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Rating: THE REVIEW
This album is a whisper, arriving almost by chance to shake things up. Born from a silence of almost 12 years, it transforms into a talent branching out into a double CD with a phantom-like title: "Aerial", which perfectly describes the atmosphere of the album. Light as a dandelion, yet also violent like a slap.
The first part is simply extraordinary: "King Of The Mountain" sets the tone: trip hop fantasy, crooked tribal beats, a chorus open like a fan, and verses whispered in a languid and erotic manner. Pure sonic sensuality, which continues with "Pi", keyboard tam-tams interspersed with a unique wail from a Bush caught in dreams and nightmares. With the oracular sensitivity of a virgin, she weaves something in your ears and spins sounds, while singing the number of pi like a siren. Then it moves on to "Bertie", a very simple ballad tiptoeing in, revealing itself as the best of the album: medieval instruments for a song of maternal love, one of the best from the English artist. In the first part, "Mrs. Bartolozzi" also stands out, a song built on a sigh, reminiscent of a more melodic and pop-like Bjork from Medúlla, "Joanni", an easy-listening piece with a rock chorus and lyrics about a brave warrior like the song itself: one of the least expected in an album that was anticipated as "the electronic-jazz turn of Babooshka" and "How To Be Invisible", with adept bass and persistent percussion for a feverish voice that transforms into depth. The first suite closes with "A Coral Room", a lullaby on piano that becomes an abyss, sepulchral like the underworld, but not unsettling, rather the tender vision of evil.
The second part, however, turns out much less successful, too abstract, too homogeneous and linear to offer beauty. Yet, something is found: "Somewhere In Between", an afro-jazz ballad that warrants multiple listens, and the concluding "Aerial", an absolute 8-minute delirium, where in the end Kate Bush starts screaming and imitating bird songs. Magnificent. In between, little to nothing, exercises in style that often become interesting ("Sunset", "Nocturn") or self-serving ("An Architect's Dream" or "Prologue"... where oh my God! Kate sings a verse in Italian! XD).
A poetic and wicked, tender and sensitive, restless and calm album, which has nothing to do with the skewed beauty of "Hounds Of Love", "The Dreaming" or "Sensual World", but is nonetheless a welcome return. Definitely. Keep going, Kate!
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Summary by Bot
Kate Bush's Aerial marks a poetic return after a 12-year silence, offering a delicate yet powerful sonic experience. The first disc shines with diverse styles from trip hop to medieval ballads, while the second part is more abstract but still holds memorable moments. The album blends sensuality, depth, and whimsy, showcasing Bush's unique vocal expression and artistic evolution.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is a British singer-songwriter and musician known for distinctive vocals, literary storytelling, and ambitious studio experimentation across art-pop.14 Reviews
Other reviews
By gabbox
"Like a ray of sunshine in these gray days. Dazzling and necessary."
"An album that leaves you speechless and at the same time invites you to search for new words."
By The Punisher
The class is all there, nothing to say, but there’s a sense of 'little soul' encapsulated in sounds not particularly captivating or modern.
An album that after a couple of listens I imagine will be, like others, placed in the most unlikely point of one’s music shelf or, at best, resold for 8 euros at some downtown stall.
