Jenny Hval - Viscera

The discovery of obscure talent is always a joyous occasion, and this first encounter with Norwegian singer-composer Jenny Hval is no different. History tells us that this inaugural release is the product of a lengthy career in the Norwegian underground, going back to goth-bands and two releases under a different monniker that didn’t quite make it to the surface. Whether a progressive development or just a ongoing frustration, Jenny Hval and her band sound mature, cohesive and balanced on this first album. At least, to experienced listeners. Hval’s music is far from a walk in the park.

Viscera cover art

The blonde Helsinki-based pixie creates a daunting brand of avant-garde indiefolk on her debut-album Viscera, constantly hugging the wastelands between structure and free form. She has an accute control of her voice, resulting in some impressive vocal feats. Still, the emotive quality remains firmly in the limelight, as does her -quite explicit- lyrical content. For Hval there seem to be no taboos on sexuality. But rather than taking a distant, rational perspective, as if to underplay its impact, she wraps her content in a bizarre fairytale soundtrack. It's Alice in Wonderland esthetics meets sexual liberation anno 2011.



Her songs seem to slowly imprint its structure into the wacky lyrical content. In some instances the song keeps a respectable distance from the experiment. With tracks that reach the seven minute mark more often than not, she asks a lot from one's attention span. In “Blood Fight”, however, she uses song-structure to great effect without losing Hval’s hypnotic, hymnal quality. The bond between her feminine, esthetic outings and musical craftsmanship is strong here. It’s daunting and moving, keeping the listener engaged without sharing too many of its secrets upfront. In “Portrait of the young girl as an artist” she lets the song explode into a Cranberries-like, 90‘s rock anthem. It just goes to show her versatilaty: there are plenty of surprising turns on Viscera.

Jenny Hval

It should be clear that Jenny Hval is not an easygoing artist: Viscera is daunting material both musically and lyrically. But just when the album is about to derail into nomansland, her songs take form, ending in climaxes that one is able to bear with. At least until a certain degree. Like Björk, Thus:Owls and/or Sigúr Ros, one needs to adapt to the given material. But if you’re up to the challenge, Jenny Hval’s reveals a magical affection. Whether it be a fairytale erotica soundtrack or a 'free-folk' (free-jazz mechanics applied to folk sonorities) novelty: Viscera is definitely one of the more bold, enticing records coming from Scandinavia this year. Acquired taste, yes, but great taste.