A few weeks ago I saw Bjork at the Hammersmith Apollo, on what appears to the 20th leg of the Volta tour. In valiant support was Leila Arab. Many may know her, most don’t. A quick history she has played and toured with Bjork, released 2 albums one on XL other on Rephlex’ her third is out on Warp soon, four tet mentioned her in a song title on ‘Pause’,
Leila’s set was basically a mutated noised fest, with a dj-ing slant. The noticeable trax played where by Snoop Doggy-Dog, Bowie, Iggy Pop, and her own stuff with a smig Autechre to the assist in the onslaught of bass and loudness. I liked it. I loved her attitude. The way she just moved in behind the machines.In a one woman tango. She was great. The crowd booed. God where they hacked off by her; she flipped them the finger.
That was just the best night ever despite the godawful DJ who bored us for an eternity.
quote from bjork website
Now on to her current 10 inch & dig-it-al download, Mettle on Warp. The title track is a mix of primal spiders, oscillating bass, fx-ed guitars, al-la-fugazi-gang of four. by god it is loud. Heaven Sent, the next track sounds of creaking and slo-mo doom bass, and heavenly vocals from Luca Santucci. Finally, Ode to Mr. Herman, is a polite diddy, which could find it’s home on a Colleen record.
Single of the year.