Jenny Hval: Blood Bitch Vinyl LP Jenny Hval

Sixth studio album from Norwegian experimental singer/songwriter Jenny Hval. During a skit at the beginning of “The Great Undressing”, the first track on Blood Bitch‘s B side, a friend asks “What’s this album about, Jenny?” “It’s about vampires”. But the press release explains that Blood Bitch is about menstrual cycles (hence the title?). Elsewhere, Jenny writes: “Blood Bitch is a fictitious story, fed by characters and images from horror and exploitation films of the ’70s. With that language, rather than smart, modern social commentary, I found I could tell a different story about myself and my own time: a poetic diary of modern transience and transcendence.” Okay, regardless of what Blood Bitch is actually about, it’s quite a tantalizing spread; weaving together electronic drones, post-punk, musique concrete, and artful pop. Co-produced by Norwegian noise specialist and previous collaborator Lasse Marhaug, the album is sonically liberated from any baggage attached to “experimental music”, drifting freely between a nordic D.I.Y. ethos and a Nellee Hooper-esque 90’s downtempo-pop sensibility. Jenny’s incredible vocal range calls to mind the best moments of Trish Keenan, Bjork, Fiona Apple and Grimes. Check the deeply infectious and catchy hooks on “Conceptual Romance”, “Period Piece” and “Secret Touch”. Ten tracks altogether with download code, released by Sacred Bones. Recommended.

• black vinyl pressing
• printed inner sleeve
• digital download included
• music label: Sacred Bones Records 2016

reviewed by peanut dust 03/2017