In 2004, when Björk released her (mostly) a cappella album, Medúlla, she brought in the world's premiere voice-musicians, including the America's Mike Patton, England's Simon Shlomo Khan, Japan's Dokaka and Canada's own Tanya Tagaq. With Animism, Tagaq's fourth LP, it's safe to say that she has taken this often divisive genre further than any of her contemporaries.
Again working with producer/violinist Jesse Zubot, Animism finds Tagaq's fearless voice (literally and metaphorically) pushing the limits of beauty, anger, primal energy and sexuality. Opening with a fitting cover of Pixies' "Caribou," much of the material on Animism travels at contrasting intervals, moving between bombastic vocal symphonies ("Uja"), well-crafted pop songs ("Fight") and cacophonous, amorphous parables ("Fracking"). But since this is Tanya Tagaq, no moment of the album feels excessive or perfunctory, making Animism one of the most challenging and listenable albums of the year.
Read about Tagaq's new album here.
(Six Shooter)Again working with producer/violinist Jesse Zubot, Animism finds Tagaq's fearless voice (literally and metaphorically) pushing the limits of beauty, anger, primal energy and sexuality. Opening with a fitting cover of Pixies' "Caribou," much of the material on Animism travels at contrasting intervals, moving between bombastic vocal symphonies ("Uja"), well-crafted pop songs ("Fight") and cacophonous, amorphous parables ("Fracking"). But since this is Tanya Tagaq, no moment of the album feels excessive or perfunctory, making Animism one of the most challenging and listenable albums of the year.
Read about Tagaq's new album here.