British singer-songwriter Kate Bush's idiosyncratic career takes on a new twist with her latest album, 50 Words for Snow.

The seven songs on the hypnotic new release are stories about the myth, magic and melancholy of snow, which Bush says she's always loved.

The album features vocal contributions from Elton John and writer-comedian Stephen Fry, who reads 50 — often made-up — words for snow against the backdrop of Bush's music.

Since her 1978 breakthrough with her debut album The Kick Inside, Bush has used her distinctive voice as an instrument for musical styles ranging from orchestral folk to New Wave.

In an interview with Jian Ghomeshi, host of CBC's Q cultural affairs show, Bush talks about why she is driven to try something different with each album.

She looks back on her early career, reflects on her long hiatus from making music during the 1990s, why she doesn't tour and her love of filmmaking.