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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. wildwickedslip
    Jun 10, 2022
    2
    I'm a Björk fan, and whilst I can appreciate her talent, she has wandered so far into the 'avant-garde' category that her music has become totally impenetrable and completely inaccessible. She has lots of great ideas, but fails to implement them in actual songwriting, and it's reached the point where her work isn't actually enjoyable - it's just really hard work. Great ideas and conceptsI'm a Björk fan, and whilst I can appreciate her talent, she has wandered so far into the 'avant-garde' category that her music has become totally impenetrable and completely inaccessible. She has lots of great ideas, but fails to implement them in actual songwriting, and it's reached the point where her work isn't actually enjoyable - it's just really hard work. Great ideas and concepts but no structure, no melody, nothing to make you stick around till the end of the album, and definitely nothing to keep you coming back for more.… Expand
  2. 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.
  3. Mamacita666
    Feb 4, 2022
    10
    É um ótimo album, podendo ser facilmente considerado um dos melhores albuns de 2017
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. Jackson777
    Oct 11, 2021
    2
    Its really bad. I feel sorry for her very successful father and boyfriends. She's a conceited and self-obsessed person who flaunts being able to play numerous instruments like it makes her a musical genius. Utopia is just a part of her long discography that next to nobody listens to, that's sampled from time to time by various artists, but almost never listened to alone because of howIts really bad. I feel sorry for her very successful father and boyfriends. She's a conceited and self-obsessed person who flaunts being able to play numerous instruments like it makes her a musical genius. Utopia is just a part of her long discography that next to nobody listens to, that's sampled from time to time by various artists, but almost never listened to alone because of how uninventive her music is. Some of the songs being listenable warrants 2 points from me, but the albums style of art (in the music videos for instance) comes off as boring and too earthy and thus cliche. And there's nothing new overall.… Expand
  7. 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
  8. John-A
    Dec 15, 2020
    5
    The main problem these days is Björk is predictably unpredictable. The concept for concept's sake included. And whether we relate to absolutely everything-Björk or not, her last three albums make a logical next step each - for some it is a step forward, for others it is walking around in circles.
  9. 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.
  10. Panchogul
    Aug 22, 2020
    4
    Uno de los discos mas trabajados de Bjork, pero a su vez uno de los peores, la producción es muy original y auténtica, no suena agradable al oído, pareciera que Bjork rebuscó y rebuscó al punto de que suena muy pretencioso y poco convincente, no le llega ni a los talones a Biophilia y Vulnicura.
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. pepitohonguito
    Apr 19, 2018
    0
    One word: Boredom. Every single song sounds the same, very monotonous. A lot of screaming, the instrumental part is the best part, but nothing out of this word either. The lyrics are just ok. I wish it could be more creative and innovative. I am very disappointed, she is a great artist anyway.
  18. 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.
  19. 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
  20. FranciscoReview
    Jan 13, 2018
    10
    amo el album, es hermoso me cautiva, lo mejor que e escuchado este año, merece grandes permios.
  21. 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.
  22. 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
  23. popdod
    Dec 22, 2017
    5
    The critics are too generous with this. It is not bad and is beautiful in parts and is definitely best listened to as an album, but as the other critical reviews have noted, it is a bit too long, nothing at all stands out in a way that you find yourself remembering it at random unless you listen to a song 10 times in a row and that may stick in your head briefly. This has been a negativeThe critics are too generous with this. It is not bad and is beautiful in parts and is definitely best listened to as an album, but as the other critical reviews have noted, it is a bit too long, nothing at all stands out in a way that you find yourself remembering it at random unless you listen to a song 10 times in a row and that may stick in your head briefly. This has been a negative with Bjork's music for the past few albums though. Just ask anyone their favorite song on the past 3 or so and to hum it or share any lyrics and they most likely can't.

    I think she crossed the line she has been closely walking between pop and avant-garde and has gotten stuck on the avant-garde side, forgetting that most people, besides her fans who seem to repeat every new album is her best one yet, love her for her late 80s to early 00s songs and that although these are beautiful albums and quite artistic, very few people are likely going to be eager to listen to them again a few years later.

    At this point, she would be shaking things up by releasing an album, or even one song, that has melody and can be replayed in people's heads without having to be actually listening to the song.    … Expand
  24. 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.
  25. nuph
    Dec 13, 2017
    0
    too much to ask for a melody? c'mon. it's like free jazz but with harps. keep hoping she'll come back to writing songs instead of sound installations. i have a hard time believing that any critic, or high rating fan, will listen to this album more than once. i love bjork and her quirky, beautiful personality; i just don't like her songs. fans: don't review her, review her music.
  26. Schwiz
    Dec 11, 2017
    1
    Meh.

    Avant Garde my ass. This album is stacked with the same loopy vocals and pretentious ballads that weighed her last few albums down - rarely changing in pitch, tone, or pace. I commented on the slog that was Vulnicura back in 2015 and got hit with a wave of rabid Bjork fans coming to her aid. My favorite comment read, "Bjork abandoned cliché long ago. You just don’t understand    Meh.

    Avant Garde my ass.

    This album is stacked with the same loopy vocals and pretentious ballads that weighed her last few albums down - rarely changing in pitch, tone, or pace.

    I commented on the slog that was Vulnicura back in 2015 and got hit with a wave of rabid Bjork fans coming to her aid. My favorite comment read, "Bjork abandoned cliché long ago. You just don’t understand her." That comment pretty much summed it all up for me since claiming Bjork has abandoned cliché IS a cliché.

    Personally, I don’t care who she broke up with last year or who she is **** now. I just wish Bjork could sell her music without the gimmicks and themes.

    “Listen to Bjork sing acapella with the human beat-boxer.”
    "Listen to Bjork hire musicians to beat on a gourd for an hour with Timbaland."
    “Listen to Bjork crawl into a cave and rub herself with crystals and moss.”
    “Listen to Bjork cry about her break-up for an hour”.
    And finally, “Bjork’s in love again.”

    Personally, I’m holding out for, “Bjork emerges from her own ass and re-embraces cliché.”

    Her costumes are just great though, really, just great.    … Expand
  27. 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
  28. jasharkowalski
    Dec 4, 2017
    1
    Bjork on autopilot, thought i would never say that but it happened.....don't waste your time here, you wont hear anything new or worth remembering, this is already played and sung many times by lil' Icelandic queen.....i think she fought the melody as such and melody simply decided to surrender.....back in the time Bjork walked that thin line, but now she forgot where the line is....such aBjork on autopilot, thought i would never say that but it happened.....don't waste your time here, you wont hear anything new or worth remembering, this is already played and sung many times by lil' Icelandic queen.....i think she fought the melody as such and melody simply decided to surrender.....back in the time Bjork walked that thin line, but now she forgot where the line is....such a pity for my favorite girl....… Expand
  29. 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.
  30. 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
prev
Page:

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 »