Is it an advert for tomato ketchup? Is it the latest Disney monster? Is it a nu-rave cartoon? No, it's just Björk's new look.
The unveiling of the visual concept for each new Björk album has become as much of an event as the first play of the fresh sound it represents. From the stern, matriarchal majesty of Homogenic to the wispy, fawning waif of Vespertine or the demonic banshee of Medúlla, the Icelandic icon sheds identities like skins. On her website, Björk herself writes: "The reason I do photographs is to help people understand my music, so it's very important that I am the same, emotionally, in the photographs as in the music. Most people's eyes are much better developed than their ears. If they see a certain emotion in the photograph, then they'll understand the music."
The design for new album Volta makes use of the bright, brash colours that look set to define 2007. Björk, who has always had a reputation for being cutting-edge (or a bit bonkers) steps out in what appears to be a tomato suit, conceived by German fashion designer Bernhard Willhelm and photographed by Nick Knight. To me, the effect is reminiscent of a cartoon character, Ronald McDonald or the Cindy Sherman clown series: bright and cute yet with a sinister, capitalist undertone.
Björk has revealed that Volta explores issues of femininity as well as a return to her original raver roots (although she never really left them, did she?). I reckon this timely turn to dance can only be a good thing: those pesky fluorescent adolescents need to be shown how it's done.
You'll have to wait until May 7 to hear Volta, but the first single Earth Intruders, which was partially inspired by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, is available to download now. This teaser of the full-length record, with Timbaland guesting on production duties, lives up to the anticipation that the announcement of this dream team collaboration inspired: all tribal drums, tremulous nu-wave shrieks and game over-esque motifs. The cover art features an eco-warrior Björk in a multi-coloured crocheted get-up, with brightly striped face paints, a club in her hand and a mischievous, toothy grin. The title of the single, a play on space invaders, is printed in very now neon.
Have you heard it? What do you think? And is Björk à la tomate still relevant to music and art circa 2007?
To view a gallery of the many faces and fashions of Björk, click here.
