A series that demystifies Björk’s music — one piece at a time. Björk Unravelled is produced independently by Savannah Wright. Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @bjorkunravelled. You’ll find a new episode in your feeds every other Thursday.
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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.)
How Björk succeeds in business without really trying (00:21:27)
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!
¿Por qué el fan típico de Bjork es un chico gay mexicano? (00:24:27)
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!
Why is Björk's average fan a Mexican gay guy? (00:21:08)
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!
How Bjork almost lost her voice (00:26:52)
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!
Digging into Fossora (Part 2) (00:30:50)
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!
Digging into Fossora (Part 1) (00:30:11)
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!
The "original" Björk podcast returns ;) (00:01:37)
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.
Utopia brought to life (with Chiara Stephenson) (00:20:17)
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!
The luminous beams of Cornucopia (with Bruno Poet) (00:18:15)
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!
Flute dancers in the dark (with Margrét Bjarnadóttir) (00:17:13)
Margrét Bjarnadóttir — choreographer of the "Utopia" music video, Utopia tour, and Cornucopia tour — discusses how her work on "Utopia" laid the foundation for the Cornucopia tour. She walks us through how she developed the choreography (without compromising the flutists’ ability to play or breathe) and how these movements compliment the music.
Plus, she’ll explain why she thinks Björk is the consummate collaborator.
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!
Bjork's chamber of secrets (with Shane Myrbeck) (00:24:23)
Sound architect Shane Myrbeck reveals the true purpose of the reverb chamber in Cornucopia and walks us through the design process. He talks about the buildings that inspired it, what it was like to collaborate with Björk, and how at one point they even considered making the chamber… a dress.
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!
Entering the world of Cornucopia (00:40:21)
Björk's Cornucopia was never an ordinary tour; it's a theatrical production.
And in this episode, I’ll share that production with you. I’ll start with the history of the tour, describe the magical audiovisual journey Björk takes you on, and conclude with a conversation with Alexander Lloyd Blake — the director of Tonality (@ourtonality), the choir that performed with Björk for these California shows.
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!
Bjork's new album, and other mysteries (00:40:01)
Björk is a woman of mystery. She gives her fans just enough to satisfy them — and withholds just enough to keep them guessing.
Some of these rumors have been resolved with time, but there’s still a long list of unreleased projects we haven’t gotten closure on.
Superfan Gabriel Lucas and I will discuss five of those projects that we never got to hear. We’ll talk about the glimpses of each that give us an idea of what they may have sounded like. And we’ll conclude with the biggest mystery of all: Björk's next album.
Gabriel's list of unreleased projects: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1p1lPvdVLOd-9z02m-YyTF0CYdgHQxNcB0Dil1KNaD-U/edit?usp=sharing
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!
LGBTQ plus Björk (00:44:20)
There’s this quote from Björk that has become sort of a meme among her fans. She says that her average listener is a gay man from Mexico. And whether or not that’s accurate, it definitely captures a larger truth: For many, Björk is a queer icon. But why?
Björk fan Ahmed Abuzaid (who suggested this topic) and I will discover the answer. I interviewed about a dozen Björk Unravelled listeners. You’ll hear, in their own words, why they identify with her music. And by the end of it, you’ll understand how Björk's music helps them, and other LGBTQ+ fans, feel safe… and feel seen.
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!
10 Björk songs that are better live (00:36:36)
Part of the magic of seeing Björk perform live comes from wondering how she’ll reinvent her songs on this tour, on this night. Björk seems to know this herself because she’s released a live record for nearly every studio album.
Superfan Chris Rodamado (@chrisrodamado) and I will talk about ten songs that hit different in-person. We’ll hear picks from six listeners, and then Chris will add four picks of his own. By the end of it, you’ll understand why you haven’t lived as a Björk fan until you’ve seen her live.
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!
Bjork breaks her silence (00:24:41)
It’s difficult to believe that the artist who wrote Utopia… didn’t always identify as a feminist.
But everything changed when Björk gave birth to her daughter, Isadora.
Here I’ll explore Björk’s feminist journey through three generations of women. I’ll start with her mother’s feminist roots, examine Björk’s rebellion against those values, and conclude with her feminist awakening through Isadora.
And through it all, we’ll discover why Björk finally spoke up.
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!
Repasando Björk Orkestral (00:39:17)
Para muchos fanáticos, Björk Orkestral fue una gira 2.0 de Greatest Hits.
Björk cantó los favoritos de todos sus álbumes. Y aunque algunos de nosotros todavía esperamos "All is Full of Love" o "Pneumonia", sí ofreció algunos arreglos espectaculares.
Estos programas demostraron que Björk está de regreso ... y aún reina.
Tony (del pagina de Instagram @bjork.live) y yo repasamos cada show de Björk Orkestral. Compartimos nuestras impresiones generales y sorpresas. Hablamos sobre cómo estas versiones se comparan con giras pasadas y lo que estos programas nos dicen sobre la carrera de Björk.
Disfrutas a Björk Unravelled? Apoya el show con una donación única (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8RAFVQKASALSQ) o una donación mensual por Anchor. Cada dólar me ayuda a hacer episodios nuevos!
Recapping Björk Orkestral (00:32:38)
For many fans, Björk Orkestral was a Greatest Hits tour 2.0
Bjork played fan favorites from all of her albums. And while some of us are still bummed she didn’t sing “All is Full of Love” or “Pneumonia,” she did deliver some spectacular performances and arrangements.
These shows proved that Bjork is back… and still killing it.
Tony (from the Instagram page @bjork.live) and I will recap each Björk Orkestral show. We’ll share our general impressions and surprises, talk about how these versions compare to past tours, and we’ll discuss what these shows tell us about Björk's career.
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!
My Björk pilgrimage (00:39:29)
I’ve been making this podcast for over a year now, and I’ve been a fan of Björk for much longer than that. But there was one aspect of her music I hadn’t experienced… I’d never seen her live.
Then on a Sunday morning in early October, I got a message from a listener named Jose... that changed everything.
In this episode, I’ll share my pilgrimage to Reykjavik for the second Björk Orkestral show. I’ll describe the places from Björk's life and career that I visited, how these places helped me to better understand and appreciate her music… And, most importantly, I’ll give you a full recap of her performance with the Hamrahlið Choir at Harpa. I even got to interview a few members of the choir, so be sure to listen to the end to hear what it’s like to perform with Björk.
Enjoying Bjork 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 will help me make new episodes!
Bjork's gloriously weird music videos (with Isobel) (00:46:12)
Björk elevated the music video to an art form. She was experimenting with AR filters before Instagram. She was making robots fall in love before Westworld. And as I mentioned in the last episode, one of her music videos was specifically commissioned by a modern art museum.
Isobel (creator of the Björk fan page @mynameisobelpage) and I will talk about ten videos you should watch — or rewatch — and why.
Enjoying Bjork 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 will help me keep the show alive!
Planet Björk with David Attenborough (00:22:44)
While other girls worshipped heart-throbs like David Cassidy or Scott Baio, Björk idolized scientists like Albert Einstein and David Attenborough.
Here I'll explore the scientific mind of Björk by taking a deeper dive into Biophilia. I’ll discuss the documentary she made about it with Attenborough. And I’ll share how that documentary changed my perspective on Biophilia.
Because I was wrong. Very wrong.
Enjoying Bjork 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 will help me keep the show alive!
What's in an album cover? (with Björk Songs as Tarot Cards) (00:45:25)
Björk's album covers are almost as important as the music. Each one features a character that tells the story of the album; to understand that character is to understand the mood and theme of the songs inside.
Saša Milic, who runs a popular Facebook page called Björk Songs as Tarot Cards, joins me to examine Bjork’s album covers one by one. We’ll decipher the album’s archetype, color palette, and fashion to learn what each cover tells us about the music itself. And Saša will make a few connections to tarot cards along the way.
Enjoying Bjork 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 will help me keep the show alive!
Bjork vs The World (00:22:46)
Björk didn’t want to be seen as a political figure. For her, the music mattered most, and it existed in a sphere beyond the day-to-day squabbles of politics. But there is one issue that activates her: climate change.
Here I’ll trace Björk's progression as a climate activist — from reluctant protester to national leader. And I’ll examine the impact this activism has had on her music and the world.
Enjoying Bjork 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 will help me keep the show alive!
The swan in the room (with Techno Prayer) (00:31:41)
If you didn’t know who Björk was before this podcast, there was probably one thing you did know about her: her swan dress.
And while that dress does capture the audacity of Björk's style, it also obscures the sheer variety of her looks.
That’s something that Federico Protto brings to light through his Instagram. He runs a Björk fashion archive project called @techno_prayer on Instagram. He's also an accomplished designer who helped design a dress for Björk.
Here we'll talk about five looks from the Bjork fashion archives. Federico will explain what they look like, who designed them, and why they matter.
And don’t worry… we will address the swan in the room.
Here's a link to the looks we're discussing so you can follow along: https://www.savannahwright.net/bjork-fashion-archive
Enjoying Bjork 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 will help me keep the show alive!
