Björk Unravelled

Remixes are an integral part of Björk's discography. Think about it: she has multiple remix albums — including Telegram (which remixes Post), Voltaic: The Volta Mixes, and Bastards (which remixes Biophilia). And that’s because Björk intentionally writes songs that can evolve over time.  So in the final episode of this season, I’ll count down my top 10 Björk remixes and why. (Please listen to the end for a note about future episodes.)

In 2022 Björk released her 10th studio album. Considering how many artists have stopped after five or fewer, it’s a big accomplishment. But it’s even more significant when you consider how experimental Björk's records have been, especially after Homogenic.  So how has Björk managed to make it as an artist even though she’s pretty “uncommercial”? How has she continued to create on a global scale — without compromising her bold artistic vision? In this episode I’ll share three reasons: her choice of record label, her early relationship with Nellee Hooper, and her DIY attitude. Enjoying Björk Unravelled? Support the show with a monthly donation on Anchor or a one-time donation on PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8RAFVQKASALSQ). Every dollar helps me make new episodes!

En una entrevista en 2016 con Another Magazine, Bjork dijo: “...alguien hizo una encuesta online sobre dónde estaban mis fans... ¡y aparentemente mi típico fan es un chico gay mexicano de 20 años! ¡Me sentí muy orgullosa!” En otro episodio hablé con fans de Bjork sobre porqué su música resuena en la comunidad LGBTQ+. Si aún no has escuchado ese episodio, hazlo. Se llama "LGBTQ + Bjork". Pero desde mi investigación para ese episodio, me he preguntado sobre la otra parte de esta cita: ¿por qué el fan típico de Bjork es un chico gay mexicano? Así que, en este episodio, hablaré con fans de Bjork de México sobre por qué su música resuena allí. Y juntos encontraremos tres razones posibles. ¿Te gusta Björk Unravelled? Apoye el programa con una donación mensual en Anchor o una donación única en PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8RAFVQKASALSQ). ¡Cada dólar me ayuda a hacer nuevos episodios!

In a 2016 interview with Another Magazine Björk said: “...some guy did an online survey of where my fans were… and apparently my typical fan is a 20-year-old Mexican gay guy! I was really proud!” Last season I talked to a dozen or so fans about why Björk's music resonates with the LGBTQ+ community. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, definitely check it out. It’s called “LGBTQ + Björk.” But since researching that episode, I’ve been wondering about the other part of this quote — why is her typical fan a Mexican gay guy? So in this episode, I’ll talk to some Björk fans from Mexico about why her music resonates there. And together we’ll come up with three potential reasons. Enjoying Björk Unravelled? Support the show with a monthly donation on Anchor or a one-time donation on PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8RAFVQKASALSQ). Every dollar helps me make new episodes!

Bjork's shrieks, rasps, and growls… are what make her voice her own. But they also have consequences on her long-term vocal health. Here I’ll talk about the advantages and consequences of Bjork’s unique singing style. A listener and fellow Bjork fan named Simon Mejia helped me with this episode, and we’ll each talk about how Bjork’s voice has evolved, why it’s changed, and how we as fans can embrace those changes.  Enjoying Björk Unravelled? Support the show with a monthly donation on Anchor or a one-time donation on PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8RAFVQKASALSQ). Every dollar helps me make new episodes!

This is part 2 of my track-by-track review of Bjork's new album Fossora. In this episode I’ll cover “Fagurt Er I Fjordum” through “Her Mother’s House” and I’ll share my overall impression of the album — including where it ranks in Bjork’s discography for me. Enjoying Björk Unravelled? Support the show with a one-time or monthly donation on PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8RAFVQKASALSQ). Every dollar helps me make new episodes!

On September 30th, Bjork released Fossora — her 10th studio album. In contrast to the airy sounds of Utopia, Fossora features heavy bass clarinets and deals with different subject material — including the death of Bjork's mother.  This is part one of a two-part, track-by-track analysis of Fossora. In this episode, I’ll talk about the first five songs: “Atopos” through “Ancestress" and unpack the themes and images that make this Bjork's "mushroom album." Enjoying Björk Unravelled? Support the show with a one-time or monthly donation on PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8RAFVQKASALSQ). Every dollar helps me make new episodes!

It seems like everyone is dropping a Björk podcast these days. But I, like Björk, have been underground, quietly working on new material.  Season 3 of Björk Unravelled will premiere this fall.

Stage designer Chiara Stephenson talks about how she brought Björk's sci-fi, utopian world to life in Cornucopia. She’ll discuss the natural forms that influenced the stage design, the intention behind the veils used in the show, and why working with Björk inspired Chiara to trust her instincts. Enjoying Björk Unravelled? Support the show with a one-time donation (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8RAFVQKASALSQ) or a monthly donation on Anchor. Every dollar helps me make new episodes!

Lighting designer Bruno Poet joins me to talk about how he used light to compliment the music of Cornucopia, why he thinks artists love collaborating with Björk, and why “Sue Me”... was all yellow. Enjoying Björk Unravelled? Support the show with a one-time donation (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8RAFVQKASALSQ) or a monthly donation on Anchor. Every dollar helps me make new episodes!