26. Bulgaria — ‘Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares: Ritual’ by Bulgarian State Television Female Choir

I had heard of Bulgarian folk music, I even remember seeing a female choir many years ago in concert. However, I hadn’t realised how great it is — or maybe how great this choir and this album are.
The harmonies are unique, the music sounds atemporal. Some tracks sound like something you’d expect on Björk’s latest album. You must listen to it with headphones, and volume up — it’s mesmerising. It doesn’t matter I don’t understand the lyrics, it’s just so energetic and beautiful that they could be singing about doing the laundry and I’d still love it. Shame about a couple of instrumentals — they aren’t needed, and they keep you wanting to go back immediately to the choir.