Utopia
by Björk
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
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  1. All_ButTrU4
    May 1, 2022
    8
    Challenging, beautiful and spellbinding. It feels therapeutic, like dreaming. But unlike dreams which are short and fleeting Utopia is a languid challenging listen that fails to justify it's length. It almost blends into one big song and although that one big song is an indulgent marvel it can much like too much of a sweet thing leave you full and dissatisfied on continuing.
  2. Mamacita666
    Feb 4, 2022
    10
    É um ótimo album, podendo ser facilmente considerado um dos melhores albuns de 2017
  3. Iconicyas
    Dec 10, 2021
    7
    It's honestly such a great album, it shows how much the Icelandic pop star has evolved after her harrowing divorce. I think it's a great album but not really her best, i think what's more important is how she feels after that divorce, utopia showcases how happy she was after releasing vulnicura and letting all of the sadness fade away, and focusing on the future, so the idea of this albumIt's honestly such a great album, it shows how much the Icelandic pop star has evolved after her harrowing divorce. I think it's a great album but not really her best, i think what's more important is how she feels after that divorce, utopia showcases how happy she was after releasing vulnicura and letting all of the sadness fade away, and focusing on the future, so the idea of this album is so good like a post-apocalyptic utopia where people and birds emerged to with flutes...creative.
    With Arca's production it totally sounded better but what ruined the album was those bird noises especially in 'The Gate' and generally the rest of the album, as i stated earlier it's a highly creative album but some of the production kind of ruined it, The flutes are so amazing especially in "Courtship", and well lyrically i think it's her third best album when it comes to the lyrics, Those lyrics portrait how she felt post and before the divorce, courtships, people after the apocalypse in the what so called utopia.
    So far a great album not her best.    … Expand
  4. JEMR
    Oct 30, 2021
    8
    Here we go again, there's more to discover in here than in the whole Reggaeton genre. Guðmundsdóttir did what we were not expecting for, but we already knew she could give us.
  5. avangardddddddd
    Sep 17, 2021
    7
    Björk’s and Arca’s joint album is actually something that has never been done before. Utopia is not just an album, in my opinion, it is an essence of en vogue sounds which are totally unique and futuristic.
    Of course, this composition has its own pros and cons. The futurism, innovativeness of represented tracks should be called the biggest advantage of the whole album. Besides, “Utopia”    Björk’s and Arca’s joint album is actually something that has never been done before. Utopia is not just an album, in my opinion, it is an essence of en vogue sounds which are totally unique and futuristic.
    Of course, this composition has its own pros and cons. The futurism, innovativeness of represented tracks should be called the biggest advantage of the whole album. Besides, “Utopia” goes precisely beyond its time, simultaneously fighting with the dystopian world that Arca’s created in her self-titled album. “Utopia” shows us something shimmeringly aesthetic, sometimes it reminds me SOPHIE’s debut album “Oil Of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides” (which was released in 2018 though), especially the end of her most famous song “Faceshopping”.
    Glimmering of all tracks coexists with strange (sometimes worshiping) vocals of Björk. Some songs are suitable for the Björk’s voice, for instance, “Arisen My Senses”. But fabulousness of some songs is deeply connected with weird compositions, and I can’t really understand them. “Claimstaker” is one of the most disappointing tracks of this album. It fills you up with different feelings, but these feelings usually come together, interrupting each other. You expect the song to be mysterious and miraculous, but instead you hear those multiple voices of Björk that are not really connected and constructed.
    Hearing a flute every single time is good, but kind of old-fashioned. I can’t say a flute doesn’t fit the futuristic sound that Arca usually shows, but this instrument reminds me some folk singers, who are not futuristic at all. In my opinion, those songs could be less naturalistic and more synthetic because it actually resembles the future.
    In conclusion I would like to say that “Utopia” is a good album to listen to. Evergreen forests appear in your head when you feel the atmosphere of this album. I cannot say anything bad about the production or the quality of the content, but honestly, this composition doesn’t look like a total avantpop. It sounds rather “earthy” than “cosmic”. That’s why it is 7/10    … Expand
  6. bringthelight
    Nov 20, 2020
    9
    Bjork never misses the opportunity to innovate and show the world how to do truly artistic work, in Utopia she probably delivered her most experimental and challenging work, the sparkling sounds of nature mingle with the murmurs of her voice around self-reflection and rediscovery , after Vulnicura's journey.
  7. Thonny
    Oct 26, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Moderna, llena de vida, una experiencia alucinante. Para mí es musicoterapia.… Expand
  8. prestonhung
    Aug 4, 2019
    8
    'Utopia' contains some soothing and melodically superior tracks. Although it is Bjork most bloated album running over 70 minutes, the album is "bloated with messages". Songs like "Utopia", "Arisen My Senses" and "Losss" are the album's highlights, but tracks such as "Claimstaker" and "Saint" are rather the typical hard-to-stomach Bjork tracks.
    Strongest Tracks: "Arisen My Senses",    'Utopia' contains some soothing and melodically superior tracks. Although it is Bjork most bloated album running over 70 minutes, the album is "bloated with messages". Songs like "Utopia", "Arisen My Senses" and "Losss" are the album's highlights, but tracks such as "Claimstaker" and "Saint" are rather the typical hard-to-stomach Bjork tracks.
    Strongest Tracks: "Arisen My Senses", "Blissing Me", "Utopia", "Body Memory", "Features Creatures", "Losss", "Sue Me"    … Expand
  9. marcosarf
    Jun 13, 2019
    8
    There's something about this album that I can't explain. I see the flaws, but at the same time, it's not like they want to hide it: it's the human part n this eccentric album.
    the only thing I really think is off is the name: Utopia. I do not think it represents the album. I could divide the album in 3 different parts: the Utopian Dimension , a vessel of love - from arisen my senses up to    There's something about this album that I can't explain. I see the flaws, but at the same time, it's not like they want to hide it: it's the human part n this eccentric album.
    the only thing I really think is off is the name: Utopia. I do not think it represents the album. I could divide the album in 3 different parts: the Utopian Dimension , a vessel of love - from arisen my senses up to utopia... then , you enter another dimension: the women vs men in an endless love-pain relation from body memory up to tabula rasa. Then, you enter earth, where you celebrate it, with music that heals and embraces a positive future. The name should give another perspective, more accurate of the 3 topics . Good album, very different in it's 3 dimensions.    … Expand
  10. xentos
    Jan 12, 2019
    7
    It is simply astonishing. Her most dazzling and provacotive album to date because it wants you to react to it and have opinions about it. Lyrically it is not strong as vulnicura but it describes a world full of deeply felt emotions and it drives you into that world leaving you to experience it on your own with your own perspective. At the end you learn that a persons utopia can includeIt is simply astonishing. Her most dazzling and provacotive album to date because it wants you to react to it and have opinions about it. Lyrically it is not strong as vulnicura but it describes a world full of deeply felt emotions and it drives you into that world leaving you to experience it on your own with your own perspective. At the end you learn that a persons utopia can include pain and struggle as well as happiness and hope. And it is important to say that, from a soundscape point of view, Utopia outdid Vulnicura’s achievement and made an effort to be beautiful in a different and unique way. It is a long and tiring ride but you have to let is sink in and let it take you to a journey. And do not worry about quality experience because the album becomes a whole slowly, step by step like a piece of puzzle of love, hope, regret and so on.… Expand
  11. AlejoMTZ
    Jun 16, 2018
    9
    Well, I Think is really good, but Vespertine and Vulnicura are better than this album, but this is one of her best works.
  12. u137288reddit
    May 10, 2018
    7
    Probably one of her weaker album's but she's set a very high bar. The atmosphere on this album can range from really intriguing to bloated, possibly due to the increased atmospherism found on the album. Nevertheless, her voice is still strong, and she and Arca do work well together.
  13. ArisenMySenses
    Feb 27, 2018
    9
    Lush and detailed, she is and always will be an innovator. Arca has catered his sound very well to her and together have made a blissful album.
  14. I_Trick_Myself
    Jan 19, 2018
    10
    What a gem! This is absolutely Bjork coming back with an Icelandic vengeance. I would admit that albums such as Volta didn't really do it for me, and while the last album was an improvement, I was still harping back to 'the good old days' - hate that! But this is for me her finest work - good proof of this is the number of times I get all tingly, the singing is so evocative, and the musicWhat a gem! This is absolutely Bjork coming back with an Icelandic vengeance. I would admit that albums such as Volta didn't really do it for me, and while the last album was an improvement, I was still harping back to 'the good old days' - hate that! But this is for me her finest work - good proof of this is the number of times I get all tingly, the singing is so evocative, and the music just so suits - what a collaboration between these two geniuses.

    Bjork, always inspirational and proudly different (or just I guess necessarily so, what I mean by that is that this is true art - a itch that needs to be scratched by the artist, no pandering to what may or may not sell). One of my favourite Bjork songs is headphones, and this album needs just those to be fully appreciated.    … Expand
  15. FranciscoReview
    Jan 13, 2018
    10
    amo el album, es hermoso me cautiva, lo mejor que e escuchado este año, merece grandes permios.
  16. juliandcardona
    Jan 4, 2018
    10
    Adéntrate a la aterradora atmosfera que este álbum te ofrece, rico en sonidos y rico en contenido lírico. Establecido e inigualable.
  17. Fabricio70
    Dec 23, 2017
    10
    Bjork again shows that doing his thing is unique. Any other musician can be placed in a specific space, except her. She shows again with this album, full of nuances and much more oppressive than his previous Vulnicura. It is the longest of his career and it really is appreciated that it is so. It has beautiful and soft themes, other aggressive and challenging and a handful that make youBjork again shows that doing his thing is unique. Any other musician can be placed in a specific space, except her. She shows again with this album, full of nuances and much more oppressive than his previous Vulnicura. It is the longest of his career and it really is appreciated that it is so. It has beautiful and soft themes, other aggressive and challenging and a handful that make you cry. Thank you for once again demonstrating that we are not facing someone trying to "shape" the critics and leave their career stagnant. (Sorry my english)… Expand
  18. MichaelPaints
    Dec 20, 2017
    9
    A stunning, lush, and love-filled album from Björk. One of her best yet and proof that her passionate search for new sounds, ideas, and collaborations is never-ending and ever-rewarding.
  19. Evic21
    Dec 5, 2017
    8
    At first, Utopia presents itself as a challenging body of work. With time, it unravels into something more accessible than Vulnicura. Filled with vibrant flutes and scattered electronics, it's probably her most sparse album. It demands attention and if you make it to "Future Forever", you'll realize even though it's deeply empty, it's a reflection of the present, the environment andAt first, Utopia presents itself as a challenging body of work. With time, it unravels into something more accessible than Vulnicura. Filled with vibrant flutes and scattered electronics, it's probably her most sparse album. It demands attention and if you make it to "Future Forever", you'll realize even though it's deeply empty, it's a reflection of the present, the environment and learning to love again. Rather than being in Utopia, it's about trying to get there, and it's never what you think it will be.… Expand
  20. MusicalButter
    Dec 3, 2017
    7
    A majestic and grand, colourful art pop. There are ways this album could be more dazzling than it already is but it proves quite impressive, as I didn't favour much Bjork albums previous, yet again with some flaws in production and it takes love as a major, major feeling in this album.
  21. hipnose1
    Dec 2, 2017
    10
    Transcendental, lírico, produção única, definem o mais novo trabalho de Bjork. Uma resposta para seu antecessor "Vulnicura", em que seu coração fora partido e ela cantava sobre sua luta sentimental para se manter de pé, traçando um cronograma de acontecimentos para o que levou ao fim de seu relacionamento conturbado, Utopia trata a superação desses acontecimentos, onde ela cria umTranscendental, lírico, produção única, definem o mais novo trabalho de Bjork. Uma resposta para seu antecessor "Vulnicura", em que seu coração fora partido e ela cantava sobre sua luta sentimental para se manter de pé, traçando um cronograma de acontecimentos para o que levou ao fim de seu relacionamento conturbado, Utopia trata a superação desses acontecimentos, onde ela cria um personagem de um jardim ninfa que emprega desde a sonoridade do album (Flautas e cantos de pássaros), a suas letras, que não fazem rodeios, são direto ao ponto. A sonoridade pode ser desconexa e fora dos padrões ocidentais, bem comum para as produções do arca, porém o que define sincronia? Ela canta na sincronia que ela criou e quando nos acostumamos com isso passamos a escutar na sincronia dela, formando assim um album muito bem elaborado dentro do seu mundo.… Expand
  22. DavidWasHere
    Dec 1, 2017
    7
    This isn't a huge favorite of mine from Bjork, but it's still pretty solid. I enjoy the relatively upbeat tone to this album, acting as a yang to Vulnicura's ying. It reminds me of a less electronic and more baroque and chamber pop version of her breakthrough album Debut. And a lot of the orchestral and organic instrumentation are wonderful in a lot of spots here, like on Tabula Rasa andThis isn't a huge favorite of mine from Bjork, but it's still pretty solid. I enjoy the relatively upbeat tone to this album, acting as a yang to Vulnicura's ying. It reminds me of a less electronic and more baroque and chamber pop version of her breakthrough album Debut. And a lot of the orchestral and organic instrumentation are wonderful in a lot of spots here, like on Tabula Rasa and the Gate. However it does not work all that well with Arca's production where the harsh electro and IDM sounds clash with this majestic tone, particularly on Sue Me. While it can work, for example Courtship being this cool EDM and flute tune, it just sticks out like a sore thumb. But what really kills this project for me is the length. It's over 70 minutes and it certainly feels it! While I felt that the sparse orchestral and electronic tunes are good, it's not very substantial when it comes to filling out the length. But there is a lot here that does work so it is hard not to hate this album. It is good and I will be returning to it, but I don't love it as much as other fans do.… Expand
  23. rodrigoaraujoo
    Dec 1, 2017
    10
    Such a beautiful, magical and original album... takes you to a new world as the purpose. Love all that wild-animal-nature sounds... truly beautiful and relaxing
  24. Mizuru
    Nov 29, 2017
    9
    This album was a surprise for me, a good surprise. The theme of this album is flutes and stuff, stuff because each song is unique. I really liked this album because most of songs are long and well built.

    Album Highlights: Saint and Paradisa: That uses flutes and frogs that we've seen on trailers, nice combination, vocal is delightful a special start to the album 8/10. Body Memory:    This album was a surprise for me, a good surprise. The theme of this album is flutes and stuff, stuff because each song is unique. I really liked this album because most of songs are long and well built.

    Album Highlights:

    Saint and Paradisa: That uses flutes and frogs that we've seen on trailers, nice combination, vocal is delightful a special start to the album 8/10.
    Body Memory: This one reminds me of Medulla era, the middle of the track is stunning and final it shows more flute tones 8/10.
    Arisen my Senses: This seens like a mix between much tracks on Vespertine, reminds me so much of the album 7/10
    Sue Me: One of the staples of this album, is the complete utopia style =] my ears, I can't believe 10/10.
    The Gate: Deffinetelly show a different style and is the core of the album, very catchy and emotional 9/10.
    ClaimStalker: Did Arca helped to build this? It's nice. 7/10
    Loss: My favorite of the album, give me both sadness and happiness 11/10.

    This album is definitely a different brick on the björk's wall built along the time, a beautiful one! The albuns starts with flutes and stuff and ends a bit too electronical at the end, and, It's kind of strange see so much of other albuns on some musics, I would score this album as 8 for so, but, there some songs that kicked the drums and my score is 9/10.    … Expand
  25. Sendy
    Nov 29, 2017
    7
    2015 saw a great light in the dark with the release of Vulnicura. Sure, ten songs with nine of them in the length of more than five minutes sure looked tiring. In surprise, we got amazing, easy-to-enjoy lovables that can be as everlasting as heck, at least for five years from the release.

    2017, there is the eclectic electro singer with her new album, Utopia. It's kind of amazing that it    2015 saw a great light in the dark with the release of Vulnicura. Sure, ten songs with nine of them in the length of more than five minutes sure looked tiring. In surprise, we got amazing, easy-to-enjoy lovables that can be as everlasting as heck, at least for five years from the release.

    2017, there is the eclectic electro singer with her new album, Utopia. It's kind of amazing that it is released in the length of 71 minutes, with a lot, and a lot of songs. The minutes I spent away with this song, let's be honest.

    I love Bjork.
    But this album is too much and unbalanced, it lets me down.

    I would blame it pretty much in the arrangements. The music arrangements felt a little too much, the songs become hard to be enjoyed and interpreted. In a lot of the songs, Bjork's voice was as intriguing and beautiful as usual, but tends to be overshadowed by the music . As example the song 'Courtship' is actually a neat song, just if the arpeggio of flutes doesnt go too pitchy and then blurred the lyrics; 'Losss' are actually CATCHY AS HECK ( yes, in capital ), but the metallic bangs and booms overmixed the song, it becomes an uneasy listen. And other songs, as example 'Sue Me' (with the screams) and 'Utopia' (with the flutes) faces the same fate.

    Some of the songs felt too dark to be called 'full of love'. This might only be my far-fetching, but it is kind of true. 'Features Creatures' aren't that lovely to be listened to, 'Body Memory' is a no, and 'Future Forever' is also, eventhough it's not as dark, and a warm tune when looked at other perspective.

    While that is some of the problems in the music, some song also contain too much of Bjork's voiced layered into a series of multiple, delayed voice. Not something too problematic in aestheteic, but it becomes harder to interpret than Vulnicura. Somehow, half of the songs ('Arisen My Senses', 'Utopia', 'Courtship', 'Claimstaker', 'Blissing Me', 'Saint', 'Sue Me') is experiencing this.

    If i have to pick the songs that I like and enjoy, my personal picks would be:
    1. 'Blissing Me' - Beautiful, minimalistic, not over the top, romantic.
    2. 'The Gate' - Simply a silent sound, and it felt nurturing.
    3. 'Arisen My Senses' - Because of its generously packed arrangemet.
    4. 'Future Forever' - Eventhough it's kind of dark, another approach would be said as love.

    The album 'Utopia, felt good as an instrumental album, rather as a Bjork song album. It is worse than 'Volta', to be honest. If all of her voice was removed, we got a solid instrumental album. But no, we are hearing Bjork singing, and that's just a total loss of her voice; the instrumentations beats her voice to death, it hurts. The blood is everywhere. If Bjork built her utopia with this formula, sure it becomes a beautiful city really fast, but it also becomes a dystopia really fast. It just felt like we need another Bjork album immediately this year. I love Bjork, but i would only give four.

    [EDIT : 30/11/2017]

    Okay, i'll just tell you, it actually grew on me slowly and carefully. It tends to be a slowburner album. If you only listened to the album 2-3 times, the songs doesn't make sense. When you actually hear them like for 7-8 times, it turns into such vulnerable, delicate experience. The sounds built their way in part per part. Like, if you are trying to decipheran original Arca album. It takes a lot of digestion process, you know.

    I changed my list of favorite songs:
    1. 'Loss' - The beat BOOMS through my ears.
    2. 'Courtship' - Its arrangements are funny, i just can't.
    3. 'Utopia' - Soft, confusing, holistic.
    4. 'Tabula Rasa' - PLEEEEEEASEEEEE

    From the score of four, i changed my scoring on giving at least seven. While this is actually a delightful album, the slow-burner aspect is inhibiting the effort.    … Expand
  26. DJbustajuan
    Nov 29, 2017
    10
    'Utopia' is one of Björk's most majestic and revealing albums yet, a little long but the beauty is infinite and the production is disturbing. Resolutely avant-garde!
  27. joaopedrodias
    Nov 29, 2017
    10
    Simplesmente um álbum lindo! Com toda uma história para contar, Björk nos surpreende mais uma vez com seu talento musical e artístico. Todos esses sons de flautas, pássaros, harpas e a produção conjunta invejável com seu amigo Arca (e Rabit em losss) deixaram esse trabalho ainda mais belo, é uma pena que ainda há quem prefira o venezuelano longe dos projetos da islandesa.
  28. bjodr
    Nov 29, 2017
    7
    For me there is nothing fresh or new. Sounds are more musically than on the previous album and that's the biggest positive for me, but only that one. It's good that the every track of Utopia is like from an utopian place.
  29. Dominodarko
    Nov 29, 2017
    7
    excelente propuesta de Bjork sus sonidos experimentales con una estética exquisita , alejada de los sonidos comerciales , denadonos un aura llena de magia ya naturaleza a través de sus tracks definitivamente una UTOPIA
  30. Music_Observer
    Nov 28, 2017
    8
    Perhaps being the most sonically beautiful album I’ve heard all year, this work creates one connected, alien world through important transformations and daring experimentation in the timbre with switches of unique synthesizer and flute dominance, and while there wasn’t a strong balance in quality between the sound and the less spirited melodic layer, the balance of musical priorities wasPerhaps being the most sonically beautiful album I’ve heard all year, this work creates one connected, alien world through important transformations and daring experimentation in the timbre with switches of unique synthesizer and flute dominance, and while there wasn’t a strong balance in quality between the sound and the less spirited melodic layer, the balance of musical priorities was perfect, shaping an experience that those not intimidated by music as an art will love. My Score: 145/180 (Great) = 8.1/10… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Mixmag
    Jan 5, 2018
    90
    It’s an album you’ll want to return to again and again.
    Read full review
  2. Magnet
    Dec 22, 2017
    90
    Utopia is the perfect whooshing winter record, just in time for the bitter chill. [No. 149, p.53]
  3. The Wire
    Dec 19, 2017
    90
    The Icelandic icon moves ever closer to the Platonic ideal of what it means to be Bjork. [Dec 2017, p.50]
See all critic reviews »