BJORK may be back to using instruments on her albums, but the human voice is still the highlight of the Icelandic artiste’s forthcoming Volta. Due May 8 via One Little Indian/Atlantic, the 10-track album features a decidedly minimalist and meditative approach to its arrangements, including contributions from a brass section and tight drum patterns.  

Beats produced by Timbaland are prominently featured on three tracks: the intense opener Earth Intruders and the space-age Innocence and Hope. The latter lyrically alludes to the quandary of terrorism, with Bjork singing, “What’s the lesser of two evils? / If a suicide bomber made to look pregnant / Manages to kill her target or not? / If she kills them or dies in vain? / Nature has fixed no limits on our hopes.”