Agelast

"**Agelast**" is the lead single of Icelandic singer Björk's third studio album. It was released on October 7, 2022, through Roc Nation. It was written and produced by Björk Guðmundsdóttir.

## Background

Originally written during the summer of 2019, Björk teased and promoted the single with an intended release date of September 6, 2019. However, unhappy with the results of the song, she never released it and subsequently went silent. Suffering from depression following the 2018 death of her mother, Hildur Rúna Hauksdóttir, Björk struggled with her creative outlet. This was only heightened during the 2020 global Covid pandemic, where Björk would return and attempt to rework the song for a late 2020 release. However, this never materialized and the singer would spend 2020 and 2021 in relative quiet at her native home in Iceland.

## Release and Promotion

Having scrapped the single and it's related album, Björk began writing and producing her upcoming album in early 2022. Halfway through the production of her album, she revisited the scrapped lead single and decided to not only include it on her album but rewrite and reproduce the single in its entirety. "The original song was dark and reflective of my spirit at the time. While still containing elements of the original, the new version is more centered on Earth, and carries hope." Björk told Billboard ahead of the release of the single. Scouting for new talent, Rihanna approached Björk in August 2022 and offered her a contract through her label Roc Nation. She would officially release the single on October 7th, 2022, over 3 years after its intended original release date.

On October 2, 2022, Björk shared a teaser poster announcing the release of a new single. The poster contained a picture from the promotional photo and the words "The First Layer". On October 4, 2021, Björk then premiered the single art of the song and announced its release date. In the following days, she shared behind-the-scenes pictures of the shoot, as well as teased the initials of the song's title. The song was pushed on multiple playlists on streaming services including Spotify and Apple Music.

### Remixes

The song has not received a remix yet but might if that Death On My Spaceship check hits the bank.

## Writing and Recording

"Agelast" begins with a soft, ice-like music box instrumental. Shortly after a rumbling electronic beat intertwines with the music box and a series of violins begin to play. Almost like a volcano in her native
Iceland, the chorus erupts into a symphony over a harsh electronic instrumental. The chorus builds up momentum before the song quiets down for the second verse, where the buildup and subsequent "eruption" take place in the second chorus. This continues into the bridge of the song, where the symphony builds up into a climatic clash between the roaring dark instrumental, all the while, Björk shows her impressive vocal range as her voice soars over the battle. The music stops abruptly, and the song takes a completly opposite approach as nature-esque sounds such as chirping birds and running waterfalls begin to play over a soft, ambient instrumental as Björk sings the outro verse.

Lyrically, the song tackles Björk's grief regarding the 2018 passing of her mother Hilda. She questions her own mortality and role as a mother in the lives of her own 2 children. Björk plays with the words "agelast" and "ageless", the prior being a person who never laughs, and the latter being how she felt in the comforting presence of her mother. In the majority of the song, Björk reflects on her childhood and the inspiration her mother was for her, while on the outro for the song Björk reflects on the strength she learned from her, and how she plans on being a better mother and grandmother because of it.

## Commercial Performance

"Agelast" is predicted to debut somewhere within the top 500 on the Hot Singles Chart.

## Critical Reception

"Agelast" was met with widespread acclaim from critics, fans, an industry peers, noting the artistic vision Björk set within her single. Hyunty entertainment said in a statement that they saw "the visiön." Popstar Demi Lovato commented and said "this is beautiful" while country star Kacey Musgraves stated "omg this looks so different and cool". Norwegian singer Dagny commented and said "finally home from work", to which Björk responded with "I'm going to eat your face."