Jenny Hval - Apocolypse, girl

Jenny Hval
Apocalypse, girl
2015

Art music is a fickle mistress. At times it can be transcendent and inspiring but then it can turn on you and be extremely challenging or frustrating. Such is the case with Jenny Hval's newest album Apocalypse, girl. More of a free form Jazz and spoken word experience than a true music album Apocalypse, girl explores woman's sexuality, rebirth and male driven stereotypes then breaks them down into a thousand pieces only to be rebuilt through Casio Keyboards. Sometimes it's hard to know where a song ends and the next one begins things just sort of come and go as they please on this album. The record works more as a poetry piece set to music than any kind of melodic attempt at writing a song. At times Apocalypse, girl meanders directionless, content with making noise rather than saying anything or creating any type of dialogue. "Holy Land" is a 10 minute song most of which is haunting noises with the occasional cello break in.

If you are looking to go down a music as art piece journey than Apocalypse, girl  is the record for you, however if you are looking for anything remotely catchyor any kind of beat then Jenny Hval has nothing for you. She has something to say through her art and she really doesn't give  fuck whether you like it or not. Her medium is loosely music but this album circles more closely to poetry or spoken word. Jenny Hval will challenge you, experience you and destroy you, deciding whether or not you would go back and listen to this record ever again, that is the real question. I don't think I will.

5 out of 10