Jenny Hval’s “Practice of Love” demonstrates the harmony in chaos
By: Maliha Memon
Staff Writer
Jenny Hval, a Norweigian singer song-writer and author, recently released her 7th record called “The Practice of Love”.
Hval’s music doesn’t follow a specific formula or structure. At first it seems disconcerting but upon further listen, her music provides the listener with a sense that they have just connected to something great.
Hval’s music spans genres of experimental, electronic and art pop. Her music is deeply meaningful and complex with particular themes of feminism and existentialism.
“Practice of Love” plays with ideas of self and its relation to the world. The album conjures images of vegetation, the divine and the universe as a whole.
The cover art conveys this beautifully with the leaves and snake which seem to be referencing the Garden of Eden. Meanwhile, the third eye and broken limb indicate severing with that of the earth and personhood and a connection to the divine and unknown.
Hval seeks the listener’s involvement as soon as the first track, “Lions” ft. Vivian Wang, begins. Over a staggering beat Hval seems to be split into two persons. One of which is grounded while the other is “blossoming”.
The voice of reason in this song observes the present place they are in.They take note of the environment saying “look at the leaves” and “look at the moon” while the other version of her increasingly progresses into an unanchored being. It says, “I am an empty body.”
Towards the end of the track the instrumentation becomes erratic and dissonant while Hval’s “blossoming” character does as well.
“Practice of Love” featuring Laura Jean and Vivian Wang, the title track, serves as the apex of the album. Hval divulges the most she has so far in this track of spoken work over light and airy feeling synths.
In this track Hval grapples with shortcomings within her life. For example, how language cannot encapsulate her relationships. Hval feels the word ‘love’ is too confined and too pure for her.
The overarching narrative of the track, however, is Hval’s perceived position in this world which isn’t what she always desired. She deals with being childless and in her mid 30s. As the song continues, Hval realizes she may be the antagonist in the story of life in her decision to not carry it on.
Throughout the album Hval doesn’t cease to question everything. She is able to draw comparisons where you thought there were none.
In “Thumbsucker,” Hval uses her thumbsucking as a child to create this image of hiding in “World War II bunkers” and “alternating between mountains and marshlands”. The lyrics are set over soothing as well as eerie chamber music.
The album ends with “Ordinary”. The sleepy vocals on the track deliver a message of normalcy in the chaos of love and life.
Hval brings the perspective of marriage being “so stupid”. There is a triumphant nature in the track when a woman takes her wedding ring off and can let her skin return to its natural state or the ordinary.
Ultimately Hval shows the virtue of nature. Rating:9/10