Volta
by Björk
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: May 8, 2007
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 317 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 242 out of 317
  2. Mixed: 46 out of 317
  3. Negative: 29 out of 317

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  1. someonewhocares
    Oct 5, 2022
    7
    Volta lacks consistency and catchy melodies. Apart from "Earth Intruders" and the masterpiece "Declare Independence", none of the other songs are catchy at all and it kinda proves that the album isn't as well thought out as Bjork thought it to be. Yes Indeed a bold experiment that somehow went well as well as going wrong, the sounds from throughout the world added to the songs and theVolta lacks consistency and catchy melodies. Apart from "Earth Intruders" and the masterpiece "Declare Independence", none of the other songs are catchy at all and it kinda proves that the album isn't as well thought out as Bjork thought it to be. Yes Indeed a bold experiment that somehow went well as well as going wrong, the sounds from throughout the world added to the songs and the flawless transitions, help put this record back together for a semi-solid project. Volta isn't her best, but die-hard fans should definitely find this record bold and unique.… Expand
  2. All_ButTrU4
    May 1, 2022
    3
    An unforgiving sprawling mess that uncharacteristically provides no merit. It's difficult to digest in the same way sh*t is.
  3. Tchierbatsky
    Dec 2, 2020
    10
    Mostly of the songs have a nice miss of sounds and instruments , lirycly it's embrace a more wide range of subjects and is poetically crafted to assure the reality and the fantastic of the Bjork universe that in each sound never goes pedantic.
  4. potasioxd
    Aug 29, 2020
    9
    es uno de mis álbumes favoritos y por el que descubrí a björk. la implementación de las trompetas es sublime. desde mi punto de vista lo considero conceptual. es perfecto tal y como es. mis canciones favoritas son todo el álbum.
  5. ManuelContreras
    Apr 7, 2018
    8
    Posiblemente el album mas infravalorado de la cantante, y no se porque, el album es demasiado bueno
  6. adk012
    Nov 27, 2017
    8
    An interesting piece of art from beginning to end, at some points falling lower than others but worth a listen. The instrumentation is one of the most intriguing qualities, a cultural exploration.
  7. Felipecritic
    Oct 31, 2017
    7
    Em Volta é possível ver uma Björk nova: trabalhando com Timbaland e mesclando seu estilo com o dele. Isso resulta em uma batida R&B com a sonoridade e dramaticidade de Björk.
  8. triangles19
    Jul 24, 2017
    10
    Volta is the pop-album of Björk's discography. Each song have a different volume. From the slowest intimate ballad ("Pneumonia"), to the biggest electronic dance rhythms ("Declare Independence"), the album is the reflect of the human feelings rainbow. "Vertebrae To Vertebrae" is a highlight in her discography.
  9. arteanjo
    Dec 18, 2016
    10
    O melhor álbum da Björk sem dúvida nenhuma, não possui nenhuma falha. Uma pena ser esquecido pelos fãs pela sonoridade mais puxada ao pop e produções de Timbaland e Danja.
  10. marcmyworks
    Oct 5, 2016
    6
    Volta is my least favourite Bjork album. Though it does contain some excellent production from Timbaland and Danja, overall the album feels rushed and frankly is not terribly interesting. Some of the single remixes are better than the actual tracks. Download: Earth Intruders, Declare Independence.
  11. Juan12353
    Aug 7, 2016
    9
    1. Earth Intruders 10/10
    2. Wanderlust 9.8/10
    3. The Dull Flame Of Desire 9/10
    4. Innocence 10/10
    5. I See Who You Are 9.5/10
    6. Vertebrae By Vertebrae 9/10
    7. Pneumonia 9.1/10
    8. Hope 10/10
    9. Declare Independence 10/10
    10. My Juvenile 9.8/10
  12. arcanjo
    Jan 28, 2016
    8
    I like how its both thoughtful, introspective at sometimes like in Pneumonia and My Juvenile and both energitic and effortless like Earth Intruders and Wanderlust. The thing about this album that make it seem bad for some, are the way the music flow throught the album. there are many inteeruptions like I See Who You Are right after the Explosive Innocence, Veertebrae by Vertebrar rightI like how its both thoughtful, introspective at sometimes like in Pneumonia and My Juvenile and both energitic and effortless like Earth Intruders and Wanderlust. The thing about this album that make it seem bad for some, are the way the music flow throught the album. there are many inteeruptions like I See Who You Are right after the Explosive Innocence, Veertebrae by Vertebrar right before the reflexive Pneumonia.… Expand
  13. melanieuk
    Jan 28, 2016
    10
    Declare independence
    Don't let them do that to you
    Declare independence
    Don't let them do that to you
    Justice
    Start your own currency
    Make your own stamp
    Protect your language
  14. Evic21
    Nov 15, 2015
    7
    Although Bjork's vocals are on point, I find this album to be a weaker effort than her previous work; however, it is still good. The main issue I have with this album is that the horn sections in the songs all kind of sound the same which makes this album seem redundant. On the bright side, I love the spunk and energy of this album especially on tracks like "Innocence" and "Wanderlust".Although Bjork's vocals are on point, I find this album to be a weaker effort than her previous work; however, it is still good. The main issue I have with this album is that the horn sections in the songs all kind of sound the same which makes this album seem redundant. On the bright side, I love the spunk and energy of this album especially on tracks like "Innocence" and "Wanderlust". It's not her best, but it is still worth the listen.… Expand
  15. Aijixe
    Sep 24, 2015
    6
    Bjork's voice is the only sure standout of Volta. Otherwise it feels too produced to believe it came after Medulla. Granted, it's the best album Timbaland has ever produced.
  16. CharlieGray
    Sep 10, 2015
    10
    This album it's soooooo good. Not my favourite by Björk, but it stills being amazing.
    Freaking amazing, just as she wants to.
    ........................
  17. Melomaniac
    Jun 5, 2015
    9
    I doubt Volta is Björk's best album to date, but is arguably her most organic, viscerally transparent, sonically challenging and fully-textured; and that's more than enough to call it just brilliant.

    8.7/10
  18. jasonhicks23
    Mar 2, 2015
    10
    I honestly cannot believe that people call this her worst album when Biophilia exists. This is the one that got me introduced to her work and I find it funny that people say "stay away from this album if you want to start listening to her! Terrible introductory album." To each their own, I guess.
  19. vicxxx
    Jan 22, 2015
    10
    I love this album, it is not one of her best but also it is still bad because of it, declare independence is the best oh god music I want to go crazy when I hear this song, björk is the best.
  20. perUmbram
    Oct 29, 2013
    8
    Exuberant, adventurous, sometimes a bit overindulgent narrative of a globalizing world. Contains some of Björks best lyrics (like Innocence) yet is sometimes marred by a somewhat overenthousiastic Timbaland-beat (Earth Intruders and Innocence). The more overt Björk-tracks have been criticized of being adrift and not having any direction but there's a superb beauty in this moreExuberant, adventurous, sometimes a bit overindulgent narrative of a globalizing world. Contains some of Björks best lyrics (like Innocence) yet is sometimes marred by a somewhat overenthousiastic Timbaland-beat (Earth Intruders and Innocence). The more overt Björk-tracks have been criticized of being adrift and not having any direction but there's a superb beauty in this more narrative-like style. Collaborations with Antony Hegarty (The Dull Flame of Desire) and Mark Bell (I See Who You Are, Declare Independence) take centre-stage here while the overly present Timbaland-collaborations fade a bit.… Expand
  21. ernis_v
    Oct 28, 2013
    8
    Volta is as crazy as the artwork the first part is energetic, thumping and all over the place, while the the second is more mature, pensieve and philosophical.
  22. AlessandroOdo
    May 12, 2013
    9
    A very confusing album (when we talk about the lyrics), the sound is enough to please whatever person who enjoy Bjork's work. Each song is completely different from the other at the sound. The best is Wanderlust, it makes you dance in your room. I think she could do a better work with the last songs, at the last part the album turns a little boring, but this is a really good CD.
  23. LuizCC
    Jul 30, 2012
    7
    Her sixth album, I felt, it was a recap of all the work she had done until. It brings up the vicious beats from 'Debut' and 'Post', the high level songwriting of 'Homogenic' and the passionate voice tone from both 'Vespertine' and 'Medúlla'. That said, she sounded a bit tired along the songs, as if she knew it was just a big remix of all her other albums. But even Bjork in herHer sixth album, I felt, it was a recap of all the work she had done until. It brings up the vicious beats from 'Debut' and 'Post', the high level songwriting of 'Homogenic' and the passionate voice tone from both 'Vespertine' and 'Medúlla'. That said, she sounded a bit tired along the songs, as if she knew it was just a big remix of all her other albums. But even Bjork in her lowest levels can stand out making an album better than other artists.… Expand
  24. CalR
    Feb 20, 2012
    5
    The opening tracks re-establish Bjork as the strange pop icon we all grew to love, but something terrible happens in the second half, with mute arrangements, and a lack of vocal diversity, her experimentation's infiltrate this pop album leaving the fans feeling a little betrayed and bewildered by it all. 'Earth Intruders' is still great though.
  25. BakaNaGaijin
    Oct 11, 2011
    5
    Simply the worst album of Bjork's career, filled with incoherent songs and silly lyrics. Avoid this if you are not a die-hard fan of the Icelandic oddball and don't buy this as her first record.
  26. ykii
    Jun 24, 2011
    10
    Fantastic, massive, true, limitless, full of hope, full of energy... Volta has a beauty in not a normal way, it lives not in you ,but, through you, all around you... It`s eternal like energy itself.
  27. OlegV.
    Feb 2, 2009
    10
    Dull Flame Of Desire is an incredibly amazing and touching tune - my favourite in last 5 years. It brings me to tears every time I listen to it (ok, now - not but first 20 listens it did :). I See Who Your Are is another tune here which brings to tears. Declare Independence is an amazing electroindustrial energetic, but Pheumonia is one of her most beautiful "quiet" songs. The whole album Dull Flame Of Desire is an incredibly amazing and touching tune - my favourite in last 5 years. It brings me to tears every time I listen to it (ok, now - not but first 20 listens it did :). I See Who Your Are is another tune here which brings to tears. Declare Independence is an amazing electroindustrial energetic, but Pheumonia is one of her most beautiful "quiet" songs. The whole album is as good as her other work, here are only two songs which did not work for me: Wanderlust and My Juvenile. Interesting a lot of fans claim Wandelust as on the the best :) And I think Innocence is too poppy and has too much of Timbaland but it's fine. Earth Intruders shows a perfect balance betweet Timbaland's and Bjork's producing.… Expand
  28. SimonB
    May 14, 2008
    0
    How come with every single artist that makes complete psychotic gibberish his or her artstyle, there are people claiming things in the nature of the cock-eyed argument that GOD MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS? I listened to this album and I find that all of her songs are nothing but noise. It's Björk WITH instruments. This should be referred to as a single instrument which makes lots How come with every single artist that makes complete psychotic gibberish his or her artstyle, there are people claiming things in the nature of the cock-eyed argument that GOD MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS? I listened to this album and I find that all of her songs are nothing but noise. It's Björk WITH instruments. This should be referred to as a single instrument which makes lots of noise. Björk resorts to yelling a bunch of stuff at different tones and intervalls and calls this music. I'd like to consider that seeing an artist live will make me appreciate their music better... But excuse me, that means the album is shit and her prestations are good. Björk is a visual musical artist. Notice what's wrong here? The only way she can be awesome is through looks. Her music... It. SUCKS. ASS. She picks bits and pieces from other types of musics and just goes on having a seizure. The song "The Dull flame of Desire" was the worst torturous piece of trash I've ever heard in my life. I don't know how long it is but to me, it felt like twenty minutes of a girl and a guy having auditory sex, REPEATING "THE DULL FLAME OF DESSZZZZAAYURRRRRRRR" ... I liked some of her older songs which I'd hear at random, but this... THIS IS GARBAGE! Only buy this shit if you're a fan. I still feel damn dumb I bought it and I deserve to be shunned.… Expand
  29. ChrisK
    Oct 2, 2007
    10
    Bjork is my favorite singer of all time. The only problem with her is that she is soo ahead of her time it is ridiculous and that is why alot of people(including myself when i first heard her) don't get her music.... but after seeing her live performing volta i was blown away..... if you want to hear volta at its best download the mp3 of her at coachella 2007.
  30. AaronR
    Aug 12, 2007
    4
    Bjork seems to have been aiming at musical abstract art with this album(as with Medulla) instead of real musical art, as her previous albums were. Most of the songs on this album sound make you feel like you're in an art gallary, watching a bunch of wealthy socialites admire a canvas with random pocka dots all over the place. I must say, I don't get it, and I question the Bjork seems to have been aiming at musical abstract art with this album(as with Medulla) instead of real musical art, as her previous albums were. Most of the songs on this album sound make you feel like you're in an art gallary, watching a bunch of wealthy socialites admire a canvas with random pocka dots all over the place. I must say, I don't get it, and I question the sincerity of those who think the album is awesome.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Most Discussed Album of 2007
19
#19 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Rolling Stone
    70
    Volta is arguably Bjork's loosest and most ruminative record, and though it touches on everything she's ever done, it's not as gripping or coherent as her best stuff.
    Read full review
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    70
    Listen intently, repeatedly, and you'll hear much to widen your consciousness... But listen for, you know, enjoyment and you'll be left wanting.
    Read full review
  3. Slant Magazine
    70
    Every song on Volta sounds like it was birthed in no fewer than 10 months, if not five years. "Fun" hardly has an opportunity to enter the picture when Björk's now seemingly permanent fastidiousness remains her métier.
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