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10.0
101031
10.0 |
A.V. Club
As with most Björk records, Utopia is a lot to take in, and we’ll be absorbing it for a long time
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9.0
101038
9.0 |
Exclaim
Utopia feels like both a journey and a collection of statements that define and affirm who Björk is
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9.0
101066
9.0 |
Tiny Mix Tapes
See review
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9.0
101069
9.0 |
The 405
Utopia sees Björk demonstrating newfound strength and optimism, painting in bright shades and surrounding herself with the sounds of her own Eden
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9.0
101363
9.0 |
Mixmag
An album you’ll want to return to again and again
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8.5
101003
8.5 |
Spectrum Culture
Björk’s genius is needed more than ever
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8.4
101065
8.4 |
Pitchfork
Filled with flute and birdsong, Björk’s 10th album is deeply personal, a discovery of googly-eyed romance, a rebuke of violent men, and a generous offering of love song after love song
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8.3
101001
8.3 |
Consequence Of Sound
The Icelandic singer returns with a thriving sound world rich in nuance and detail
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8.0
101004
8.0 |
The Skinny
There are no clear cut 'hits' as such, and the album clearly begs to be enjoyed as a whole entity rather than have its innards plucked and picked at. However, if given your full attention, it will transport you to paradise
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8.0
101006
8.0 |
Q
It’s like walking through a vast tropical greenhouse, full of sunlight and twittering birds. Print edition only
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8.0
101008
8.0 |
Uncut
Utopia really delivers on the transcendent promise of its title with the closing "Future Forever". Print edition only
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8.0
101039
8.0 |
NME
‘Utopia’ is where art, real life and deep experimentation intersects, and it’s utterly compelling
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8.0
101048
8.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
On her longest album to date, she has given herself the space to embrace the natural world as well as continuing to reckon with her past
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8.0
101049
8.0 |
Evening Standard
There’s nothing resembling a versechorus pop song but there are moments where it all threatens to coalesce into the purest beauty
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8.0
101057
8.0 |
The Observer
Björk exudes a lust for life again on her self-styled ‘Tinder album’, a hope-filled set powered by flutes and birdsong
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8.0
101062
8.0 |
Drowned In Sound
Both musically and lyrically, Utopia is extraordinarily gripping and majestically consistent in its intent to shake and uplift
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8.0
101032
8.0 |
Crack
With a running time near 70 minutes and little care given for formalities of structure, this ranks among her most esoteric creations
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8.0
101076
8.0 |
Rolling Stone
Utopia mostly sends the orchestra packing, building its bright-lit world around bird-song samples, flutes, harp, choir and electronics, with input from innovative co-producers Arca and Rabit
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8.0
101080
8.0 |
Earbuddy
A fascinating album, one which she crafted with Arca. Together, they make beautiful music where the songs come to life in a futuristic sheen of tranquil wonder
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8.0
101097
8.0 |
God Is In The TV
Björk’s lyrics compliment the world-transforming music well
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8.0
101106
8.0 |
NOW
She has always channelled bliss and joy into compelling music, but Utopia’s take on love is more than pure feeling; it’s the basis for a personal and political manifesto
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8.0
101145
8.0 |
musicOMH
If you’re willing to give it your full attention, this is a frequently stunning record. It may often be difficult, but like most hard work, Utopia reaps its own rewards
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8.0
101167
8.0 |
PopMatters
On her latest album, Björk leaves heartbreak behind and shares a dazzling world of love and perfection
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8.0
101173
8.0 |
Resident Advisor
The dark liquid that once represented Björk's emptiness becomes a source of love that gushes and flows through her. Where once it felt suffocating, here it feels open and endless
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7.0
101112
7.0 |
No Ripcord
This is Bjork’s way of sending a fond farewell to the past, as she undergoes some changes with a positive embracev
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7.0
101025
7.0 |
The Music
Protracted, luxurious and messy. While each song has its moments of immediacy, the overall album will take listeners a while to assimilate and appreciate
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7.0
101005
7.0 |
Slant Magazine
Utopia represents an earnest desire to reconcile a yearning for future happiness with the pain of the past
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7.0
101002
7.0 |
Loud And Quiet
The music ripples and eddies below, offering texture, scenery, or a sonic set of stage directions to accompany the drama
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6.5
101023
6.5 |
Under The Radar
Utopia, for all its new tricks and ideas, still sounds very much like a Björk record, meaning it will neither disappoint her dedicated base nor catch the casually interested much off guard
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6.0
101073
6.0 |
The Arts Desk
'Utopia' has elements of whalesong, dolphin echo and flute that could be a relaxation track on your Spotify 'Meditate' playlist
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6.0
101104
6.0 |
DIY
While there’s nearly always a sense of beauty embedded within ‘Utopia’ though, there’s also a feeling of harshness
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6.0
101014
6.0 |
The FT
Björk’s Utopia is a place where harp, a flute orchestra, rapturous singing, modern classical music and skittish experimental beats are intended to coexist in perfect harmony
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6.0
101007
6.0 |
Mojo
The best moments, and arguably the most convincing ones, come when Bjork allows Vulnicura’s pain to erupt back into these songs. Print edition only
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6.0
101030
6.0 |
The Guardian
The musician’s self-professed ‘Tinder album’ spins from ecstasy to frustration by focusing more on soundscapes than melody
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5.8
101081
5.8 |
Gig Soup
Clocking in at over 70-minutes there's a lot to digest, but the focus on soundscapes over melody and conventional song structures makes this a difficult album to connect with
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2.0
101017
2.0 |
The Independent
Achingly dull, and self-regardingly solipsistic
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