Björk’s new album comes with 14 handmade flutes and it looks so beautiful
19 August 2019, 12:13
The Icelandic singer-songwriter collaborates with a French flute-maker in one-of-a-kind album release.
Convention-bending muso Björk is re-releasing her latest album, but this time with an expansive orchestra of birdcalls, courtesy of handmade instruments.
A new deluxe box set of her 2017 album Utopia, was announced on social media over the weekend. The set features 14 handmade birdcall flutes, individually selected by the singer. Each instrument mimics a different type of birdcall.
Why did Björk choose these flutes?
In an Instagram post, the singer explained why she felt the connection between the instruments and the album.
She writes: “Utopia is so much about birdsong and sonically the mutation between synth/bird, bird/flute, flute/synth. Air like that was a theme through all of the album. So I got very excited when I found these handmade wooden flutes imitating precisely particular birds. And I guess wanted you guys to have an opportunity to share that with me.”
It was all created in collaboration with the French company Quelle est Belle, who specialise in bird song flutes, the box set comes in a bespoke perspex case.
Unboxing Björk’s new set
With a perspex cover, tinted sides and elergant layout, this is quite a special flute case. Unboxing videos are always fun, but this one is rather special.
Utopia was the ninth studio album by the Icelandic singer and is rooted with flute and birdsong, featuring an all-female Icelandic ensemble.
