Exploding out of an electronic dream world, Grimes' fourth full-length release is an album of contrasts, a genre-bending marvel which grabs you by the ears and gives you a good shake.
With a mix of indie, electronica, country and more held together with a strong pop sensibility, Art Angels is this year's most exciting release.
Claire Boucher recorded and engineered the album herself, learning instruments including ukulele, violin, guitar, keyboards and drums to create her vision.
But on lead single Flesh Without Blood, it's her sugar-sweet vocals that lead the charge, alternating between earthy and heavenly.
The lyrics appear to be about lost love: "If you don't need me, just let me go", although Grimes tweeted that the song was not about a break-up.
Other songs are even darker - on the upbeat Belly of the Beat, she sings "I could leave the world today", and the translated lyrics of the Mandarin rap of Taiwanese artist Aristophanes on Scream are something else.
Venus Fly featuring Janelle Monae demands you turn up the bass as confrontational rap verses and samples fly, leaving you breathless as the end of the album nears.
Rating: 5/5
Grimes plays the Laneway Festival in Auckland on February 1.