I didn't enjoy the singles at first but they all grew on me. I joked with my boyfriend that the mushroom and fungi imagery are a metaphor for how the songs on this album grow on you 😂
Awesome review! I loved Fossora I think its one of her best ever. I would only say is I wish there was a song where the intense gabber was turned up to 100%. I agree that too much of it would've detracted from the album, but I needed one moment that felt like a climax. The title track's ending was kinda like that for me but I think she should've added 1 min-1 min 30 sec more to the ending with more variations. I feel like it would've rounded out the album better and hone in the "fun mushroom underground club" aspect of this album.
Fossora is certainly an experience that you are either prepared for, or not. I can guarantee there are things I missed in my first listen, and I'm looking forward to discovering those things with each listen. Overall I truly enjoyed it and look forward to it growing on me even more.
Thanks for your thoughts on the album. I was yearning for solid and professional points of view, and it’s what your video offers. I am so happy for this album because I have the sense that it’s going to be something I will be listening for years, not because it might sound challenging but because of its complexity. Complex things in music may sound discouraging, but also gives you the opportunity to unveil motifs and themes layer by layer. It can took time. And that’s cool.
Ok I've had a proper listen now and I like it. The trick is to listen to the orchestration rather than the vocal melodies, to see the vocal melody as another layer rather than the main focus (like vocal melodies generally are in pop music). Really interesting little interplays and surprising motifs spring up from everywhere. And it's really playful. I have been a bit off Bjork since Vulcinura because it was so emotionally heavy and instrumentally monochrome. But I really feel safe with this record - I can see that if I invest my attention in it I'll be rewarded. I'd still like another Vespertine one day but this is now my favourite Bjork album since Medulla.
Honestly I see an 8 this time.. so far he liked ALL 3 singles , he reviewed them on his weekly round up so that's 3 songs guaranteed he loved out of 13... im sensing an 8 idk 😂
@@2553he & his critic of ovule will be i think for other songs too (not dinamic enough)..we shall see :D we are not allowed to have an opinion until we hear his haha (jk obviously hahaha)
As someone who couldn't stand most of Utopia, I'm so glad that I've enjoyed Fossora. Not yet sure where I would rank it but for now I'm having a blast discovering new things with each listen. Great review.
I'm glad you said you weren't blown away by the singles, I have felt the same but maybe I should give the album more of a chance. I have a theory that Bjork has abandoned melody. Her songs nowadays are all timbral or textural, and the melodies have become very limited in range, repetitative and often recitative-like. I fear all musicians who want to be taken seriously since the 20th century avant-garde have felt the need to 'transcend' melody. I blame Schoenberg. But Radiohead did it as well. As an interesting case study in the decline of melody in Bjork's songs, compare Oceania (from 2007) with Ancestress (from 2022). They both use an incredibly similar rising melodic phrase, but where Oceania develops the phrase with an answering phrase, and a 4-line stanza with traditional tension and release, Ancestress just repeats the one phrase again and again with words that do not scan. So where I understand I'm meant to enjoy it texturally, timbrally and lyric-thematically, I am actually just left yearning for a well-constructed melody like pretty much anything off Vespertine, or Homogenic.
It is way better than Utopia for sure. It is better than Volta too. But not as interesting or cohesive as Vulnicura or Biophilia. And certainly miles away from Vespertine and Medulla, her best works IMO.
My problem with Vulnicura on a personal level was that it was a little too depressing for my tastes. Artistically crafted, yes, but it’s not something I would listen to again compared to Björk’s other albums.
Interesting review and I'm glad there are people that like it but I think this new album is easily her worst. I respect it as an experiment but no track on here did it for me personally. Vulnicura was her peak of recent years in my opinion and I hope she does something like that again in the future.
I agree with this comment. I don't think these reviews and responses are even sincere. People will keep saying it's a great album and they will list it as the least favorite Björk album like they did it for Utopia lol.
I hated it. The sound is cool but there’s no melody or harmony. I like music that gives me strong emotions but this album annoyed me. It sounds like a church hymnal with agonizingly repetitive notes and no resolve. I miss Bjork music. To me her last couple albums sound like she’s trying hard to get Matthew Barney’s attention. We already have Yoko Ono. Bjork is original no doubt but what made me a fan no longer exists in her world. I give it a 3.
I think as a collected work it's more of a composition than just "songs". Took a few listens to really dig in but it's a very sensitive album and I really like it.
@@OnTheFlipSideShow my problem is that this is a product of a 5 year gap. She also claimed is was “music for clubbing in the living room”. I feel like she said that to sell records and that gives me pause. I absolutely adore her. Seen her live many times since 1989 with the Sugar Cubes. These pieces barely have structure and it almost sounds like she didn’t bother to build on the material from a songwriting point of view. She just used the raw material and put it up against sound collages with no attention to the overall arch. If this were a side project I’d be all in but this is a long awaited studio album and for me, it doesn’t rise to the overall greatness of her catalogue. Also, there’s really not much new here. I dunno. I hope it grows on me but i’m Majorly disappointed.
@@mschirmersf Well luckily she doesn't do music for you or for any other ,,fan" on this planet. She's doing it because she has fun with it. If you don't like it, she won't care and nobody else will. :-)
I have no words to describe the disappointment I feel right now after finally listening to this album. It is purely unlistenable. I have been one of Björk's biggest fans for the past 29 years, so please don't tell me that I "just don't get it" or that her music "challenges you" and is "not for everyone." Sometimes, an album is just terrible and that's all there is to it.
Your opinion is your own. I'm not gonna say you don't get it because clearly you've got a different palate. It's a bummer you're not into it but hey that's just how it is sometimes. Thanks for dropping a comment.
Completely agree. This is one of Björk’s best albums in years. The title track is one of the best in her discography.
I didn't enjoy the singles at first but they all grew on me. I joked with my boyfriend that the mushroom and fungi imagery are a metaphor for how the songs on this album grow on you 😂
I had a similar experience.
Awesome review! I loved Fossora I think its one of her best ever. I would only say is I wish there was a song where the intense gabber was turned up to 100%. I agree that too much of it would've detracted from the album, but I needed one moment that felt like a climax. The title track's ending was kinda like that for me but I think she should've added 1 min-1 min 30 sec more to the ending with more variations. I feel like it would've rounded out the album better and hone in the "fun mushroom underground club" aspect of this album.
I agree, hence why it's a 9 in my opinion.
I absolutely agree with everything you said
Fossora is certainly an experience that you are either prepared for, or not. I can guarantee there are things I missed in my first listen, and I'm looking forward to discovering those things with each listen. Overall I truly enjoyed it and look forward to it growing on me even more.
Thanks for your thoughts on the album. I was yearning for solid and professional points of view, and it’s what your video offers. I am so happy for this album because I have the sense that it’s going to be something I will be listening for years, not because it might sound challenging but because of its complexity. Complex things in music may sound discouraging, but also gives you the opportunity to unveil motifs and themes layer by layer. It can took time. And that’s cool.
I have a feeling I'm gonna be sitting with this for a long while
This albums is incredible and amazing
Ok I've had a proper listen now and I like it. The trick is to listen to the orchestration rather than the vocal melodies, to see the vocal melody as another layer rather than the main focus (like vocal melodies generally are in pop music). Really interesting little interplays and surprising motifs spring up from everywhere.
And it's really playful. I have been a bit off Bjork since Vulcinura because it was so emotionally heavy and instrumentally monochrome. But I really feel safe with this record - I can see that if I invest my attention in it I'll be rewarded.
I'd still like another Vespertine one day but this is now my favourite Bjork album since Medulla.
Thank you very much for this. Love your review!
Thank you so much!
Anthony watermelontano will take notes from this video and basically copy every point yet rate it a 7
LOL if he watched this and took anything away from it I'd be flattered.
I think he will rate it a 4:)
Honestly I see an 8 this time.. so far he liked ALL 3 singles , he reviewed them on his weekly round up so that's 3 songs guaranteed he loved out of 13... im sensing an 8 idk 😂
@@2553he no he didnt like ovule:)
@@2553he & his critic of ovule will be i think for other songs too (not dinamic enough)..we shall see :D we are not allowed to have an opinion until we hear his haha (jk obviously hahaha)
As someone who couldn't stand most of Utopia, I'm so glad that I've enjoyed Fossora. Not yet sure where I would rank it but for now I'm having a blast discovering new things with each listen. Great review.
I really loved this album. It's my third favourite tied with Vulnicura.
Album of the year
I’m not a fan of the album myself, but it is fascinating how divisive her music can be.
Truly
I'm glad you said you weren't blown away by the singles, I have felt the same but maybe I should give the album more of a chance.
I have a theory that Bjork has abandoned melody. Her songs nowadays are all timbral or textural, and the melodies have become very limited in range, repetitative and often recitative-like.
I fear all musicians who want to be taken seriously since the 20th century avant-garde have felt the need to 'transcend' melody. I blame Schoenberg. But Radiohead did it as well.
As an interesting case study in the decline of melody in Bjork's songs, compare Oceania (from 2007) with Ancestress (from 2022). They both use an incredibly similar rising melodic phrase, but where Oceania develops the phrase with an answering phrase, and a 4-line stanza with traditional tension and release, Ancestress just repeats the one phrase again and again with words that do not scan.
So where I understand I'm meant to enjoy it texturally, timbrally and lyric-thematically, I am actually just left yearning for a well-constructed melody like pretty much anything off Vespertine, or Homogenic.
It's funny and majestic!
Me: Hmm, I like Anthony Fantano, but I wish there was just a lot more HAIR in his reviews.
This channel: We got you fam.
LOL
It is way better than Utopia for sure. It is better than Volta too. But not as interesting or cohesive as Vulnicura or Biophilia. And certainly miles away from Vespertine and Medulla, her best works IMO.
My problem with Vulnicura on a personal level was that it was a little too depressing for my tastes. Artistically crafted, yes, but it’s not something I would listen to again compared to Björk’s other albums.
I like Fossora a lot, actually...but the new Mars Volta is the album of the year imo.
I wish I liked that new Mars Volta record more.
Interesting review and I'm glad there are people that like it but I think this new album is easily her worst. I respect it as an experiment but no track on here did it for me personally. Vulnicura was her peak of recent years in my opinion and I hope she does something like that again in the future.
Amen!
I agree with this comment. I don't think these reviews and responses are even sincere. People will keep saying it's a great album and they will list it as the least favorite Björk album like they did it for Utopia lol.
Here because Antkneee Fantanooo s**t the bed.
Uhoh what did he say
@@OnTheFlipSideShow Panned it. In short: disjointed, derivative, and lacking focus. He'll do a redux in five years and declare it a masterpiece.
@@YoSoySafeAsMilk That's unsurprising. But hey it is what it is.
I only watch this because needledrop didn’t review it yet. Thanks anyway tho 😂
Fair enough
i think u get another follower
Thanks!
Fuckin a she keeps getting more avant garde. I know that's who she is but still...
That's the way it goes
I hated it. The sound is cool but there’s no melody or harmony. I like music that gives me strong emotions but this album annoyed me. It sounds like a church hymnal with agonizingly repetitive notes and no resolve. I miss Bjork music. To me her last couple albums sound like she’s trying hard to get Matthew Barney’s attention. We already have Yoko Ono. Bjork is original no doubt but what made me a fan no longer exists in her world. I give it a 3.
I think as a collected work it's more of a composition than just "songs". Took a few listens to really dig in but it's a very sensitive album and I really like it.
@@OnTheFlipSideShow my problem is that this is a product of a 5 year gap. She also claimed is was “music for clubbing in the living room”. I feel like she said that to sell records and that gives me pause. I absolutely adore her. Seen her live many times since 1989 with the Sugar Cubes. These pieces barely have structure and it almost sounds like she didn’t bother to build on the material from a songwriting point of view. She just used the raw material and put it up against sound collages with no attention to the overall arch. If this were a side project I’d be all in but this is a long awaited studio album and for me, it doesn’t rise to the overall greatness of her catalogue. Also, there’s really not much new here. I dunno. I hope it grows on me but i’m Majorly disappointed.
@@mschirmersf Well luckily she doesn't do music for you or for any other ,,fan" on this planet. She's doing it because she has fun with it. If you don't like it, she won't care and nobody else will. :-)
Her first album was here best.
debut? definitely not, if anything its her worst... Her best is vespertine
@@starcharter it's not her worst imo
I have no words to describe the disappointment I feel right now after finally listening to this album. It is purely unlistenable. I have been one of Björk's biggest fans for the past 29 years, so please don't tell me that I "just don't get it" or that her music "challenges you" and is "not for everyone." Sometimes, an album is just terrible and that's all there is to it.
It’s okay, Björk isn’t for everyone! Maybe you’ll warm up to her style if you start from her first album and work your way up! 😃
did you know people have opinions and different music tastes? Because it seems like you dont!
also, your definitely not one of her biggest fans lmao
Your opinion is your own. I'm not gonna say you don't get it because clearly you've got a different palate. It's a bummer you're not into it but hey that's just how it is sometimes. Thanks for dropping a comment.
It's okay Pete you're alright