Biophilia

by Bjoerk

Overview

Over the years, the packaging of Bjoerk's albums grew famously, and increasingly, elaborate, but Biophilia is the first Bjoerk project where the set of songs isn't the complete package. Designed as a suite of interactive iPad and iPhone apps that explore humanity's relationships with sound and the universe, the album's concept was so grand that it began as a musical house and ended up including scientists, engineers, video game designers, and film directors among Bjoerk's collaborators. Biophilia's boldest innovations are in its presentation rather than in the actual music, which is surprisingly subtle and intimate given the concept's immense scope, but the perfect size to be cradled in a lap or palm. Bjoerk recorded parts of the album on an iPad, and these songs retain that intimacy. They also recall Vespertine, which was made primarily on a laptop and also kept the closeness of its creation, as well as Homogenic's percussive onslaughts, particularly on the literally volcanic "Mutual Core." Minus the project's other layers, Biophilia sometimes feels like a soundtrack; songs such as the album-opening "Moon" are so soft and delicate that they take a while to reveal themselves without their corresponding visuals. But just because the music is only one part of the Biophilia experience doesn't mean it's unsatisfying. Bjoerk embodies each song's musical, scientific, and emotional concepts fully and cleverly: "Crystalline"'s insistent repetition captures mineral formations shooting out of the ground, especially when drum'n'bass beats explode halfway through the song. Biophilia's educational side is never boring, in part because Bjoerk relates bigger phenomena to easily understood, and often tangible, occurrences; the earth is tilted on its axis like a human heart, and DNA is an "everlasting necklace." The gorgeous "Virus" expresses its multiplying phrases in a love song with facts and emotions in perfect harmony: "Like a virus needs a body/As soft tissue feeds on blood/Someday I'll find you/The urge is here." However, the most exciting thing about Biophilia is how it expresses the cycle of discovery and wonder. Knowledge and mystery don't have to be enemies: on "Cosmogony," science and spirituality hold hands and creation myths sit next to facts. Bjoerk holds the sheer magnitude of the album together with repeated motifs -- moons, stars, pearls, hearts, hands, and above all generosity -- that reflect Biophilia's layered meanings of love, life, and love of life. The album even completes an orbit with "Solstice" -- which features gravity harps built especially for this project (the CD version of the album also features three bonus tracks, including the hurtling, previously unreleased "Nattura"). Expectations run high whenever Bjoerk announces a new album: how will she top herself? Biophilia is easily her most ambitious project as a whole, but its music is more about completion than competition, even against herself. Educational and emotional in a uniquely approachable way, these songs are a lovely part of a bigger picture. ~ Heather Phares

Product Details

Release Date:	10/11/2019
Label:	One Little Indian
UPC:	5016958089085

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bjoerk   Primary Artist,Bass
Vigdis Sigurdjardottir   Choir/Chorus
Erla Axelsdottir   French Horn
Harpa Johannsdottir   Trombone
Saerun Osk Palmadottir   French Horn
Brian Chippendale   Drums
Sara Cutler   Harp
Jon Stefansson   Choir Conductor
16 Bit   Bass
Ragnhildur Gunnarsdottir   Trumpet
Sigrun Jonsdottir   Trombone
Arnheidjur Eiriksdottir   Choir/Chorus
Asdis Bjoerg Gestsdottir   Choir/Chorus
Asdis Eva Olafsdottir   Choir/Chorus
Asta AEgisdottir   Choir/Chorus
Audjur Albertsdottir   Choir/Chorus
Bergljot Rafnar Karlsdottir   Choir/Chorus
Brynja Gudjmundsdottir   Tuba
Drifa Oervarsdottir   Choir/Chorus
Elin Edda Sigurdjardottir   Choir/Chorus
Erla Maria Markusdottir   Choir/Chorus
Matthew Herbert   Synthesizer Bass
Erla Run Gudjmundsdottir   Choir/Chorus
Ester Audjunsdottir   Choir/Chorus
Eyglo Hoeskuldsdottir Viborg   Choir/Chorus
Fifa Jonsdottir   Choir/Chorus
Gigja Gylfadottir   Choir/Chorus
Gigja Haraldsdottir   Choir/Chorus
Gudjrun M. Sigurbergsdottir   Choir/Chorus
Jona G. Kolbrunardottir   Choir/Chorus
Kristin Anna Gudjmundsdottir   Choir/Chorus
Kristin Einarsdottir Maentylae   Choir/Chorus
Kristin Sveinsdottir   Choir/Chorus
Li Ming Yeung   Trombone
Lilja Valdimarsdottir   French Horn
Sigrun Osk Johannesdottir   Choir/Chorus
Sigurborg Skuladottir Kaldal   Choir/Chorus
Carol Emanuel   Harp
Mark Bell   Electronics
Thom Yorke   Vocals (Background)
Zeena Parkins   Harp
Shelley Burgon   Harp
Jessica Buzbee   Trombone
Bergrun Snaebjoernsdottir   French Horn
Unnur Sigurdjardottir   Choir/Chorus
Valdis Þorkelsdottir   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Oddny Eir AEuarsdottir   Composer,Lyricist
Mathias Augustyniak   Art Direction
Oddny Eir Avarsdottir   Composer
Damian Taylor   Beat Programming,Drum Programming,Beats,Design,Mixing,Concept,Composer,Engineer,Programming
Brian Chippendale   Composer
Sveinn Kjartansson   Engineer
Sjon   Composer,Lyricist
David McDuff   English Translations
Michael Amzalag   Art Direction
Joe LaPorta   Mastering
Inez VanLamsweerde   Photography
Vinoodh Matadin   Photography
Pablo Diaz-Reixa   Bass Programming,Beat Programming,Drum Programming
Brian Hernandez   Engineer
Henry Dagg   Adaptation
16 Bit   Beats,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Beat Programming
Bjoergvin Tomasson   Organ Maker
Bjoerk   Programming,Beat Programming,Drum Programming,Brass Arrangement,Choir Arrangement,Organ Arrangement,Vocal Arrangement,Harpsichord Arrangement,Beats,Mixing,Concept,Arranger,Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Matthew Herbert   Beats,Programming
Eugene Souleiman   Hair Stylist
Iris Van Herpen   Clothing/Wardrobe
Lisa Butler   Make-Up
Manu Delagu   Arranger
Mario DeJesus   Engineer
Mark Bell   Composer,Programming
Derek Birkett   Producer
Emily Lazar   Mastering
Cameron Craig   Engineer
Matt Robertson   Score Preparation
Andy Baldwin   Engineer