Plunge
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LP / Format
Rabid, Mute / Label
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CRITIC REVIEWS
100
A true, audacious trip, the album squirms and twists, transforming from one thing to another – but without losing sight of its focus.
91
She is now alive, raw, and unmistakably human, and she revels in all the desires and tribulations this implies with a radical bluntness that, if Shaking’s subject matter is anything to go by, is meant to explode any old-fashioned societal norms for how women should love, live, and express themselves. And of course, she’s going to do it while completely defying any assumptions we may have about her music.
90
Moving away from the roots of Fever Ray, but retaining its crucial characteristics, she is able to redefine the project.
90
As one might imagine from its themes, Plunge feels more immediate and open than Fever Ray’s debut.
87
On her second album as Fever Ray, Karin Dreijer is more conflicted, more manic—and more in love, too.
86
Plunge is the natural next step, a realization of impulses that have long lain dormant, or at least unrecognized.
85
She seems a lot happier, or at least more energetic and outgoing, coming into second album Plunge. But that only seems to bring her up against more frustrations in the world around her, which are wrought vividly throughout.
83
When we last saw her working alone, she seemed wild but in line, questioning the world. This time, she has no time for boundaries, questioning larger factors of life by overlooking the rules we use to describe them, subjecting herself to complete immersion and pushing listeners to do the same.
80
Her debut as Fever Ray set the expectation for Dreijer’s solo venture but ‘Plunge’ is going to be another rich reward for committed listening.
80
The good thing about the new record Plunge for fans of her beautifully dark debut release from eight years ago is that it now only fully complies to Fever Ray’s urge for adventurous and uncompromising compositions but it also has the same nocturnal paradise as its predecessor.
80
Plunge builds on Fever Ray's - to borrow a graphic novel phrase - 'universe building' self-titled debut to create her most direct and personal record to date. On top of this, Dreijer has cemented her place within alternative music's dynasty, and it's refreshing to hear an outwardly queer and fiercely political artist convey a clear message without having the music, performance or reception fall over the potential weight of those themes.
80
This is a joyous artistic rebirth, its creator shaking her tail feathers, pushing her own boundaries and immersed in emotion and whim brought out from within.
80
The electronic work is fantastic throughout Plunge, never adhering to presets and making full use of every beat, burst and throb. When coupled with Dreijer’s slick, razor-sharp vocal you have a monster of a record that gets more impressive with every listen.
80
The journey to dive into commitment that Dreijer takes her listeners on with Plunge boasts more moods and colors than Fever Ray's debut, or any single Knife album; ultimately, it's some of her most powerful work with yet.
80
Pitch-shifted into a pervading mood of menace, Dreijer’s vocals grapple with sex and relationships, with political engagement never far away. Her electronics, meanwhile, are unrelentingly engaging, never just hitting presets.
75
While definitely not the easiest listen, there’s enough powerful concepts and ideas on this record that you’ll want to give it a second look
75
Plunge is a worthy addition to Dreijer’s career discography, and fans of Fever Ray and the Knife are sure to enjoy it. It’s an energetic and erotic record that may very well soundtrack some of the freakier parties you attend this fall. Still, it doesn’t capture the full scope of Dreijer’s ambition.
70
Plunge is a very unique album that can be as melodic and intimate as it can be chilling and alien. After repeated plays, all of these aspects end up being enjoyed since it is apparent that these songs were built with an honest, emotional grit.
50
Fever Ray returns in a diminished capacity with a long-awaited sophomore album.
THIS HOUSE MAKES IT HARD TO FUCK
So Fever Ray snuck through with one of my favorite albums of the year. I honestly didn't know what to expect when this album was announced; I didn't know where Karin had left to go after Shaking the Habitual and her first Fever Ray album, so I figured she'd stay on hiatus for a while longer.
Rather than a radical reinvention, though, as she usually pursues, Plunge is a refinement of the Fever Ray sound, bringing a clearer, sharper focus to Karin's voice and ... read more
So Fever Ray snuck through with one of my favorite albums of the year. I honestly didn't know what to expect when this album was announced; I didn't know where Karin had left to go after Shaking the Habitual and her first Fever Ray album, so I figured she'd stay on hiatus for a while longer.
Rather than a radical reinvention, though, as she usually pursues, Plunge is a refinement of the Fever Ray sound, bringing a clearer, sharper focus to Karin's voice and ... read more
Fever Ray shatters her hibernation with a more immediate sound, this time pumped full of a hyper-sexualized and perverse energy only she could compete with. After eight long years, she returns with a more direct approach to her sound, opting to abandon the strong atmospheric textures that pushed her debut to decade-defining status, and instead choosing to present her message with more immediacy.
Karin Dreijer Andersson, also known as Fever Ray, first made a splash in the music world as one ... read more
Karin Dreijer Andersson, also known as Fever Ray, first made a splash in the music world as one ... read more
I really don't want to sound like melon, but other than maybe 2 songs this sounds like far less interesting tracks by The Knife. I think I'll give it another listen later today before I rate though because I do really want to love this, especially because I think her S/T is one of the best albums of the 2000s.
Edit: I gave it another listen and it is simply not for me :/
Edit: I gave it another listen and it is simply not for me :/
The initial impact of this album really does not hold up with repeated listens. It just pails in comparison to the debut.
Best Tracks: Wanna Sip, To the Moon and Back, Red Trails, An Itch
Worst Tracks: IDK About You
Best Tracks: Wanna Sip, To the Moon and Back, Red Trails, An Itch
Worst Tracks: IDK About You
Year End Lists
| #3 | / | Crack Magazine |
| #3 | / | PopMatters |
| #3 | / | The 405 |
| #3 | / | The Quietus |
| #5 | / | Dazed |
| #7 | / | The A.V. Club |
| #9 | / | Pitchfork |
| #12 | / | Slant Magazine |
| #12 | / | Stereogum |
| #15 | / | Highsnobiety |
More Lists
Decade Lists
| #28 | / | Crack Magazine (2010s) |
| #66 | / | Pitchfork (2010s) |
MISC LISTS
| #1 | / | Pitchfork (Electronic) |
| #8 | / | Exclaim! (Dance & Electronic) |
Track List
- Wanna Sip
- Mustn't Hurry
- A Part of Us
- Falling
- IDK About You
- This Country
- Plunge
- To the Moon and Back
- Red Trails
- An Itch
- Mama's Hand
In Library (111)
stereogum.com
Listen: Fever Ray – “Wanna Sip (Olof Dreijer Remix)” stereogum.com
Video: Fever Ray – “IDK About You” pitchfork.com
Fever Ray Announces First Tour in 7 years 
Added on: October 26, 2017
