"Drawing Restraint 9" is a studio album by Icelandic singer-songwriter Björk. Released in July 2005, the album serves as the soundtrack to the visual art project also titled "Drawing Restraint 9" by her ex-partner, renowned visual artist Matthew Barney. The film explores the concept of self-imposed limitation and uses the sea as a recurring theme.
Björk's music for the project incorporates various types of sea-related sounds, such as waves and sailing sounds. The record explores unconventional soundscapes and has thematic depth pertinent to the film's exploration of the oceanic symbolizing vast, often tympanic, spaces, with the expanse of the sea and the practice of whaling being pivotal notions.
The soundtrack includes a number of collaborations with unique artists; notably, "Holographic Entrypoint" features a Noh choir and the harpist Zeena Parkins. On the album, Björk herself mostly plays the role of producer; the orchestral, choral, and Japanese elements are prominent than her vocals.
"Drawing Restraint 9", even being distinct from Björk's previous work, retains the visceral, humanistic qualities that define her discography. It's known for its experimental sound and complex production, a characteristic that has been constant throughout Björk's career. Overall, the album showcases Björk's forward-thinking approach to music and reaffirms her status as one of the most innovative artists of her generation.
