2/7) long, arduous, and kind of unsettling

how did her legs do that

This album would be so much better with no drums -2.4

I like it more than I don’t. Very ethereal and nice. Certainly could be livelier but it’s fine

After so many days of absolute dog water albums, at least I knew what I was getting with this one. It was weird and ethereal and I didn’t hate it, but I probably wouldn’t to back to it.

no me gusta björk, capaz crezca en mi su música (solo escuché debut y vulnicura)

The wailing. Make it stop. Please!

Stonemilker Lionsong

5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background I've enjoyed several of Bjork's albums, but I just wasn't connecting with this.

I've never heard Bjork before so this may be sort of an odd starting point, but I liked it. Had a cool ethereal, chanting, otherworldly type vibe that drew me in

Always different, always interesting. A little too esoteric to my liking. Brooding dark days of Icelandic sunless winters reflected in these tunes.

no mg

Not really into Bjorks thing. Too alien. But this, with the strings was interesting in a mood setting way. Never going to be a fan, but this did move it from total alienation, cold appreciation of what she does to actually being able to listen. 3 Stars

Supremely talented

Lesser Björk.

Sounds Bjorky but mainly in the the vocals. Production is great but not much standing out to me.

I think this fell off progressively after the first track, which I really liked. I can only take so much sad Bjork, especially arhythmic or indecipherably timed sad Bjork. I wanted to like this more but I was really sick of it by the end. I wish there was more variety in tempo and subjects on this one but they’re want. I guess when you’re as big of a deal as she is you can get away with making a statement album like this.

Björk post albumet Vespertine (2001) är alltid en resa att ta sig an man tyvärr orkar ta alltför sällan. För när man väl gör det blir man alltid rikligt belönad. Slölyssning är både omöjlig och onödig. Tio minuter långa "Black lake" är fullständigt knockande, tar andan ur en, jag måste pausa och gå ut och ställa mig på balkongen några minuter och bara andas. Beatsen i "Notget" gräver ut stora sårfåror i mig. Det är musik som känns, som känns på riktigt. Björks konstnärskap som musiker är överträffat av ingen, inte ens Miles Davies eller Bowie är i närheten. Fullständigt unik och störst bäst och vackrast, min respekt är enorm. Jag älskar absolut inte allt hon gjort. Men på det sätt hon gör det, med sådan intrgritet, genom att trampa upp nya outforskade stigar, tänka helhet ofta långt utanför musiken, aldrig kompromissa musikaliskt och alltid få det att låta intressant och nytt. Det går att invända att det är pretentiöst. Men stor konst är ofta det. För det är som konstnär vi ska se Björk. En av vår samtids allra största och viktigaste konstnärer, oavsett uttrycksform. Vulnicura är ett av hennes allra bästa verk. Superstark fyra

Björk var nog ändå bättre när hon gjorde poplåtar. Jag skulle dock kunna tänka mig att höra och se det här framföras i ett konserthus med orkester.

Efter sina tre första soloalbum försvann Björk och musikshow gjort därefter rätt obemärkt ur mitt musikaliska intresse. Inte så att jag minns någon direkt dålig skiva som fick mig att ändra uppfattning om henne. Väl mer att man var nöjd med det man redan hört. Bra så. Därför är spännande att få ett album från långt senare, som vad jag kan minnas aldrig lyssnats på. Det går inte att ta miste på vem artisten är. Björk är omisskännlig. Samtidigt levererar hon här, på skilsmässoplattan, snarare en stämning och en ljudmatta än melodiska låtar. Ganska disharmoniskt vid första lyssning. Men vid vidare lyssning (gör sig onekligen bra i hör lurar) sugs man in i Björks värld. Hennes stötiga sång, maskinerna och stråkarna gör sig faktiskt ganska bra tillsammans. Det är inga platta man spelar om och om igen. Men en knapp timme Björks universum är rätt omtumlande. Det räcker inte till de högre betygen, men en stark trea är gott nog.

Ett album som inte gav mig något till en början. Björks sång som i det närmaste är omelodiös, eller åtminstone verkar sjunga en helt annan sång än musiken. Men från och med Notget händer något. Då faller bitarna på plats för mig. Och efter att ha lyssna på de avslutande spåren så hittar jag även in i de inledande spåren. Just nu en stark trea. Kan möjligen med ett par lyssningar till växa till en fyra. Starkaste spår just nu: Atoms Dance.

Bjork albums are hard to separate for me on first listen because she is such a singular artist. This is great as all the rest of them are, so unique.

I will go to war for this album. Vulnicura was the first Björk album I ever listened to and it opened a new world to me. The vulnarability and emotional intensity of the lyrics and the production are breathtaking - Björk and Arca are an insane combination in the studio. Everything about this album makes me angry with how perfect it is. Maybe at some point I will find some time to sit down and put all my thoughts about it on here. They are very long, gushing and full of praise though. So just go and listen to it.

Really annoying music. Björk always sounds like she is about to break down due to sadness and her voice is just barely making it out...

I can't help it. I love Bjork and I AM pretentious about it. I think she's a true artist and I could FEEL the emotions through her songs. There's nothing like a Bjork album. That being said, I like the all-strings version of this album better and so this is only a 4.

Björk for me is typically anywhere from 3-5 stars depending on my mood and how chill I can be when listening.. today was a bit hectic but still enjoyed, 3.5/5

I like Björk’s voice a lot and still own Debut, which is terrific. Sadly, this release left me a little bit cold. The voice is good but it wonders around unsupported or framed by anything.

I’ve always thought I would enjoy Björk if I sat down and gave it a thorough shot, but this might be the wrong Björk to start with. So sad and jarring, definitely more art piece than popular music. I’m keeping an open mind for her other albums.

Bjork should undoubtedly be on this list. Debut was a huge album and had a huge influence on music of the time and her unique voice has also had an influence on music that has followed. We don't need another album. The engineering and all that business is much better etc. but how this album makes it onto the list beats me.

It was painful getting through this. In fact I couldn't.

Never really listened to Bjork. I respect the talent and artsyness of this album but I personally don't get why this is on the list. This feels like an album for people who are specifically very into Bjork already and want late game experimental content from them. Fair play to folks who are enjoying some higher level of content here but not for me.

Wow

This is fine

feel like this is proof that i could listen to bjork sing over anything and get something out of it first like third of the album is one big wandering mess. bjork having such a loose vocal style needs a stronger base behind her than these songs provide to not have them sound like she's just riffing over a couple random string parts or whatever. even some parts i did enjoy just went on for way longer than i would've liked (i.e. lionsong). not big on the LMFAO-esque synths being plonked on history of touches either. It may take about five minutes into the next song before i start actually liking the music, but everything definitely picks up from that point onwards. family also has a lot of open space and just goes full ambient for a couple minutes, but it goes about it much better than similar moments prior to this (even if i wasn't mad about the cello bit, A for effort tho) from that point on i really like the rest of the tracklist. the instrumentals/strings start to work with bjork rather than against her. probably a pretty harsh 3 considering how strong the back half of the album ended up being, but i really just wasn't feeling the first few songs favourite songs: mouth mantra, atom dance, notget least favourite song: history of touches

Always enjoy Bjork musically, but it's A LOT to listen to in one sitting.

This isn't really all that recognizable as music to me. It's usually just confusing, but it is at times annoying. I felt an incredible amount of relief when I paused this, though, which is a sign that this is not good. 1.5, rounding down.

It's a break-up album, we've come to expect weirdness from Bjork over the years, this one is super-weird. Then again I'm pretty much OK with super-weird, have you seen my record collection? So I'm quite enjoying this today.

Loved it

Underligt och härligt.

Björk! För sjuk. Men det gör ju att hon alltid är skoj och spännande!

mother!

I can see the value of this album, but I cannot say I enjoyed the album. I had to skip a couple of the songs (e.g. Quicksand). 4/10

Darker turn for her but I like it

As a whole, I didn't like it. But I did like the instrumentation and strings in some of the songs, and I think it successfully conveyed her sadness. The album artwork is phenomenal, it's my favorite aspect of the album honestly.

Experimental is the basis of a Björk album, so that's not the reason I find this one a tough piece to swallow. It's got exquisite production, I'm a really big fan of how the bass sounds on a good set of headphones. I can appreciate the lament on her vocals, but it's an entire album of the stuff. It's a well created highly uncomfortable listen. I would not put this on a generic must-listen list, though I am grateful I was given the opportunity to tackle this as an art installation. As music, less than amazing. 2.4/5

wow

Perhaps I’m uncultured, but this isn’t the music for me

Pretty good.

At first this one felt a bit too impenetrable for me, but then Black Lake won me over. A challenging album, but one that I enjoyed.

5/10

Very boring for a Bjork album. Only her voice and general weirdness make it above a 1.

Bjork is too weird for me. I know it's her schtick but it makes for wearying listening 😐

Oh nice again, I dig it for the weird. Good for Bjork for doing something different - this list overall is evidence that it's slim pickins out there for a truly original sound.

really not my thing, sorry

Not a great album but at least Bjork has a nice voice, no memorable songs that I’d be keen to listen to again

Ethereal, kind of sad sounds, far away

I like Björk. I like sad music. I liked this record.

Sounded like a 10 year old girl wailing for 58 minutes and 36 seconds.

I do really like some Bjork stuff but she has a habit of getting a little too “Bjorky” at times and losing the tune. This album is a little to Bjorky, I suspect it might grow on repeat listens but who has the time to play an album of 7 minute songs through over and over?? 2.7

Not for me

Yeah I’m good, Homogenic her best tho

Poor, sad Bjork! Such a heart-wrenching soulful album - more emotion than any Taylor Swift's laments. She can be a hard listen for most, but she is a talent! Give her a break - she just lost her soulmate

Honestly, I had a hard time getting through it. I probably need to pay attention to the lyrics to appreciate this album.

Album #271 Bjork: Vulnicura Before this, the only Bjork album I heard was Vespertine, which, though I did enjoy and found some tracks to be genuinely brilliant, I did not feel as though it lived up to its colossal hype. Since I believed that to be the apex of Bjork's music, I didn’t really feel the need to dig further into her catalogue, so a Bjork album from the 2010s that I’ve never heard of left me skeptical. But honestly, I found this album to be pretty similar to Vespertine in both sound and quality. The highs aren’t as high, of course, but for the most part Bjork is doing her schtick here, and doing it quite well. Her pronunciation of words, as if she were an alien reading English for the first time, is always amusing to me, but the songs are all quite enchanting, and the production is immaculate, as to be expected from her. I still can’t say I consider myself a huge fan, but I definitely respect her art, and I completely understand how people would fall in love with music like this. Best Songs: Stonemilker, Lionsong, Black Lake Worst Song: Atom Dance Score out of 10: 6.5

It's certainly a unique album. I enjoyed it up till the halfway mark, then I had my fill and started to dislike it.

Too long, very same sounding weirdness, it was fine for 20 minutes but then completely overstayed its welcome. Very eclectic and not adhering to standard rhythm, this became a grating listen

There's nothing to enjoy or even appreciate on this album, and I'd describe my experience as "enduring irritation". The vocals all sound the same and convey nothing aside from vague lyrics obscured by an Icelandic accent, and the instruments are in complete discordance with the vocals. Further, the arrangements are dominated by strings (or whatever amalgam of electronic sounds resembles strings) and do little to capture the attention of the listener. This is certainly one of the most pretentious albums I've ever heard and am confident that it would have received no praise were it not for Björk's preexisting notoriety.

That’s enough of this.

I didn’t think this broad could have gotten any weirder, but here we are. Bailed after 4 very strange songs.

Okay, we get it. (I wrote this 23 minutes in, but the sentiment holds for all 59)

Sounds like she’s just making up the melodies as she goes along. Absolutely awful.

3.5/10

Strange! Almost strange in a good way but didn't quite work for me 2.5/5

Ehh, not really my thing

Not my thing at all. The only reason I'm not 1 starring this is because there were some really interesting parts. 90% of the album was so bad though. It was a struggle to get through 1.5 rounded up to 2 ⭐️

What is this? This is not my style I don't like this at all!

Bizarre even by Björk standards. A fun one to listen to and let it take you for a ride.

Bjork is on another plane but this isn’t for me

en fin

I still don't get Bjork. And I think I need to come to terms with the fact that I probably never will. And that's okay.

Wasn't doing anything but irritating me so gave up on it.