| Okovi | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 8, 2017 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 39:59 | |||
| Label | Sacred Bones | |||
| Producer |
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| Zola Jesus chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Okovi | ||||
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Okovi (English: Shackles) is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Zola Jesus. It was released on September 8, 2017 by Sacred Bones Records. [3] The album was written in Danilova's hometown in Wisconsin, where she retreated after dealing with depression and dark times experienced by her close friends. [4]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 79/100 [4] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [5] |
| The A.V. Club | A− [6] |
| Consequence of Sound | B+ [7] |
| Clash | 9/10 [8] |
| DIY | [9] |
| Drowned in Sound | 7/10 [10] |
| MusicOMH | [11] |
| The Observer | [12] |
| Pitchfork | 8.3/10 [1] |
| Under the Radar |   [13] |
At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 79, based on 25 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [4] Emma Madden of Clash praised the album, saying "the production is absolutely masterful. The conviction is assured; the weightiest of subjects: that of 'life' and 'death' are tackled and shackled by Zola expertly." [8] Pitchfork 's Sasha Geffen said "Okovi showcases the searing, fully-formed music of Nika Danilova, an album of close personal experiences rendered into urgent goth-pop songs as emotional as they are necessary." [1] AllMusic critic Heather Phares called it "a deeply comforting album," further stating: "Okovi is some of Zola Jesus' purest-sounding, most profound music in years." [5] Emily Mackay of The Observer called it "an album to light the way through the darkest hours." [12]
Writing for Drowned in Sound , Pieter J Macmillan said "Okovi won't topple Stridulum II as the most essential Zola Jesus record, but it's another excellent record that once again showcases a unique and powerful voice." [10] Under the Radar 's Billy Hamilton described the album as "a deeply emotive and enthralling journey." [13] Lisa Wright of DIY wrote: "Heavy with feeling throughout, it makes for a record that's often a tough listen. But for cathartically allowing herself to tackle life's most difficult subjects, you've got to applaud her." [9] Sam Shepherd of MusicOMH stated that "sometimes it sounds bleak, sometimes it sounds glorious, but it's in embracing the full gamut of life experience, as Zola Jesus does here that nothing becomes everything. The shackles might still be on, but this is the sound of an artist reveling in freedom." [11]
| Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmopolitan | Best Albums of 2017 | 6 | |
| Drowned in Sound | Favourite Albums of 2017 | 17 | |
| Pitchfork | The 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 41 | |
| PopMatters | The 60 Best Albums of 2017 | 4 | |
| Stereogum | 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 43 |
All tracks are written by Nika Roza Danilova
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Doma" | 2:15 |
| 2. | "Exhumed" | 3:45 |
| 3. | "Soak" | 3:57 |
| 4. | "Ash to Bone" | 2:07 |
| 5. | "Witness" | 4:01 |
| 6. | "Siphon" | 3:50 |
| 7. | "Veka" | 5:13 |
| 8. | "Wiseblood" | 4:39 |
| 9. | "NMO" | 0:56 |
| 10. | "Remains" | 4:26 |
| 11. | "Half Life" | 4:49 |
| Total length: | 39:59 | |
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Okovi. [19]
| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Dance/Electronic Albums ( Billboard ) [20] | 8 |
Saturdays = Youth is the fifth studio album by French electronic music band M83, released on 11 April 2008 by Virgin Records. The album was produced by Ken Thomas, with co-production by Ewan Pearson and M83 frontman Anthony Gonzalez.
Nika Roza Danilova, known professionally by her stage name Zola Jesus, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Her music has been noted for combining elements of electronic, industrial, classical, and goth. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, she spent her formative years in northern Wisconsin, where she began writing and recording music independently while attending college. During her second year of studies, she released two singles through the independent label Sacred Bones, followed by two EPs. Her debut album, The Spoils, was released in 2009.
Former Ghosts is a project of Freddy Ruppert, former member of This Song Is a Mess But So Am I, with loose collaborations from multiple people including Xiu Xiu frontperson Jamie Stewart, Zola Jesus originator Nika Roza Danilova, Yasmine Kittles of Tearist, Annie Lewandowski of Powerdove, and Carla Bozulich. Past live incarnations have included Jherek Bischoff and Sam Mickens. Ruppert is the lead songwriter on this project. The title of the debut, Fleurs, is a reference to the white-flowered iris.
Stridulum is the sixth release and second EP by American singer-songwriter Zola Jesus, released on March 9, 2010 by Sacred Bones Records. It was expanded into the full-length album Stridulum II, released later in 2010.
New Love is the second album from experimental electronic group Former Ghosts, a collaborative effort between Jamie Stewart, Freddy Ruppert, Yasmine Kittles (TEARIST) and Nika Roza Danilova.
Valusia is the fourth EP by American singer-songwriter Zola Jesus. It was released on October 15, 2010 on Sacred Bones Records.
Stridulum II is the second full-length studio album release by the American singer-songwriter Zola Jesus, released by the German label Souterrain Transmissions on August 23, 2010. The album combines all six songs from the Stridulum EP with three of the four songs from the Valusia EP. The cover art is modified from the cover of Stridulum.
The Spoils is a debut full-length studio album by Nika Roza Danilova, better known as American singer-songwriter Zola Jesus, released in July 2009 on Sacred Bones Records. To the LP version's original 10 tracks the CD adds five songs: two from "Soeur Sewer" and three from the "Poor Sons" 7-inch singles.
Conatus is the third studio album by American singer Zola Jesus, released in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2011, and in the United States on October 4 by Sacred Bones Records. The album was produced by Brian "Nudge" Foote and Nika Roza Danilova herself.
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Wonky is the eighth studio album by Orbital, released on their own ACP label in the UK on 2 April 2012, and exclusively through iTunes in the United States and Canada on 17 April 2012. The album is their first since the Blue Album in 2004 and the first since they reformed in 2008. It features vocals from Zola Jesus and Lady Leshurr.
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Versions is a compilation album by American singer-songwriter Zola Jesus. The album consists of remixes of tracks from her second and third albums as well as one previously unreleased track. It was released in August 2013 under Sacred Bones Records.
Taiga is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Zola Jesus. It was released on October 6, 2014 in the UK and EU and on October 7, 2014 in the US through Mute. The album was produced by Nika Roza Danilova and co-produced by Dean Hurley. It marks the first Zola Jesus record to be released through Mute Records. The album title Taiga is the Russian word for boreal forests. A music video was released for the album's first single "Dangerous Days". The music video was directed by Timothy Saccenti and filmed in Hoh Rainforest, Washington.
Blisters in the Pit of My Heart is the second studio album by English band Martha. It was released in July 2016 by Fortuna Pop! in the UK/EU and Dirtnap Records in the US.
World Eater is the third studio album by British musician Benjamin John Power, under his musical project Blanck Mass. It was released on 3 March 2017 by Sacred Bones Records.
Masseduction is the fifth studio album by American musician St. Vincent, released on October 13, 2017, through Loma Vista Recordings. The album peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200, becoming her first top ten album in the United States. The album was widely praised and was the fourth-most mentioned in critics' year-end lists for 2017. At the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Masseduction won the award for Best Recording Package and Best Rock Song for its title track, and was also nominated for the Best Alternative Music Album.
Plunge is the second studio album by Fever Ray, an alias of Swedish musician Karin Dreijer. It was released on 27 October 2017 through Rabid Records. It is their first album in nearly eight years, following their 2009 eponymous debut. The album was largely recorded in Dreijer's Stockholm studio in collaboration with producers Paula Temple, Deena Abdelwahed, Nídia, Tami T, Peder Mannerfelt, and Johannes Berglund.
Criminal is the fourth studio album by American post-punk band the Soft Moon. It was released on February 2, 2018 by Sacred Bones Records.
Live at Roadburn 2018 is the first live album by American singer-songwriter Zola Jesus, recorded at the 2018 Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands. It was made available to stream and purchase via Bandcamp on May 1, 2020, before expanding to other digital platforms on May 8, 2020. It is scheduled to be released in physical formats–including several variations of limited edition vinyl, as well as compact disc–on June 26, 2020, by Sacred Bones Records.
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