Review
Björk's "Post," released on June 7, 1995, represents a seismic shift in her musical trajectory, illustrating an artist unafraid to delve into the esoteric and the eclectic. Following her debut, the album underscores a fearless pursuit of experimentation, seamlessly blending techno, trip hop, IDM, house, ambient jazz, and industrial music. Tracks such as "Army of Me," with its robust percussion and foreboding presence, and the ethereal "Hyperballad," teeming with vivid imagery, coalesce to illustrate the broad canvas upon which Björk painted during her London sojourn.
A melange of bold styles is at play within "Post," shaped by the dynamic underground scenes of 1990s London. The album's impeccable production, a result of collaborative efforts with industry wizards like Nellee Hooper, Graham Massey, and Tricky, serves as the backbone of its intricate and vibrant sound. Among its key pieces, "It's Oh So Quiet," known for the audacious big-band jazz accompaniment, reached wider audiences boosted by Spike Jonze's whimsical visual interpretation, while "Isobel" threads orchestral flair and introspective narrative, touching on the tension between nature and urban life (interwoven through influences from South American literary traditions).
Commercially, "Post" enjoyed an illustrious arc, rocketing to the top of charts in Iceland and soaring high in the UK and the US. Its resounding success treaty lies in platinum certifications worldwide, bolstered by accolades like Album of the Year at the 1995 Icelandic Music Awards. The album's deft interplay between synthetic and organic proves to be a vital element of Björk's aural signature. With accolades pouring in from revered publications like *Entertainment Weekly* and *Rolling Stone*, this album remains not merely a significant contribution to the identity of 1990s music but an enduring testament to Björk’s boundless ingenuity. - Orson
