"Vespertine" is the fourth studio album by Icelandic artist Björk, released on August 27, 2001, by One Little Indian Records in the UK and Elektra Entertainment in the US. The album represents a departure from the more aggressive electronic sounds of her previous work, *Homogenic* (1997), aiming instead for a more intimate and intricate electronic soundscape.
Björk sought to evoke a sense of intimacy and domesticity through Vespertine. She collaborated with producers like Opiate, Console, and the duo Matmos, incorporating unusual and delicate instruments such as the harp, celesta, clavichord, and custom music boxes. Matmos helped create "microbeats" from everyday sounds, like shuffling cards and cracking ice. The album’s lyrical content focuses on her new relationship with artist Matthew Barney and includes themes of love and sex, drawing on sources such as the poetry of E. E. Cummings and Sarah Kane’s play Crave.
Three singles were released from Vespertine: "Hidden Place," "Pagan Poetry," and "Cocoon." The music videos for "Pagan Poetry" and "Cocoon" faced censorship on MTV due to their explicit content.
Vespertine peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard 200 and number 8 on the UK Albums Chart. It was certified gold in Canada, France, and the UK. The album was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its sensual, experimental sound and its intimate, delicate mood. It was frequently cited in end-of-year and decade-end lists as one of the best albums of 2001 and of the decade. Many critics regard it as one of Björk's finest works and one of the greatest albums of all time.
