Utopia
by Björk
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 35
  3. Negative: 1 out of 35
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  1. The Independent (UK)
    Nov 22, 2017
    20
    Achingly dull, and self-regardingly solipsistic.

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Best Album of 2017
21
#21 Most Discussed Album of 2017
13
#13 Most Shared Album of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 365 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 285 out of 365
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 365
  3. Negative: 52 out of 365
  1. mortyblub1
    Nov 24, 2017
    2
    Of course Björk fanatics absolutely love this. Then again, they'll love anything this woman puts out. I mean, these are the same people whoOf course Björk fanatics absolutely love this. Then again, they'll love anything this woman puts out. I mean, these are the same people who think Madonna and Lady Gaga are great musicians, so it doesn't shock me that whenever they encounter music that doesn't sound like the conventional pop they're used to consuming, they think it's genius. But truthfully, this album is far from being impressive. In fact, it's Björk's weakest record up to now: a hollow, artificial work by an artist who has forgotten how to write interesting music and desperately resorts to over-the-top electronic production and orchestral arrangements to try to counterbalance her absolute lack of good melodies. She sings in the sense that there is a succession of notes -- but there is not one single moment where she is able to craft an actually captivating tune. None. Björk once said she did not appreciate Bob Dylan because his music "serves as a bed for words." That's, of course, disputable, but anyway, it's kind of funny that that's exactly what she is doing on Utopia: with no good vocal melodies in sight, Björk focuses tremendously on enunciating every word perfectly, on dragging out each syllable. It's clear that she spent a lot of times on these lyrics, which are all very awkwardly written and attempt to come across as intelligent by ridiculously and unnecessarily referencing literature, religion and history. I actually think her gibberish singing on Medúlla is a lot more engaging than what she has to offer here. Maybe she should go back to scatting.

    Many people are mentioning how gorgeous this sounds. Well, of course. Björk employs the same old techniques in order to make her music seem grandiose and epic, but the difference is, her songwriting was actually good until very recently, so all those orchestral and bombastic arragements felt complementary; they added to her already great vocal tunes. Here, they reek of pretense. They want to fool the listener, to trick them into thinking the music is more important than it actually is. I, for one, was not misguided at all by the "transcendental" flutes, harps, choirs, strings and birdsong that kept coming in and out of songs for no reason at all, attempting to impress. Those are artifices any rich musician can use. The actual hard work is writing an interesting and memorable melody, but Björk runs away from that, maybe because she really doesn't have any ideas or maybe because she simply doesn't care, which is just lazy for a songwriter. Oh, how lush this music sounds! Give me a break. I'd rather listen to a well-written acoustic song than to a vacuous but highly orchestral one. The disjointed industrial/glitchy beats (courtesy of Arca) are just there for the sake of it. She is an electronic musician after all, right? We need the beats! How bored I am.

    There are some okay moments in this thing: the incredibly euphoric Arisen My Senses is nice to listen to and Paradisia is a pleasant little interlude. But that's it. This is by far her most inconsequential and forgettable release, an album full of cliches and gimmicks but not a single good composition. I pray that Björk will find some inspiration again. She is lucky to have such a loyal fanbase.    … Full Review »
  2. Seidel
    Nov 24, 2017
    10
    Talented. Brilliant. Incredible. Amazing. Show stopping. Spectacular. Never the same. Totally unique. Completely not ever been done before.Talented. Brilliant. Incredible. Amazing. Show stopping. Spectacular. Never the same. Totally unique. Completely not ever been done before.

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  3. dextralwolf
    Nov 24, 2017
    10
    One hell of an amazing sensory experience. The productions here are sublime. Maybe not everyone will get it per se, but the essence of thisOne hell of an amazing sensory experience. The productions here are sublime. Maybe not everyone will get it per se, but the essence of this album lies in the discordance of the harmonies; the way that the harsh electronic sonic landscape crashes with the airy and heavenly soundscape. Both of these elements are constantly fighting for dominance in many songs, most notable is 'Losss' and 'Courtship'.

    For those without the patience to process it, many songs seemed to fall apart in discord, but for those patient enough to process a lot of things going on in many of the compositions, they will find unexpected harmony in the dissonance; amidst the clashing of the harsh beats and airy flutes, the songs worked in unexpected ways.

    Outstanding tracks: Utopia, Losss, Saint, Body Memory    … Full Review »
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