"Utopia" is the ninth studio album by Icelandic singer-musician Björk, released on 24 November 2017 through One Little Indian Records in the UK and The Orchard Enterprises in the US. The album was produced by Björk herself and Venezuelan electronic producer Arca. It received widespread acclaim from music critics for its production, songwriting, and Björk's vocals, later earning a nomination for Best Alternative Music Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, marking Björk's eighth consecutive nomination in the category.
Björk began work on Utopia shortly after the release of Vulnicura in 2015. Following her win at the 2016 Brit Awards for International Female Solo Artist, Björk was focused on recording her new album. She described the writing process of Utopia as being more aligned with "paradise," contrasting it with the darker themes of Vulnicura, which she described as "hell... like divorce." In an interview with The Fader in 2017, collaborator Andrew Thomas Huang described the album as "future-facing" and hopeful, reflecting a sense of optimism.
The album was officially announced on 2 August 2017 through social media, with a handwritten note by Björk. The announcement coincided with her appearance on the cover of Dazed magazine's autumn 2017 issue, which revealed a few song titles. The lead single, "The Gate," was released digitally on 15 September 2017, ahead of its planned release. The album's title, Utopia, was also revealed during an interview with Nowness on the same day. The release date of 24 November was confirmed on 31 October, along with the cover art, designed by Jesse Kanda. The cover incorporated a silicone mask created by James T. Merry, with makeup by Berlin-based drag queen Hungry.
The second single, "Blissing Me," was released on 15 November 2017, followed by a music video directed by Tim Walker and Emma Dalzell. The album was released on 24 November 2017, with those who purchased it receiving cryptocurrency in the form of 100 audiocoins, a collaboration with British blockchain startup Blockpool.
Björk later revealed plans to work on a live version of Utopia in 2018, mentioning her desire to explore more flute solos and additional musical angles. On 16 August 2019, nearly two years after the album's release, Björk announced the Utopia Bird Call Boxset to celebrate the end of the Utopia
era. The boxset featured 14 hand-carved wooden flutes, each mimicking different bird calls, as well as a custom USB stick containing the album, music videos, remixes, and an unreleased instrumental track titled "Arpeggio." The boxset was released on 3 December 2019, priced at £500. Björk explained that Utopia was inspired by birdsong, and the flutes' intricate design added a unique element to the album's sound.
