The Practice of Love
Jenny Hval · 2019
33 min · 8 tracks · avant-garde music
Ethereal soundscapes intertwine with intimate, poetic narratives that explore themes of love, loss, and identity.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Practice of Love — This title track encapsulates the album's central theme, combining haunting melodies with introspective lyrics that delve into the complexities of love and desire.
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Lions — Opening the album, 'Lions' sets a tone of vulnerability and strength, juxtaposing visceral imagery with delicate instrumentation to draw listeners into Hval's world.
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Ordinary — 'Ordinary' stands out for its raw examination of everyday life, infusing mundane experiences with profound emotional weight through Hval's evocative storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's experimental approach and rich soundscapes create a unique listening experience that rewards exploration.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a spoken word piece that gradually layers in ambient textures, setting a contemplative tone.
- Several tracks incorporate field recordings and unconventional sounds, creating an immersive soundscape that challenges traditional song structures.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- intimate storytelling through sound
- complex emotions in every track
- thoughtful listening for quiet spaces
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party vibes
- prefer straightforward catchy tunes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'The Practice of Love' was released in 2019, Jenny Hval had already established herself as a prominent voice in avant-garde music. This album followed her critically acclaimed work 'Blood Bitch' (2016) and marked a continued exploration of personal and political themes through her distinct blend of experimental sounds and lyrical depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- FKA twigs· Arca· Sharon Van Etten
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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High Alice
A pivotal moment features a shift from abstract imagery to starkly personal reflections on intimacy and self-identity.
This transition provides a contrast that amplifies the emotional stakes, grounding the abstract in tangible human experience.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Lions 3:57
- 2 High Alice 4:46
- 3 Accident 4:10
- 4 The Practice of Love 3:03
- 5 Ashes to Ashes 4:15
- 6 Thumbsucker 4:15
- 7 Six Red Cannas 4:07
- 8 Ordinary 5:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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