Viscera
Jenny Hval · 2011
54 min · 9 tracks · avant-garde music
An exploration of bodily and psychological landscapes through haunting vocals and intricate soundscapes that blur the line between pleasure and discomfort.
Top tracks — play these first
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Blood Flight — This track features a captivating blend of rhythmic intensity and lyrical depth, perfectly encapsulating Hval's ability to intertwine bodily imagery with existential themes.
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Portrait of the Young Girl as an Artist — Here, Hval's narrative unfolds through vivid storytelling, reflecting on female identity and artistic expression with a hauntingly melodic backdrop that draws listeners into her world.
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How Gentle — This piece showcases Hval's ethereal vocal delivery combined with minimalist instrumentation, creating an intimate atmosphere that invites introspection and emotional vulnerability.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Hval's innovative vocal techniques and sound layering create a unique listening experience that rewards deeper exploration.
What we noticed
- Tracks frequently shift in dynamics, with sudden transitions from quiet, introspective moments to more intense, chaotic soundscapes.
- Several pieces incorporate unconventional song structures, eschewing traditional verse-chorus formats in favor of freeform exploration.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- atmospheric exploration of identity
- gradual build to emotional climax
- haunting vocals that linger
- immersive soundscapes for reflection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek upbeat party anthems
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Viscera' was released in 2011, Jenny Hval was already recognized for her innovative approach to avant-garde music. This album marked her third full-length release and followed her critically acclaimed work, 'Til I Wake,' positioning her as a significant voice in contemporary experimental music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- FKA twigs· Arca· Sharon Van Etten
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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This Is a Thirst
The lyrics confront desires directly, reflecting on the dichotomy of nourishment and emptiness.
The stark contrast in imagery reveals a tension between need and fulfillment, underscoring the album's exploration of the body as both a source of life and a site of longing.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Engines in the City 3:38
- 2 Blood Flight 6:45
- 3 Portrait of the Young Girl as an Artist 6:40
- 4 How Gentle 7:26
- 5 A Silver Fox 1:43
- 6 Golden Locks 6:18
- 7 This Is a Thirst 8:02
- 8 Milk of Marrow 7:54
- 9 Black Morning / Viscera 6:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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