Single Of The Week • Björk — ‘Virus’

The pretty melodies of ‘Virus’, the third track to emerge fully formed from Björk’s new album Biophilia, may recall earlier songs like ‘Aurora’ and ‘Desired Constellation’ but there’s a lot more going on here below the surface softness. “Like a virus needs a body and soft tissue feeds on blood, someday I’ll find you; the urge is here,” she sings, revealing it as arguably her most unusual love song in a career that’s littered with unusual love songs.

The virus she sings of is represented by the chiming of the gameleste (a homemade fusion of the gamelan and celeste) that becomes stronger and harsher as the song nears its end, as the pulsing beat that represents the structure of cells in the body falls away completely. Forget all that ‘Single White Female’ stuff, this is want and possession at its most beautifully ugly. Truly extraordinary work.

Available on iTunes as a single song and as part of the wonderful Biophilia app.

Also out this week:

The return of experimental folk-pop outfit The Beautiful Word, who featured in one of our Voice On The Verge columns way back in 2008. ‘Emily’ follows on from their debut album Curvature Of Words and last year’s Mystery Pop EP, and gives their sweet-natured sound a bit of a kick. No buy link just yet as the single won’t be on iTunes ’til Friday.

Read our interview with The Beautiful Word here.

‘Yellow’ is the fourth single to be taken from Anita Blay’s debut album Adulthood, and another strong demonstration of her savvy, euphoric electro-pop. Available on iTunes with a bunch of remixes and as a karaoke version so that you can stage your own version of the video below.

A song about “materialist relationships”, Hannah Clark’s new single ‘Deep Water Heartbreaker’ follows swiftly on the heels of her Hot New Trash EP, which arrived in April. A gutsy rhythm section, jagged electrics and chaotic synths make this a highly enjoyable listen. Available on iTunes with B-side, ‘The Fox’.

Lucy Siame arrives on the UK scene via Zambia, where she was born, and her adopted home of Denmark. Her second album Kilo will be her first to get a proper UK release, and is preceded by this layered dance/rap number complete with aggressive drum ‘n’ bass break. Available on iTunes with a radio edit and six remixes to boot.

Read our interview with Lucy here.

Following the EPs Love You More and You’ll Be Mine, and recent single ‘Glorious’, sisters Catherine and Allison Pierce return with the fourth track to be lifted from their latest album You & I. Another slice of flawless widescreen pop, ‘It Will Not Be Forgotten’ is almost troubling in its slickness. Not especially memorable, either. Available on iTunes.

The first proper release from Bombay Bicycle Club collaborator and self-professed tea fiend Lucy Rose, ‘Middle Of The Bed’ is an emotional folk-pop tune that speaks directly to the heart in a voice that’s just the right side of sweet and timid, with a middle-eight that always seems destined to break into a dance song. It’s available on iTunes with four remixes accordingly.

Read our interview with Lucy here.

The first posthumous release for the great Poly Styrene, ‘Ghoulish’ is the latest single to be taken from her impressive final album, Generation Indigo. The song takes inspiration from Michael Jackson, both in the music and in the accompanying video. Available on iTunes with an exclusive remix from Hercules & Love Affair.

The first single from Astrid Williamson’s fifth solo album Pulse, out August 29, ‘Pour’ marks a huge step in the right direction for the Shetland-born singer-songwriter. Collaborating with guitarist and ambient producer Leo Abrahams, she’s created an arresting fusion of techno beats, shivery piano and intimate vocals loaded with meaning. Available on iTunes with two remixes.

Tagged astrid williamson, bjork, cocknbullkid, emily, FOE, ghoulish, kilo, lucy love, lucy rose, poly styrene, pour, the beautiful word, the pierces, thunder, virus, you and i