The pop musician that Björk called “bulletproof”
When it comes to the ultimate pioneer of experimental music, it’s hard to think of anyone as qualified as Björk.
Perhaps what is most impressive about the Icelandic powerhouse is that such labels seem far too reductive to be true. After all, Björk isn’t just an experimental musician; she’s the ultimate pioneer who knows and understands how to pour the different nuances of human existence into pure art, from our complexities in our own desires to our innate disconnection from nature.
Or perhaps even more remarkable than that is the fact that it’s hard to pick just one defining masterpiece among the wealth of gems in her discography. On the topic of nature, an easy choice would be Biophilia, but when it comes to innovation, Medúlla is right there, made entirely void of instruments in favour of a more natural approach.
Beyond her musical achievements, Björk also stands in her own league when it comes to influences and opinions, and of course, when looking at those who inspired the singer, the usual suspects come to mind, with names like Siouxsie Sioux and Kate Bush having a heavy hand in shaping her approach. However, she’s also direct when it comes to those she doesn’t rate all that much, showing that she only ever cherry-picks from those she truly considers worthwhile.
For instance, she once said she was “too much of a music lover” to be like Bob Dylan, calling his music “boring” and “nasal”. Her disregard seemed entirely down to personal taste, which makes sense coming from someone who generally prefers something to sound a little more sonically challenging. However, musicians don’t always have to be revolutionary to get Björk’s attention, as she proved once when she explained why she became drawn to a deeper cut in Michael Jackson’s discography.
“Michael Jackson is bulletproof,” she told Rolling Stone, while discussing the types of songs she likes to play when she’s DJing at her friend’s bar. “I’ve been playing a song from his last album called ‘Butterflies’. It’s got gorgeous vocals,” she continued. “His ballads are, like, I mean, how cheesy can you get? But it’s so good, you know?”
Taken from Jackson’s 2001 flop Invincible, ‘Butterflies’ isn’t exactly the first suggestion that comes to mind when thinking about Björk’s favourites. But it does have that smoothness that she loves to play with, as well as a simple melody that’s perfect for easy listening when the lyrics themselves don’t really have to matter all that much.
It also evokes the same kind of emotional response that Björk loves – the kind that can be achieved either through complex arrangements and concepts or formulaic melodies and structures. Or, the kind that she was never able to find in other literary greats like Dylan, whose music seemed to exist far away from what Björk knows and understands, with concepts and experiences that will never really fit into her wild and exuberant world.
As she concluded while describing her love for visual artist Jordan Wolfson, “When I go to galleries, I find it hard that things are always cerebral. Maybe I’m a bit old-school, but I like things that are emotional and visceral or primordial. Or maybe I’ve just been at so many music events where the main exchange or currency is feelings.”
