It’s been three long years since Blood Bitch, the critically acclaimed album by Norwegian multidisciplinary artist Jenny Hval. Hval, one of the more intriguing acts to release music in the past decade has become known for her pierced and textured sound sounds to be heading into a more melodious sound. Now with a new album The Practice of Love due in September, her first single “Ashes to Ashes” from it proves that melody and a more cohesive direction is where her music is now.
Where the sound here is different than her previous works, it still sounds very much like the work of Hval. However in place of sound stabs there’s more cohesiveness and tons of joyous melody that flows throughout. Arpeggiated synths and clusters of notes wash over your ears as Hval masterfully creates a new world for her music to thrive without abandoning the place she inhabited for many years prior. This is a new direction for Hval to thrive, and every note is uplifting and amorous to the ears.
“Ashes to Ashes” can be streamed on all streaming sites, it can be purchased in all digital marketplaces and The Practice of Love can be pre-ordered directly from Sacred Bones Records ahead of its September 13 release date. Jenny Hval is set to perform the album in its entirety twice on September 20 and 21st at Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival.
Image Credits: Photo by Lasse Marhaug.