Pitchfork

Photo by Leó Stefánsson

Anticipate! The Björk countdown has bjegun: according to a recent post on the Icelandic songstress's official website by the mysterious Meester Fly (high five to reader Adam for the tip), Björk has commenced work on her latest LP, the follow-up to 2004's Medulla-- and she's rounded up quite the little rodeo of special guests and collaborators.

Laying previous doubts to waste, the record will in fact feature a pair of duets with androgynous dude-about-town Antony. It's due in "late spring" and also boasts "some beats" from red-hot producer Timbaland on a couple tracks, "percussive delights" from Lightning Bolt's Brian Chippendale, electric thumb piano magic from Konono N°1 (but you knew that), Kora action from Toumani Diabate, and additional drum-work from Chris Corsano.

Icelandic scribe Sjón contributes some lyrics, and frequent Björk producer Mark Bell is involved once again. There's no title yet, says Meester Fly, who also reports that "nothing sounds really familiar about this experience." The presence of "beats" and "drums" and, um, instruments leads us to believe this won't sound much like Medulla.

Last but not least: Björk will be touring! No details yet, but she will have a band, and, if the words of Meester Fly are to be believed, "We are in for a treat."

As previously reported, Björk covers Joni Mitchell's "Boho Dance" on the forthcoming Joni tribute on Nonesuch, due out this spring.