Her New Knife transforms Björk classic into a raw shoegaze ballad ‘Pagan Poetry’
Philadelphia’s Her New Knife has released a haunting cover of Björk’s beloved track ‘Pagan Poetry,’ out now via Julia’s War Recordings. The band transforms the lush, orchestral original into a stripped-down, guitar-driven meditation that honors its emotional depth while delivering a distinct interpretation.
Drawing from their post-punk and shoegaze sensibilities, Her New Knife’s version leans into minimalism, swapping out Björk’s layered soundscapes for sparse classical and electric guitar. With additional vocals from Dylan Vaisey and Cassidy Hammond, the result is a chilling, atmospheric rendition that highlights the raw vulnerability at the heart of the song.
Guitarist and vocalist Edgar Atencio explains:
“Björk as an artist has always inspired me. In her songwriting, I’ve always found something very important to take note of. Whether that be her lyrical imagery, sonic texturing, expression, and inflection of the voice, or the pursuit of something new and personal and raw in her music.”
‘Pagan Poetry’ is out now.
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