Mysterious, feminine, experimental, and always compelling, Jenny Hval has been pushing the musical envelope forward since 2006 (initially as Rockettothesky before releasing music under her own name). True to its title, The Practice of Love emphasizes warmth, lushness, and softness, quite unlike 2016’s Blood Bitch, which connected menstrual blood to vampire imagery, or 2015's Apocalypse, girl and its sardonic opening question, "What is soft dick rock?" (yes, really). That said, The Practice of Love retains Hval's signature use of occult imagery, spoken word poetry, and experimental electronic sonics, while introducing 80s-style synth grooves (some you could even dance to!), free-jazz inspired saxophone licks, and atmospheric vocal backdrops. The cohesive sonics come in part thanks to Hval’s cast of collaborators, with musicians Anja Lauvdal (synths), Espen Reinertsen (saxophone) and Lasse Marhaug (electronics) and guest speakers Vivan Want, Laura Jean Englert, and Félicia Atkinson forming a group that sharpens and draws out the best in her sound. © Eric Benoit / Qobuz