Vespertine

De l’électro qui s’éloigne du dance en vogue à l’époque, aux accents merveilleux et grinçants, presque comme un univers de conte

Not familiar with this album. I liked her early solo work but then Bjork appeared to completely fall of my radar. Really enjoyed this album - its not the easiest or most immediate record to get into - but really rewarding by the 3rd listen. Will defn listen again. Favourite track : Aurora.

Vespertine This slow burns and burns slow like a UTI, albeit an ultimately pleasurable one. The rhythms and percussion are what stood out on first listen, kind of glitchy but also delicate and textured, and incredibly detailed. And, I imagine, painstakingly constructed. Vocally it took a bit longer to appreciate, the floaty whisperiness and unusual meter on many of the songs adds to the slightly untethered, snowy, ghostly atmosphere, but once I listened a few times the subtle, expressive, introspective tone really appealed to me. It really doesn’t sound 24 years old at all, it’s moody, swirling soundscapes and fractured rhythms sound incredibly modern, and while the melodies and lyrics initially might feel impenetrable the whole album rewards time and patience and repeat listens. I’m not quite sure where it lands on the border of 4 and 5 though. For all its unique, Bjork’s-world-in-a-snowglobe feel, and fragile, crystalline, intense intricacy, its glacial-ness can make it feel a bit distant and slightly too remote at times, But it is an undoubtedly unique and singular album by a unique and singular artist, so, despite it not being an easy album, I think it has to be a 5. 🦢🦢🦢🦢 Playlist submission: Pagan Poetry

I hear quite a lot of commonality with the contemporaneous 'Kid A', released the same year (especially 'Cocoon'). Delicate yet powerful vocal; cinematic in scope; unsettling shifts; electronic beats and synths. 'Heirloom' in particular has a melody which reveals itself evermore upon repeated listens. Although 'Hidden Place' is a gloriously immediate track to open, with it's epic Bond theme strings. There are some really divine moments here but by golly do you need patience. Vespertine feels a long album and not one that necessarily justifies its length. But, as always, many moments of greatness here.

I don't listen to Bjork much, but when I do I really enjoy it

How perfect! I've been in a huge Björk mood recently and for the longest time this has been my favorite record of hers. I'm not sure if it's still my favorite since I've been really into Homogenic recently (which somehow isn't on this list) but this is at least a close second. Vespertine is a beautiful record with a sound that feels like it doesn't belong to Earth. "It's Not up to You" is a contender for best Björk song. Favorite track: It's Not up to You 4.5/5

1. Hidden Place - 10/10 2. Cocoon - 9/10 3. It’s Not Up to You - 10/10 4. Undo - 10/10 5. Pagan Poetry - 10/10 6. Frosti - instru 7. Aurora - 8/10 8. An Echo, a Stain - 8/10 9. Sun in My Mouth - 8.5/10 10. Heirloom - 10/10 11. Harm of Will - 9/10 12. Unison - 10/10 9/10

After Björk’s first 2 albums, I kind of fell out of listening to her full albums and only really know her singles at that point. Seeing this album on here let me finally experience Vespertine, and I have to say it was great! Had a fun time this morning checking it out. 4.25 / 5

When this came out, I didn't really care for it. Giving it another listen, it is a decent album. What probably bothers me the most about this album is that it eschews the use of percussion. I still prefer Bjork's other work, but this is a decent listen if you are attentive to the interesting way the melodies are being layered.

A little more electronic and ethereal, but still enjoyable. There's a strange haunting sound that Björk gives off, and I dig it.

Very quiet and unassuming. Not great but not bad either.

Weird, but in a decent way

Interesting sound design overall, it's pretty well thought. I enjoyed this one, it's weird, trippy and fun.

2 for too long and 2 much of the same. Would be 1.5 for the actually grade but doesn't match the joke.

I like Björk, or more like, the idea of Björk. I've tried to get into her music ever since Dancer in the Dark, but what she clearly and masterfully succeeds in creating is just not a very enjoyable mixture. It's like a very exotic cocktail; made by a pagan witch, incredibly light with swirling undercurrents of darkness, and just tasting weird as hell. In short, I'm probably gonna try this album later, or her other stuff. But for now, dammit, I'm just gonna have a shot of something simpler.

I listened to this one several times. It is much more accessible than the previous Bjork album I was assigned. There are some moments of beauty. I didn’t mind it playing in the background for atmosphere. Just didn’t click with me in any meaningful way where I would search it out to listen to again.

Very Good.

Minimal and intricate music.

Lovely chill plinky-plonky tunes from my favourite Icelandic princess. Not as fun as Post but still good

I do enjoy me some Bjork

vrckasti pop koji je načelno zanimljiv, ali stvarno mi se ne dopada bjorkin glas i način na koji pjeva, a ni način na koji izgovara engleski. prenemaganje prenemaganja radi

Album carino. Ma fuori dal mio gusto del 200%.

- echt nice, war irgendwie richtig geil zum Tunneln und irgendwie einfach stimmungsvoll 4/5

ok wait i actually liked this a lot. go off bjork

what a unique, cool, and ethereal-sounding album! i know bjork's voice is... divisive... but i think it works well here. adding the lyrics and electronic/orchestral instrumentation results in a neat final product that's very out-there compared with most of the albums on this list. i wouldn't want to listen to this all the time, but it evokes a very cool and specific mood. favorites: hidden place, cocoon, pagan poetry, unison

Not my thing

How many Bjork albums are on this list?

Hidden Place sets the tone for this album and sets it pretty strong. Vespertine is an album that needs your attention, the layers to this are wonderful and Bjork is a fantastic voice. Really interesting swim here. 4 stars

obscure songs, not just basic rythems, ver small musically, singing on a new level. minimalistic, beautifull. but not easy.

Not bad. I enjoyed this, but the vocal work stayed too similar throughout. Instrumentals were pretty good though.

What can I say about Bjork that I haven't already said? I've had 3 of her 4 albums that appear on this generator before even hitting 50 albums generated, and I'm sad that the next one I get will be my last. Bjork has a gorgeous voice and a unique sound that you can't place into a genre. This is yet another fantastic album by her. Some of my favorites were It's Not Up To You, Aurora, and Unison.

I appreciate that Bjork has a certain vision on her projects. I don’t always like the music but I respect the world she creates. Vespertine seems a charming place. Easy going. Calm in its ambiance. And Bjork’s voice guides you along the way. I like how you flow from one song to the next. I enjoyed the journey Bjork takes you on this album. I liked the first half and last three songs on Vespertine best. The middle portion got a stale. The stand out song for me was It’s Not Up To You. Not sure I would play this album very much but it is a great work of art. I think a 3 rating is where I’ve landed. 3/5

Este album es muy raro. Muchos de estos temas suenan un poquito al soundtrack de minecraft y me recuerdan tmb al worm del spelunky. Pero con bjork arriba de forma medio mágica majestuosa así y con las strings que acompañan de la misma forma. Una vibe muy específica q a la primera listen no encajó mucho pero al final me gustó. Mucho replay potential. Puede ser que si no estoy en el mood me parezca algo aburrido pero es worth. Temas favoritos: it's not up to you, pagan poetry, sun in my mouth, unison. Y hidden place me deja pegada el lick ese q hacen las strings. Maybe es un 9 eh. hmmmm 5 star

The best Bjork album and in my top 5 albums of all time, not sure where it falls in that top 5 but it’s in there.

YES YES YES!!! Probably my favorite from her, although that is a tough call. Every song is a 5, but Pagan Poetry is the best. Easy 5.

A unique and sensitive album where she uses her voice as a singular instrument, discordant and beautiful. Points deducted for the 90s synthetic drum tracks.

While I like some Bjork, this was not it. All the songs bled together.

Not a fan of vocals. An interesting listen for sure. Not really my thing. But definite appreciate what she does.

While I've been exposed to the Bjorkiverse through Michel Gondry's music videos and her occasional run-ins with Thom Yorke, I've never been interested in checking out Bjork's music. The only thing of hers that sticks out in my memory is the music video for "Human Behaviour" largely due to how unbelievably shit the song was. Although this list definitely has some eyebrow-raisers, it's ultimately been a blessing with how it has loosened the gigantic stick up my music-listening ass. This is pretty close to what my ideal electronic album sounds like. It carefully tiptoes the line between being minimal and overly-busy with some good, deliberate musical choices. It's hard to grade the electronic sounds, though the harps, music boxes and other "chimey" sounds are top-notch, suit the electronic music and work well in establishing a pensive, meditative atmosphere. I feel like I'm frozen in time while listening to these songs, which is one of my favourite sensations when listening to music and also one of the rarest. The overall style of this album reminds me a great deal of the rest sublevel music from Pikmin 2 (youtu.be/YYXYniooums), which is one of my favourite ambient/electronic tunes. It's not a perfect comparison because the compositions on this album are a lot busier and more "otherworldly", but both works carry the same avant-garde spirit and general sound. 4. There aren't any moments on this album that I dislike, even if I'm not sold on the vocals. While I presently wish that someone would cut Bjork's microphone, it's likely that I will come around to her voice. Miho Hattori's vocals are an equally acquired taste and yet she belongs to one of my favourite bands.

Het is algemeen bekend dat Bjork een beetje "wazige" muziek maakt. Ondankt dat is het wel te luisteren. Dit album geeft me het gevoel van een jazz zangeres die aan het freewheelen is op muziek van Air. **

i think it's really easy to hate bjork because her music is unconventional. i actually think it's quite fascinating. her production is always top notch, and this album is no exception. her voice is as faeish and haunting as usual. i think out of all of her albums i've heard so far, this one feels maybe the most accessible? all that said, a continuing problem i have with bjork is the replayability. i think her music is quite interesting, but also i don't know that i would ever go out of my way to actively listen to this stuff on my own time.

“It’s not meant to be a struggle out there.” This album feels like an insulated soundscape. It sounds like new love and the creation of a private, internal world. It reflects the deep understanding of yourself that can emerge when you’re beside someone you love. There are so many secrets, subtle details, and a strong sense of possibility woven throughout. I really enjoyed listening to it.

Naja

Split between giving a genuine review and making a “Me when I see the horse of wisdom” joke due to Pagan Poetry.

Beautiful.

I learned after the first two albums that I don’t like Björk. So nothing has changed.

4.5 stars I already knew this album and it was a pleasure to revisit it. This is such a cohesive and beautiful work. Dreamy, chiming instrumentals are the perfect accompaniment to Bjork’s ethereal vocals. This sounds mellower than some of her other albums but no less raw. She sings about romance with a feral sexual energy. Apparently “vespertine” means “of the evening” - perfect. This is a record to listen to at twilight.

When it hits, it really hits. The music swells and Bjork's vocals grab you and they won't let go. You can really feel the devastation, the pain. It's beautiful. Those crescendos have almost a soundtrack quality to them, especially when there are strings involved. On the other hand... large sections of this album sort of float by without grabbing me. The album is never bad, it's quite pretty actually... I just think the lack of a strong beat loses me. The beats on this record are often abstract and formless. My mind wanders without a rhythm to latch onto. However, I do think this album will grow on me over time. I don't think it's meant for a challenge like this. It really feels like something I need to sit with to fully appreciate. You're supposed to casually stroll through the 64bit fairy forest admiring the scenery, not sprint through it flinging your head back and forth trying and failing to catch the highlights. I want to give it a 2.5, but i'll round up to 3 for its potential to grow on me.

3.5

If Kastro Zizo were from Iceland instead of Albania 😅

Uniformly awful and annoying.

Ok 2/5

No me gusta Björk.

An interesting listen for sure, very good musically but not something to come back to

This took me to a Hidden Place and had a nice Aurora radiating out of it. Felt like I was in a Cocoon.

It is my first listen of this album and it is fantastic. Just brlliant.

I don’t get Bjork. The music itself is ok; lofi, trance, trip pop, winding road of instrumentals that by itself isn’t bad. It is very whimsy and airy and floaty. I don’t hate it, but it’s nothing special. Then you add Bjork’s whining ranging vocals that follow no pattern, no melody, no structure, no format whatsoever on top of the mediocre instrumentals and it becomes a wild mess. I understand being experimental and pushing boundaries and trying new things, many great songs, albums, and artists have come from that. Reading reviews for this album, I was floored at how many 5s it got. I know that the subjective nature of music is such a wide scoop, but sometimes it shocks. 43 albums in and this isn’t the worst one, but it just doesn’t do it for me. I feel that on some level Bjork gets elevated because she’s different, not because she’s good. Her voice is rather harsh and her lyrics are so hyper avant garde that it just seems to be being weird for weird’s sake. 3.2/10 #43/1001

It was diffrent then my usual choice of music but not bad

Bjorks always had me confused. Do I like her music? Do I not? I never know. This album unfortunately does not clear up any confusion. Still respect her game though.

Fun and chaotic trip, 3 or 4

Already a 5/5 , then I read the wiki and wished I could raise it.intentonally choosing a sound that wouldn't lose fidelity over Napster downloads is a fascinating piece of history, and it makes me wonder about all the musical choices catered to the most likely medium it was to be played. Tom Sawyer by Rush sucks on Spotify, but is an otherworldly experience on an imperfect cassette

Has some really cool elements but didn’t work as well for me as Debut (which is the only other Bjork I’ve heard). I think her style of singing just doesn’t work as well with the chill lo-fi feel.

Mein Gott war das Schlimm, jeder Song klang gleich als ob man ne Hündin tritt die langsam jault während jemand ne Harfe dazu spielt

Nicht mein Fall.

Meh

lame

Listened Before? Y Ah yes, Bjork. Such a unique artist (especially in her time) - I feel like I need to be really stoned to appreciate her work, but it's still nice to listen to. This one was very well done and polished and I enjoyed it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Hidden Place

Today’s album confirms that I really need to give Fossora another listen. I really disliked it when it came out, but I’ve since listened to loads of other Björk music and loved it all. Today is no exception too. If anything, it’s more easy-listening that I’ve come to expect, with nothing too crazy going on here. But the vocals and the composition remain beautiful and heavenly. I’m unlikely to pick this as my favourite Björk album, but it’s still a bloody good one.

Skillfully and artfully crafted original, just not my taste

2001 was a great year for music with Vespertine the clear winner. Heavenly choruses and Serge Gainsburg inspired orchestration create a musical euphoria. Currently it’s one of my top ten albums of all time.

It's a state of emergency. I love this album.

Not for me. Im sure there are many that would love this just not my cup of tea!

not bad always liked Bjork

Points for creativity, there's obviously a uniqueness to the music going on here. It's just not all that appealing to me commercialy.

This album is weird, unique, groundbreaking, and a necessary listen for audiophiles; but I can't say I'm completely on board with what it's offering. Oddly enough, to me, this is like listening to ASMR, and I cannot stand ASMR. Every track here is so delicate that I feel like if I'll break them if I listen too hard. I get an uncomfortable feeling in my body when Björk whispers to me. And as much as I respect this album for everything it's bringing to the table, it's not my favorite of her's.

One of Björk's most hauntingly heartbreaking albums (could this be her Kid A?), Vespertine is fairytale-like in its delicate dynamism, and it sounds absolutely incredible on a good pair of headphones.

Has Bjork gotten bjorker over time? Because I usually find her unlistenable, but this wasn't quite that bad for me. I still definitely didn't like it, but I've got sure heard worse from her.

If I had to pay to listen to a stoned Icelandic woman who recorded her own farts on an album, I would be mourning the loss of that precious money to this day. I've listened to some of Bjork's early stuff, and some of it was actually pretty good. But this album wasn't worth the time I spent listening to it. 2 stars and I'm being generous.

4.2 - This was really cool, interested to hear more. I feel like the cadence of her voice is a bit jarring but might get easier with more listening

Beautiful, but quite overrated if you ask me. Fave Tracks: Hidden Place, It’s Not Up To You, Unison 3.6/5

Amazingly talented artist. And yet, generally I'm good after listening to like three of her songs.

Interesting textures and layers of the background music, smooth silky vocals, but some of the songs just meander aimlessly.

I started off kinda disliking it and by the end it actually won me over quite a bit. Maybe more listens = more good in the future?

This is an odd album. Lyrically it’s deeply personal but musically it’s rather disconnected, like an atmospheric sound track album, and in all honesty once the novelty of the concept has worn off it’s a bit underwhelming. I think this album exemplifies the principle that it’s easy to overthink creativity, to have so many influences and ideas, to seek so hard for the outré, that whatever wood you once had gets lost in the trees. There’s just too much going on here sonically without anything quite landing. She tried to top Homogenic and that proved too much, for now.

Hated every minute of it. Some of it was just painful to listen to

Björk: 1 keer 4 sterren, 1 keer 1 ster. Nogal een verschil, dus heel benieuwd wat het deze keer gaat zijn! Daarnaast; hoeveel Björk albums staan hier op joh? Ok, eerste nummer is het meteen duidelijk waar FKA Twigs haar inspiratie vandaan heeft gehaald voor het EUSEXUA album, welke ik echt fantastisch vind. Dat vind ik van het eerste nummer dus ook; moody, duister en een soort van wegzakkende opener? Ik kan het niet helemaal beschrijven, maar ik vind het wel heel vet! Ontzettend trippy album, de productie is vaag en heerlijk trippend met glitchende beats en daar doorheen is continue de stem van Björk. Dit alles mengt zich in een soort angelic, matrix achtig album, ik vind het echt heel vet. Niet alles werkt even goed, en het is dan ook geen perfect album maar dit is absoluut weer 4 sterren waard. FAVO: Hidden Place, Undo, Aurora, An echo a stain, Heirloom, Unison

Now - that's the 4th album of Björk. I really don't know why. Support for alternative music is OK, but in comparison with other wonderful and important artists, 1 Album in the 1001 - list would have been far enough. **** A request to the developer of this Web-App: please enable 0 points in the possible scale.

Easy listening while I was working, but nothing worth revisiting

Wow! This was incredible and easily the most I’ve ever enjoyed Björk. I’m going to tell people to start with this one if I ever get a chance. I’ve made a few passes at her discog over the years, but somehow never hit play on this one. You can really see where Thom Yorke got inspired for his own solo career. Anyway, the whole thing was beautifully produced, melancholic but also rapturous in its own way. Beautiful and interesting all the way through. M-L #121.

9/10

Day467 - is it 1 star cause it’s so weird or is it 5 stars cause it’s so weird? i’ll split the difference

I liked some of the programming on this, especially at the start, but Bjork is the Indie Whitney (or Adele) - she sings too much. Pleasant, in a 90s underground dance music way. The production & vibe took me back there temporarily. Which is to say this maybe hasn't aged that well.

She's a one. Actually, this is half decent. Some lovely sweeping moods, with her warbling all over the top. It has a decent ambience throughout. There's not enough use if harps in modern day music.

Might be my favorite Bjork on this list. A good blend of older songmanship and electronic sounds. 3.5/5

Album 745 of 1001 Björk - Vespertine (2001) Rating : 2.5 / 5 Not terrible but just not my thing. Several interruptions while listening could have affected the experience.

I’m not entirely certain I enjoyed this album anywhere close to as much as the last Björk album we listened to on this list. This album had a delicate beauty to it, especially compared to the relatively high energy bangers on the last record we listened to. I don’t dislike this album at all, but I had some preconceived notions of Björks music going into this, and I didn’t really get what I was hoping for. Along with the delicateness and softness of this album, there’s a really interesting low fidelity sound throughout, it’s a very cool record sonically. I still the vocal style employed throughout, the uniqueness of her accent and her very specific variety of vocalizations work really well with the music that was produced, and I still enjoyed it a lot. 3.5* will apparently get rounded up this time.

I am of the belief that Björk released 2 all-time bangers of albums and it's all been downhill from there. Luckily this album was pretty early on the downhill so it's still pretty good. There's a sonic quality to this album that reminds me a lot of the like ~2007-2012 ish indie lo-fi freak folk type stuff, and I think it's pretty neat that Björk was a bit ahead of the curve on that sound. And I think she does it well. I like the first half of this album more than the second half. "Hidden Place" and "It's Not Up to You" are the real keepers from this album imo, but "Cocoon" and "Pagan Poetry" are up there too. The back half of the album, I feel like for a lot of the run time the music is a little too sparse or minimal to balance out her vocals and the cumulative effect of the two just isn't really something I care for all that much. Apparently one of Björk's goals in making this album was to create songs that could endure the process of being shared and downloaded and reshared on Napster/Limewire/Kazaa/etc however many times without sounding significantly worse. I think that explains a lot about why the album sounds the way it does and is also a really interesting decision for an artist to make. I continue to admire Björk's creativity and thoughtfulness as a producer. On this album and increasingly more so in her later albums, her vocals become a bit abrasive at times and overshadow the general musical talent she has in spades. But there are so many beautiful and lush textures and soundscapes on this album made from very small pieces, it remains an enjoyable listen nonetheless.

Didnt love or hate it- had some good moments but was a little one note.

## In-Depth Review of *Vespertine* by Björk Released on August 18, 2001, *Vespertine* is Björk's fourth studio album and a landmark in her discography. It represents a shift from the confrontational and dramatic style of her previous album, *Homogenic*, to a more intimate, introspective, and intricate soundscape. Below is an extensive analysis of its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with its pros and cons. --- ### **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Vespertine* are deeply personal and poetic, exploring themes of intimacy, love, eroticism, and self-reflection. Inspired by Björk's relationship with artist Matthew Barney and her experiences during the filming of *Dancer in the Dark*, the lyrics often delve into vulnerability and sensuality. Songs like "Cocoon" feature explicit yet tender imagery of physical intimacy ("He slides inside / Half awake, half asleep"), while others like "Undo" offer reassurance and emotional healing ("It's not meant to be a struggle uphill")[1][4]. Björk draws from literary influences such as E.E. Cummings and Sarah Kane to craft lyrics that feel confessional yet universal. The first-person perspective dominates much of the album, creating an immersive emotional experience for listeners. Tracks like "Pagan Poetry" express unrequited love with raw honesty ("I love him, I love him"), while "Hidden Place" speaks to the creation of a private sanctuary between two people[1][4]. --- ### **Music** Musically, *Vespertine* is characterized by its intricate arrangements and minimalist approach. Björk aimed to create "modern chamber music," blending organic instruments like harps and strings with electronic textures such as microbeats crafted from everyday sounds (e.g., shuffling cards, cracking ice)[1]. The result is a delicate interplay between acoustic warmth and synthetic precision. The album incorporates elements of electronica, ambient, glitch pop, folktronica, and art pop. Tracks like "Frosti" use music boxes to evoke a fairy tale-like intimacy, while "It's Not Up to You" combines soaring strings with glitchy beats to create an uplifting yet melancholic atmosphere[1][4]. Björk’s vocals are often recorded close to the microphone in an unstable whisper or falsetto, enhancing the sense of intimacy[1][4]. --- ### **Production** The production on *Vespertine* is one of its standout features. Björk collaborated with producers such as Matmos, Console, Zeena Parkins (harpist), and others to achieve a sound that feels both intricate and ethereal. The use of microbeats—created from unconventional sources—adds texture and depth to the album's sonic palette[1][5]. Björk’s meticulous attention to detail ensures that every sound serves the album's overarching mood of introspection and domesticity. For example, the static loops and white noise evoke analog warmth while complementing the digital elements. The production balances fragility with strength; moments of hushed awe are juxtaposed with lush crescendos[4][5]. --- ### **Themes** Thematically, *Vespertine* revolves around intimacy—both emotional and physical—and the magic found in everyday life. Björk described it as an exploration of "the universe inside every person," focusing on internal landscapes rather than external ones[2]. The album transitions from domesticity (its working title was *Domestika*) to themes of love-making and connection. Winter imagery permeates the record; muted beats resemble footsteps in snow, creating a cold yet comforting atmosphere[5]. The idea of cocooning—retreating into oneself or into a relationship—is central to tracks like "Hidden Place" and "Cocoon." This thematic depth makes *Vespertine* one of Björk’s most emotionally resonant works. --- ### **Influence** *Vespertine* has had a profound impact on electronic music and art pop. Its fusion of acoustic instruments with glitchy textures paved the way for artists exploring similar hybrid styles. Critics have hailed it as one of Björk’s most influential albums for its ability to imbue electronic music with soul[3][5]. The album also set a precedent for deeply personal storytelling in pop music. Later works by Björk (*Vulnicura*, *Utopia*) build upon the emotional vulnerability introduced in *Vespertine*. Its timeless production ensures that it continues to resonate with listeners decades after its release[2][4]. --- ### **Pros** - **Innovative Sound Design**: The combination of microbeats with acoustic instruments creates an otherworldly atmosphere unlike anything else. - **Emotional Depth**: The lyrics are raw and intimate, offering a deeply personal listening experience. - **Timeless Production**: The album avoids sounding dated due to its meticulous arrangements and experimental textures. - **Cohesive Themes**: The focus on intimacy and internal landscapes gives the album a strong conceptual unity. - **Influence**: It has inspired countless artists in electronic music and art pop. --- **Cons** - **Density**: The intricate production can feel overwhelming or overly complex for some listeners[3]. - **Pacing**: At nearly 56 minutes long, the album’s slow tempos may make it feel monotonous or overly drawn-out for certain audiences[3]. - **Accessibility**: Unlike earlier albums (*Debut*, *Post*), *Vespertine* lacks immediate hooks or pop appeal; its beauty reveals itself gradually[4]. --- **Conclusion** *Vespertine* is a masterful exploration of intimacy through sound. Its delicate balance between organic warmth and electronic precision showcases Björk at her creative peak. While its density may alienate casual listeners, those willing to immerse themselves will find an emotionally rewarding experience that continues to influence music today.

Beautiful songs, and so what if they are weird and unconventional. I've never listened to anything from this artist apart from her hits. I think I will listen to a lot more now.

Growing up, Björk was one of those names I’d hear all the time, but never really heard her actual music. I was always under the impression that she was for people that really understood music, people who really get it. Well, I don’t think I get it. The album just didn’t do much for me, and I found it difficult to look past her annoying vocals. Musically, there were parts that I’d find interesting, but nothing that really grabbed me. Idk, it’s not for me.

Slow and just pretty meh

WHY SO MUCH BJORK????

I cannot distinguish any of Bjorks albums. I think there were parts that I enjoyed but her style is odd and kinda annoying to me.

very good album, every song on here has great textures and the rating on this website is criminal

good album, not massive on bjork but probably my favourite of hers

There was a period of my life between my late teens and early 20s where I had Bjork on heavy rotation. I haven't revisited in probably at least 10 years so. No reason in particular, I just drifted away to newer music and haven't revisited most from that era. When I saw Bjork was on the list a few times I was excited to revisit. I was initially a bit disappointed by the inclusion of "Vespertine" on the list over "Post" or "Homogenic" because I remember liking those a lot more (especially "Post") whereas "Vespertine" was always one I liked a bit less of what she had released at the time. Revisiting it I am more impressed by it than when I was younger. While I think "Post" in particular of the ones I mentioned is more "listenable", "Vespertine" is more interesting musically. There is a lot of texture to the music you can get lost in. It has a certain feeling about it that makes me think of the seasons. It starts with spring and rewinds slowly back into winter, then fall, summer, and to the previous spring. Like watching a time lapse video of the forest in reverse. Anyway, lovely to revisit this. Even more wonderful to like it more that I remembered. 5 stars, would let her take me on a fae journey through the woods again.

Björk divides opinions and this album is no exception, but personally I like most of what she does, including this album. This album is more ethereal sounding and less pop than some of her earlier albums.

Highlights: Frosti, Undo, An Echo A Stain, Harm of Will. In a nutshell: because the night... Vespertine: "Occuring, relating to or being active at night". This album establishes a vibe and sticks to it. And it is a cinematic experience. You need to be in the right mood to listen a Björk album, especially when she gets experimental. Here we have ethereal sounding choirs, synth use reminiscent of Radiohead's Kid A, a tune you would hear if opening a music box... We don't have many - if any- albums on the list that incorporate modern classical elements. So at the very least we should give Björk and her producers some credit for trying something different. Overall: 7/10 Footnote: Yes, Björk is wearing *that* swan dress from the Oscars on this album cover. The swan illustration veiling the photo was a good choice IMHO.

album original, bonito, é como um gato miando de forma sinconizada e harmonica com os sinos e esquiositez. lindo lindo!

Музыка доводит до эйфории, а вот к звукам исполнительницы еще не привыкла.

Bjork is esoteric...I don't get her or her music style. It's all over the place. It is often light and delicate, almost mousy, often including unique instruments like chimes. Sometimes she'll demonstrate some powerful vocals. But none of it makes sense to me. It got rather annoying after a while.

Bjork siempre me ha intrigado por ser críptica y experimental con su música, su creatividad no reconoce limites , solo por eso

Just ok. Liked one song “unison”

Eclectic

Good Bjork

I like this album, but I'm not sure if that is despite or because I find it difficult to properly engage with it. It is therefore pleasant background music to me, which sounds more like a slight that it is. I will definitely put it on again, but when people are round and I want something nice in the background.

The instrumentals and orchestrations are truly one of a kind. They sound angelic and magical. Bjork's voice distracts from the beautiful arrangements because it is difficult to understand due to both her accent as well as her delivery.

Art meets music. Amazing voice. Interesting lyrics and ongoing experiments in sound.

Not for me.

Not for me

This was such a unique listen. Poppy, trippy, eerie, and a whole lot of creativity. No weak spots, and every song is so captivating because you have no idea where it's going to do. Very fresh sound and has aged remarkably well

The early-to-mid 2000s are my favourite era of Bjork. Delicate electronica with that signature Bjork weirdness.

"Vespertine" marked a major departure from Bjork's previous work. She'd previously been the punk Icelander who found a new home in the London club scenes (including recording in the bathrooms there). Her previous album "Homogenic" (criminally omitted from this list) had been a maximal and aggressive exploration of (among other things) dramatic landscapes. "Vespertine" however was the opposite of everything that Bjork had ever been. It's a deeply introverted album, evoking feelings of wanting to stay at home and perhaps hide under the kitchen table when the doorbell rings. It's not a lonely album though. It was inspired by her relationship with artist Matthew Barney and feels like a celebration of love between two people who need to shut the rest of the world out for a while to be fully together and simply be. Fittingly, the music is also a major change from her previous works. Whereas "Homogenic" was filled with full bodied synths, distortion, and strings, everything on "Vespertine" is much more intimate. The string quartets are replaced by much more personal harp performances. The earth-shattering electronics are replaced by microbeats, largely built from recording and manipulating everyday options and actions. Microbeats are something of a forgotten art. The effect is like a having a small mouse climb over your arms. It's gentle and lightweight in a way that's exceedingly rare in popular music. Bjork will forever be dogged by the idea that she's being weird for weirdness' sake. It's a deeply unfair characterization of a passionate artist who finds beauty in such an unusual corners of life. "Vespertine" is not my favorite album of hers, but I think it may be the most unique and beautiful of her career.

I want to like Björk, I’ve tried to listen to her work…but it just doesn’t do it for me. 2⭐️

It’s Björk, quirky and infinitely interesting. I definitely appreciate her existence and contributions even if this is something I might only listen to once.

I already listened to her debut album before this one, and I have to say - this time, nothing really stood out to me. I guess because it felt like more of the same? Though I do love the ethereal notes here.

Compared to her debut, this album is more experimental and less accessible. The songs blur into one another, creating what charitably could be called cohesive, but in my case it is indicative of being monotonous. There is a lot of artistry and creativity on display, but the result is just hard to get onto.

The fuck was this shite

⁣⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪ ⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪ ⁣⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪ ⚪⚪🔵🔴⚪⚪⚪ 🌋🪸🦣 🪷

A pleasant detour from the usual albums. I wouldn't consistently listen to Bjork but I don't mind being reminded she is out there

This seemed like an odd album - I rather liked the music, but as usual found Bjork's vocals rather difficult to like!

First started listening in the car and in the wrong state of mind...hated it so I stopped. Came back to it when I was in a quiet place and a calm state of mind...thought it was okay. The instrumentation was really cool.

Very chilled and lovely, and lots of interesting stuff going on musically. One of Bjork's best, for me. 4.5☆

Björk - Vespertine 3/5. Björk explaining how tvs work: 5/5

Creative and whimsical. I love Bjork

Nope, this was exceptionally difficult to get through. Lots of distractions. Not for me.

Bjork albums take more focus than any other I can think of. This one was beautiful and made much more of an impact on me than previous listens. No one else can make this. It is unique to her other albums and has a consistent tone throughout. I still like Debut more, this or Post would be fighting for second spot. Rating: 4.8

Tyttö osaa olla outo respect!!!!!!! Not like the other girls... I never shake booty never play with barbies never wear pink... always play with bugs

First time listener of Bjork. Heard of her, but never listened. I don’t know if this album is representative of her typical work, but, surprisingly, I enjoyed it. Not a fan of electronic music at all, but the song writing and incredible voice made up for that. She has a beautiful voice and great range. Very emotional tie to the music she is writing. Good album, never got bored.

Fun noisy pop!

it was ok

I recognize her talent but I just don’t care about this

björk is maybe the ultimate "basically objectively good but just not for me" artist

The highlight of the album for me is It’s "Not Up to You" A beautifully crafted track that stands out among the rest. But beyond that, much of Vespertine tends to blur together in a soft, atmospheric haze. It’s delicate and intricate, but I think you really have to be in the right mood for Björk to fully appreciate it.

'Hidden Place' is where she should have kept this album.

The last Bjork album that I really engaged with - beautiful instrumentation, this is almost chamber music - and feels a little like Music to Hibernate To. Amazed the earlier Homogenic didn't appear make the cut though - that is one of the albums of the 90s for me.

Ain’t gonna lie, I was worried going into this after the bowl of shite served up with the last Bjork album we received on this list. Turns out this is a masterclass in experimentation. Bjorks sound doesn’t really appeal to me so it’s a max 4 stars, but I’m totally appreciating the creativity and production that underpins this album. A fine body of work.

It’s Not Up To You // Undo // Frosti // Heirloom // Unison

Not my cup of tea. But I will defend to the death her right of expression, even if I am not 100% on board with what she’s expressing

Ok. Pretty.

how does she do it? i am still trying to wrap my head around how Bjork decides which sound she's going to pursue one each project. if an artist says "this is my album where i make sandwiches" or "this is my mushroom album" you're likely to say "pff, these artists say the craziest things to sell records". when Bjork says it, she means it, and you trust her. she makes an album full of plucky strings and found sounds and skittery, ear-flipping beats, and it makes sense. there is no mainstream, there is no underground, there is simply Bjork. i would also like to say that i appreciate not only how sexual the album is, but how the sex is equal parts sacred and casual. honestly, isn't that how it is in the real world? like religion, sex pervades our lives, whether its in comfort, in violence, in ritual, in affirmation. there are those who use sex as a tool to control others, and those who use sex as a form of celebration. like the little clicks and whistles in your ear, it is still a part of you and your experience as an elevated being, whether in presence, absence, or disinterest. we pray to our gods, gathering orgone, but also feel impulses of inspiration, whether it's bouts of arousal or desire for your other part(s). even when not in devotion to it in this way, most of us still feel love in erotic or platonic ways, and dissolve into it with sheer joy. that is what this album is about. one enters love like a swimming pool, the nip of the cool water against your skin almost frightening as you wade in; then, breaking fragile hesitation, you plunge underneath and let it surround you.

Frosti 10/10

This one really challenged me with the experimental soundscapes that are a bit beyond my musical comfort zone, which is what I absolutely love about the 1001 album listening journey! BJÖRK is an artist I’ve been somewhat familiar with beyond her early career with The Sugarcubes and understood to have significant accolades for her unique and inventive song structures, however I’ve always been reluctant to dedicate the time required to fully absorb her music. Primarily, my listening experience to her output has been with the more mainstream tracks from the 90’s records Debut and Post, as I tend to overlook the more pure electronic and ambient genres, however I have appreciated elements of these styles that bands such as Radiohead and to a greater extent Portishead have brilliantly incorporated into their discographies. The recording here includes an array of instrumentation that transcends a fixed category, as BJÖRK fuses electro-beats with strings and even music boxes! Having listened to this album in its entirety, as a full body of work, is what makes me appreciate what the artform of a record can be as a true sensory experience. Dreamy, melodic, ethereal and wintery are feelings this album emotes, adding that it also appears to be deeply personal and intimate through the evocative vulnerability in her lyrics. 🎧 Classic Track- Hidden Place 🎧 Hidden Gem- Harm of Will 🎧 Personal Favourite- Pagan Poetry Now BJÖRK’s voice can be an acquired taste and at times distracts from the lush sensuality of the album’s production. It will demand repeated listens to fully grasp the broad scope of intricate details and meaning, however my initial reaction was a definitive 4 rating! 🖼️ Album Artwork: Glorious 💿 Add to your vinyl collection! Click the thumbs up icon below if you enjoyed my take on the album :)

I really want to like Bjork. I feel like a basic bitch, but her sound is just too weird for me. Especially this album of bloops, bleeps, and atmospheric meanderings.

Bjarf

Kim didn’t like this one- it was weird vibe

This was fine. I appreciate the artistry, i'ts just not something I'm ever going to pick.

This is really interesting music —orchestral, ethereal— and that voice is … something else. Everything, from the rhythms, synth landscapes, to strings, and vocals is well crafted & intentional. It’s not music i want to listen to every day, but I’m glad I listened to it (at least once) before I died. Rating this a three might suggest I’m ambivalent about it, — I’m not. It’s too engaging. But a four might imply that I “like” this sound and will listen to it a lot — I probably won’t (too much work). I give in — it’s a 4.

what a weird drug trip through fairy land...

one

WHAT THE HELL MAN 😭😭😭😭😭 STOP IT STOP I JUST GOT BJORK’S DEBUT 3 DAYS AGO LEAVE ME ALONE I HATE HER Bjorks lyrics have no structure and her voice is just unbelievably annoying. I am so pissed she has four albums on this list.

Enjoyable, but doesn't feel as memorable as some of her other albums. 3/5

One of the greatest albums of all time. Had the entire album in my Spotify wrapped one year. There's nothing I can add about this album that hasn't already been said. It's perfect. Fave track. Hidden Place, Cocoon, It's not up to you, Pagan Poetry, Heirloom, Unison Least Fave track. N/A

You ever get so horny you start layering sting instruments with electronic production? Bjork solidified her place in the Asian-looking but not Asian HOF with this one. I prefer Post but can appreciate the interesting genre combinations on Vespertine. Intimate in a very peculiar way. It's certainly your favorite artist's favorite album, but I'm not your favorite artist. Rating: 8.4 Favorite Song: Frosti

I recognize the inventiveness here. However, not really my bag. But I recognize she’s cooking a bit here. 7.5/10 Favorite Song: It’s Not Up to You

An absolutely stunning album by Björk. Everything about it vocals, production, writing, mixing, and arrangement is just incredible. It’s the definition of ASMR in music. The album never dips in quality, not even close; it's pure peak art pop from start to finish. Overall, a fucking masterpiece.

Disappointed because I loved Debut, but this album was really boring.

Good meditative music here

Yes! But i also had to repeat the album multiple times, because i kept losing focus. It is very calm, lullaby like and very ART!

Truly not a fan of Bjork’s style. Her singing style is intentionally disjointed, airy, obtuse, untamed, and just odd. However, this album was not nearly as preposterous as her others. It of course strays from the standard song signature and seeks out oddities, but it also contains a fair amount of beauty, a strong musical composition, and singing that coincides more appropriately with the music. I was surprised, but this is still not something I would seek out. I objectively give this album a 4. The last song was a strong ending.

Overall: 8/10 This is a hauntingly gorgeous pop album from the queen of Iceland. My favourite thing about Björk is that her strangeness feels authentic and you're always anticipating her next move (which never ends up being what you expect). The only reason it's not getting a perfect rating is because I don't anticipate this being the type of album that I'm constantly going to be coming back to. Regardless, I love Björk's voice and her mind and I recommend this to everyone. Fav Song: Heirloom Least Fav Song: An Echo a Stain

Second bjork in a row. Not impressed v boring

Powerful, weird, whimsy, dark, and breathy. I can’t tell where one song ends and the next begins in this Icelandic fairytale.

I love this album. It's one of Bjork's most intimate. It's etherial, delicate and dreamlike. Mostly produced out of her home in Iceland, Björk set out to create a “quiet” album with sounds that felt like they were being whispered into your ear. Employing “microbeats” she finds unconventional sounds to add texture and percussion. If you're a fan of Burial, you'll recognize how this technique can employ layers of sound and atmosphere. She would also work closely with Matmos, an experimental electronic duo, who contributed detailed textures using unconventional samples, such as recordings of insects walking on leaves. Real headphone listening. I'd also like to add that hearing "Pagan Poetry" live (perhaps whilst of some form of mind altering substance) is quite transcendent.

Not bad

A few songs that I liked but…

It’s not up to you is one of my favorite songs ever, like top 20 probably

I do not like Bjork 2/5

First time listening to a Björk album end to end! Crystal clear voice and real depth to the arrangements and production come together to create something alien but warm. Great pacing to the tracks, they swell not just in dynamics but (even more so) texture. Love the variety of synth/instrument tones. Listened to this album as the sun went down, perfect match. Favourite tracks: It's Not Up To You, Pagan Poetry, An Echo A Stain, Heirloom, Harm Of Will

Favorite Track: Pagan Poetry

Very creative and well produced but grating on my ears

Yup, not enjoying this one at all compared to her 90's releases. Boring music. I giver 2/5 stars because she's got some decent lyrics, but that's about it.

she’s a genius

Not bad. But nothing really grabbed me either.

OVERALL: I was kinda putting this album off because I was really sick, but after listening I realize that I had to have listened to this earlier. Every single song is absolutely phenomenal, and I have to nitpick in order to find something slightly bad about them. Björk has some of the best vocals I have ever heard, and her production is basically perfect if you ignore the occasional worm tunneling. The only thing that I might not like is that it is very much about sex, which is pretty weird but is used surprisingly well. This album is maybe the most beautiful one I've ever listened to, except for maybe blond. SONG AVG: 9.485/10 PERSONAL RATING: 9.87/10 Hidden Place: I like the sounds at the beginning, but the melody that follows is pretty weird. I find Björk's voice to be pretty bad at the start, but it quickly becomes very good. Absolutely incredible production, I cannot describe how incredible it sounds. Absolutely incredible choirs. I can't really understand what Björk is saying, but it sounds pretty good. I will say that the music video is weird as hell. 9.5/10 Cocoon: I have no idea what is happening. It sounds very unsettling, but the vocals are pretty good. The production is overall pretty good. Nice percussion, and the mystery instrument is pretty good. I don't really like the ASMR whispering. 8.65/10 It's Not up to You: Absolutely incredible chorus. I love the production when it isn't playing a worm tunneling-like noise in my ears. Excellent vocals and choirs, quite literally the only thing I don't love about this song is that I sometimes don't really know what she's saying and the worm tunneling noises are kinda weird. Also the outro is pretty weird. 9.87/10 Undo: Once again, the production is amazing in every single aspect with the exception of the worm tunneling. The last half of this song is absolutely angelic. Love it. Also the vocals are pretty good. I guess the ooh-wahs might be a little annoying and the outro is kinda weird, but that's it. 9.92/10 Pagan Poetry: This is just overall perfect. I can only nitpick so hard, and I can only come up with: the lyrics are kinda hard to make out. That's it. Listen to this immediately. 10/10 Frosti: The intro is kinda weird, but I really like it. The instrument (most likely a music box or glockenspiel) is used incredibly. I love how well it transitions into the next song, but it does kinda end abruptly. Also, no vocals. 8.75/10 Aurora: Fantastic vocals, maybe my second favorite on this album in terms of vocals. The production compliments the vocals very well, and they are really well excecuted. The only thing I don't really like are the worm tunneling, which is (unfortunately) brought back. Also snow crunching is here, but that is actually used really well. 9.88/10 An Echo, a Stain: Had to go to genius to confirm something, this is about sexual assault. So other than that, the vocal performance is absolutely incredible. It sounds very ominous and unsettling, which matches the theme of the song. The production matches and makes the song much more intense, and is overall just really good. I guess the only "bad" thing is that it's very ambient and uncomfortable, but I find that to be a good thing about it. 10/10 Sun in My Mouth: Apparently this is an excerpt from a poem, which perfectly matches the theme of this album. Fantastic vocals and incredible production, but it is the second shortest song on this album. It does lose some points since the lyrics are just from a poem, but it's still really good. 8.75/10 Heirloom: The percussion at the start made me think this would sound much different. Anyways, the vocals are just as good as everything else on this album. The production is very nice, although it can sound pretty weird at some sections. As much as I like this, I will say that the lyrics are kinda basic and aren't anything too special. I guess the metaphor and the recurring dream have nice imagery. The outro, although I think it sounds good, is definitely weird and is not for everyone. 8.25/10 Harm of Will: It sounds absolutely incredible, and the vocals are unbelivably good, but I cannot figure out what Björk is saying. The production is incredible, especially the massive orchestral build up. Anyways, I do not know what the lyrics mean. I know it means something about sex, but I am super confused. Just know that it sounds good. 9.25/10 Unison: Potentially a perfect song. I am struggling to come up with anything I thought was mediocre. I guess it's really long and there are sometimes some weird synths, but that's about it. Björk has her best vocal performance on this album (imo), and everything in the production are worked perfectly. Everything from the choirs to the percussion to the strings are not only used perfectly, but are also used in a great way that perfectly captures what makes this album special. It does end abruptly, but that works and adds to the overall atmosphere of the album. Fantastic example of both a perfect song and a fantastic album ending. 11/10

goddddd this is just so beautiful it almost makes me feel nauseous—there’s some music that just makes me react in that way. it’s sort of like anxiety, the sensation of something collapsing on me. i don’t know how else to explain it! it takes a lot of energy to listen to this but i don’t think that’s a bad thing. strange and exciting sounds, blindingly beautiful lyrics. also “unison” is on my sam/frodo fanmix hehe. fav tracks: cocoon; it’s not up to you; an echo a stain; sun in my mouth; heirloom; unison

really interesting and weird obviously. i respect bjork's work but the super weird songs are not usually the ones i gravitate towards -- i think i enjoy bjork when she's more "accessible" to the untrained ear...but i still enjoyed listening to this a lot.

Lempparit: Undo ja Hidden place

Swan dress Bjork rules. One of her more tender albums that I don't throw on too often. That being said, the singles are hard.

Mommy! I want milk! Favourite Songs: Hidden Place, It's Not Up To You, Pagen Poetry, Sun in my Mouth, Unison. Least Favourite Songs: Forsti.

Didn’t warm to this. Quite a difficult listen.

I mean, what am I going to say that hasn't been said before, it's Vespertine. I'd never actually listened to this as a whole album before, so thanks for that, but yeah - it's sumptuous, it's ethereal, it's incredibly horny in a surprisingly wholesome way, Björk's vocals are exquisite, and it turns into Wintergatan in the middle. What's not to love?

I love this album.

Bjork at her ethereal haunting best - what a great album to sink into and ignore the world! I only really knew the singles from this before, so it was good to listen to the rest of the album for once - will be added to my play later pile for certain

Whoa what. I have never listened to Bjork before and was not ready for this to be this good. Captivating is a good word for it, I think. I really enjoyed this. Several tracks stood out: "Hidden Place," "It's Not up to You," and "Pagan Poetry" were my favorites. It reminded me a lot of elements I love in Radiohead's Kid A.

ve och fasa vilken skit

I love how bare Björk's emotions are when she performs. This is a joyous, sexy album, lush and layered.

Very good

It's an hour of Bjork, not sure what else to say... 1/5

her voice is gorgeous and the production is super atmospheric. I couldn't really pick out a standard track as it all blurs and I don't think this is an album I will revisit very much. Still glad I listened. 4

I like the sound of this. It’s Not Up To You is a good song. It’s a difficult listen on first try but not unpleasant.

Ethereal music. Great for any situation when looking for low energy chill

Very nice

1. That would have been a lot better if Björk didn't sing 2. Somehow worse singing than the previous track 3. So far, this is my favorite Björk song. I'll never listen to it again because it also sucked, but it's the best offering I've heard from her 4. "It's not meant to be a struggle" is often repeated in this song. This is very much a struggle 5. This would maybe be an ok song if it was someone else singing 6. Wonderful! Note to reader: did not have Björk's voice. New favorite Björk song! 7. Ugh. Skipped 2 minutes in. More of the same 8. Skipped 3 minutes in. Not objectionable, but pretty meh 9. Skipped 2 minutes in. There is nothing for me here 10. Björk talks about losing her voice here. That's the dream, ain't it? 11. OMG, Björk is Yoko Ono! (See her perform with Chuck Berry for evidence) 12. This wasn't objectionable, but not did I find it enjoyable Björk is like a joke the world plays on me that I'm too stupid to understand. How does she have at least two albums on this list? Out of 1001 possible artists, they fucking picked her TWICE? TWO TIMES? And Stevie Ray Vaughan isn't on the list? That's just one example of hundreds

If Werner Herzog made music

Jacked off

3.4 stars rounded down. Warm album about new and growing love. It’s cozy and fuzzy and works as an ensemble album on this theme. No one track stands out and many of the tracks though rather experimental at the time now sound somewhat interchangeable. I still enjoyed this revisit to Björk’s last mainstream album.

Ethereal and beautiful from start to finish.

Ytterligare en överrepresenterade artist på listan. Å särskilt bra är det ju inte heller.

Haunting, orchestral, fascinating

It's so rare to get an album where it feels like the artist is just completely baring their soul in it, but Bjork does that here. It's so personal, sometimes even feels like she's singing right into your ear. Beautiful album.

Preteško mi je ovo za slušati, došla sam do pola albuma i nisam mogla nastaviti, uz najbolju volju. 1/5, 1/10.

6.5/10 Bjork sam uvijek nekako izbjegao (osim onih par singlova na MTVu i par stvari koje su ljudi pustili u krivom trenutku), tako da nisam bas upoznat s njenim radom i kako se njena glazba razvijala. Oduvijek sam imao respect prema njoj, ali sam zakljucio da nije moj cup of tea. Isto tako, ovaj projekt je savrsen za ovakve situacije i artiste (doduše Radiohead mi se nije proslavio, ali barem znamo na cemu smo) jer mi je ovaj album zapravo okej ispao. Naravno, neki put me malo ugnjavi sa svojom dramom i pjevanjem, ali sa strane same muzike i elektronike, dosta dobro. Cak me par stvari i lijepo smirilo nakon ovog stresnog ponedjeljka. Heirloom, Unison i Frosti bi izdvojio, a ostale su mi vise-manje slicne. Vjerujem da bi na drugo ili trece slusanje ovo mozda jos i bolje sjelo, ali neka ostane na ovom za sad.

Not my thing. I didn’t really like her first album I listened to and I didn’t really like this one.

I had to search back through 1031 previous albums as I was sure I'd reviewed this before. Seems like I've had 5 Bjork albums before but not this one (if you count Sugercubes as well). They are good, touched by the same zany unique personality and sound and despite wondering if they are all a bit samey who am I to deny their genius.

Typisch Björk - gar nöd mies. 1 muemer ihre laa: Sie macht unbeirrt ihri Musig. Das Album isch usechoo, wo d No Angels ihri grosse Erfolg gfieret händ.. drum giz äs 4i

ihren name hani scho 1000 mol ghört aber glaub nonie es lied glost. gspannt. es wird kursiv gsunge holy shit. ich find die dämpft ende 90er afang 2000er production afoch nöd geil es erinneret mich a das indische album au us dere ziit. nah glaub dasch nöd miis. ich find d sounds wo passiered zum teil spannend aber es nüt würklich en groove alles plätscheret echli und sie singt nöd würklich melodie wo eim chönted bliibe. undo het en easy schöne chor geg de schluss. aber naja its not meant to be a struggle uphill??? bin mich chli am durekämpfe ich bin z wenig e nordischi fee oder en pretentious new yorker zum das geil finde.

hidden place findi (obvio weird) aber seehr cool omg isch das lofi beats to study/relaxe to??? find cocoon passt sehr als titel pagan poetry isch richtiiig haunting mitem "she loves him, she loves him" rtc. omg aurora fr fr gänsehosen aso ja wn to the l vill zude einzelne lieder chani nöd sege aber ich finds en riese vibe jo es isch z lang, ich hans aber iwie scho au sehr gnosse. chasch nöd guet einzelni lieder lose sondern würkli am stuck. git es 3 oder 4

I really struggled with this album. While I can appreciate the ambition and creativity behind it, the vocals just didn’t work for me. They felt grating, and that made it difficult to connect with the music as a whole. I can see why others might love it—Björk’s artistry is undeniable—but it’s simply not for me. Score: 2/5

Bjork is a little weirdo and I love when little weirdos make music.

This is such a lovely album - really Bjork at her best in my opinion. It's got that glacial ambience to it, and feels very minimalist, while still being interesting. She also sings beautifully on it, which isn't always the case. Despite that minimal, light-touch style, it also has a great warmth. Very nice indeed.

This album was gorgeous. I very much enjoyed it. I have found Bjork's voice a little too high pitched for me in the past, but didn't think that at all about the songs in this album.

95/100. Truly remarkable. This is my favorite project from Björk. The songwriting, vocals, and instrumentation—this is what music is all about.

Ugh bjork...

Vespertine - Björk 3/5 I don’t hate her like a lot of folks do, but this is my 3rd Blork album and they all kinda sound the same.

Most of these albums are not the kind you can just put on in the background and groove to while cleaning the house. This is certainly one of those. Intricate and intimate. A very introspective album, very poetic, very arty. Interesting progressive electro-folk. A lot to take in, I would like to just put this on with the lyrics in hand on a Sunday afternoon in Spring with nothing else to do in order to feel it completely.

Never listened to Bjork before... pretty weird, definitely an artsy voice, super electronic music. Very much not a fan or her voice, it's super spacey and kinda grating. Her voice reminds me of the chick from Bob's Burgers who sings the oil spill song. Come to think of it she was almost definitely based on Bjork. This is pretty hard to get through. This might be the first album of the whole thing that I have to turn off, man I cannot fucking stand her voice. Yeah I'm a bit ashamed I had to turn it off but holy shit I hated that.

Experimental and ethereal as always. I love it.

Too weird for me to actually like it. But it’s pleasant and not bad.

Bjorky

Not my favorite of her albums, but def keeps growing on me with each listen.

This like the other Bjork album started off decent but slowly becomes pretty meh. When I listen to her music I just think I’d rather be listening to Radiohead or Massive Attack. Obviously there is some merit here and the instrumentals with its Icy Electronics and Loops sound really good. However it all becomes a lot of the same and her voice is hit or miss. It can become tired to the ears after awhile. This is a light 2.5/5 (maybe a 3) it’s probably very artistic but it’s not something I would return to for its whole more so for a track or 2 on shuffle

Skillfully done, didn't dislike listening, but you don't need two Bjork albums on this list.

If my memory is working, I think this one sounds better than Debut. Although being a unique artist this doesn't really advertise very much range. Unless something surprises me in the future I don't think the list needs more than one Björk album.

Whhhaaaaaattt thhheee fuuuuckkk…nope!

I realized something after having high hopes for this album, especially since I gave 2/5 to Björk’s self-titled first studio album—I don’t actually like her music. I don’t get the hype. I usually enjoy experimental electronic music with a weird twist, but this just doesn’t do it for me. Maybe it’s my inability to connect with her songs or find any meaning or beauty in them, but everything just feels so flat to me.

Initial thought: I LOVE Bjork! the day after OK Computer - I'm in heaven! So, I love Bjork. I know she's not everyone's cup of tea, and I understand why. But there's such delicacy in her sound that never seems to get overshadowed in her powerful moments, or the times where she's most creative or experimental, which allows for such beauty in her sound that it can get overwhelming. This album leans hard into that delicacy and beauty, as it sounds like a girl in love - the gauzy, exhilarating first moments of love where every sense is heightened, every moment is forever, and all the pieces seem to fit. I love this album. 5 stars.

3.6 3x

Not my fave Bjork, but Bjork always good

Uno de los descubrimientos de esta lista tbh

Feels like she had lost a lot of her early energy by this album.

Boring

It's a nice mood

Bjork is annoying

so floay, I own the CD

Kuulostaa todella kauniilta. Björkissä mulla särähtääkin aina se, kuinka hän rikkoo kauneuden jollain huudolla (mikä on sinänsä toivottua ja kiinnostavaa), joten tykkään siitä, että tässä hän ei tee sitä. Hieno kokonaisuus, kiinnostavia sanoja ja atmösfääriä.

Hän eli Artiste säästää loppuun yhden biisin, joka ylittää äkkiväärän sentimentalismin. Ei riitä. Ehkä vain en pidä Taiteesta. Pohjoismaisen tönkkö aksentti ainakin osuu edelleen traumaattisen lähelle. 1,5

I think I'd quite like Bjork's music, if it had a different vocalist.

I enjoyed this. She's incredibly talented.

This is the second of her albums that I've heard here. I've heard plenty more elsewhere, but I just can't get into it.

Mildly interesting. Had never listened to a full Bjork album before. But nothing here to make me search out more.

I’ve listened to this album before and have most of the songs in my playlist. I still listened to it again though and it’s definitely a good album. Hidden Place is probably up there in my favorite songs ever.

I’ll give it to her; the production is fucking immaculate. It’s a goddamn masterclass and second to very few if any. The writing is unique and original. Feels fresh and alive. Lyrics waver between profound and pretentious, much like her vocal choices. Although, in my opinion, it’s more pretentious than anything else. Seriously what the fuck is she doing. It’s annoying and I can’t take it seriously. Honestly confused at how anyone can. I don’t listen to Björk, but I recognize her impact and talent. I know this is good, but I hope to never listen again. 4/5

I will repeat myself, but one of the most baffling mistakes in the 1001 Albums book is that *Post* and *Homogenic* are missing in it. Selecting *Debut* makes sense, *Medulla* and *Vulnicura* a little less so -- even if I'm always happy to see Björk's face pop out on this app -- but if *really* you want to represent the Icelandic diva's huge impact in the music world (and culture at large), you just got to include her second and third solo albums, period. What about *Vespertine*, then? Well, in some sense, it meticulously follows the footsteps initiated with *Homogenic*, and as such, it's the last step of Björk's upward curve from the late nineties to the early noughts -- just like when you are hiking on the breathtaking mountains of Iceland, to finally reach a scenic plateau where you can stand, look back, and admire the wonderful path you've taken so far. Sometimes, the journey matters more than the destination. But the destination is so beautiful here on a general level, that it makes this particular step as crucial as the ones that preceded it. Compared to *Homogenic*, the rhythms and sonic landscapes are somewhat less rough, more inviting or glossier to the touch, thanks to guests such as Danish electronic artist Thomas Knack, the off-kikter duo of American programmers Matmos, or harpist Zeena Parkins. You have crystalline music boxes, dreamy choirs and cozier moods. It's as if the lava that clashed with ice on "Homogenic" had now solidified, allowing you to tread on a firmer ground to explore more terrain. It's a listening experience that's a little less adventurous than what occured before during the hike, admittedly, and with some more complacent (or at times suddenly weirder) dynamics in the second half of the album. Yet I guess most of the other songs are also very digestible or accessible to general audiences, hence why this album ended up in Dimery's list, maybe. That being said, it's still 100% Björk, which means that the glacial surroundings and the elated vocals are still there to take you to unprecedented heights in the realm of electronic music. Opener "Hidden Place" turns an erotic tryst between the singer and her new lover into a whole fantasy quest of epic dimensions, thanks to that insane choir in the background, supported by one of the most enticing electronic rhythm patterns ever written. Subdued and subtle "Cocoon" explores post-orgasmic bliss in an incredibly poetic fashion (also strikingly graphic at times). Björk here proves that she's equally at ease singing in soft, hushed tones, belying her unwarranted reputation as a sole purveyor of theatrics and drama. "Undo" is part a meditative, introspective search for meaning, and part another epic adventure transporting you to realms of the soul yet unseen, "Pagan Poetry" is tense and poignant in its new exploration of physical and emotional attachment, and closer "Unison" is filled with a fragile yet also wide-eyed sense of hope for the future. "I never thought I would compromise,' the young woman sings, discovering that she doesn't need to master her surroundings and love interests to master and channel her own well of surging emotions. Yielding to the other, surrending yourself, and finding out who you really are in the process, this is what Björk asks of herself here, and if you manage to do the same, you will end up receiving more than what you gave in the first place so as to finally open your heart to this beautiful LP, even for the vast majority of the other tracks I haven't mentioned here. "Undo," the Icelandic genius constantly suggests us in *Vespertine*. Sometimes reaching bliss is just a question of how to let go. 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 5 9.5/10 for more general purposes (5 + 4.5) Number of albums left to review: around a hundred, as I've gone over the 1000 line and this generator is including albums from all editions of the book Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 436 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 258 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 319

Bjork es una figura fascinante en la música contemporánea. Por muchos motivos, sus obras abarcan estilos y corrientes variadas pero todas de enorme valor y calidad. Si bien sus tres pimeros discos son más accesibles este Vespertine sería uno de los más recomendables para iniciarse en su mundo (Sugarcubes al margen). Si bien sus tres pimeros discos configuran un trío espectacular, este (el 4º) es el más equilibrado y el que mejor ha resistido el paso del tiempo. La producción de Matmos lejos de resentirse ha ganado con los años. It´s not up to you es una de las mejores temas de Bjor, y los tiene muy buenos. Otros discos de 2001, el año del revival garagero con Is this it de los Strokes y White blood cells de los White Stripes como punta de lanza, así como otros discos estupendos: Things We Lost in the Fire de Low, Rock action de Mogway, el album verde de Weezer, Origin of symmetry de Muse, Morning view de Incubus, Gold de Ryan Adams, The Invisible Band de Travis, Rings Around The World de Super Furry Animals, Hot Shots II de The Beta Band, debuts de Gillian Welch o Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions, It's a Wonderful Life de Sparklehorse.... (otros discos notabes también fueron Love and theft, Hallelujah! de La Buena Vida, Pleased to Meet You de James, Free All Angels de Ash, Souljacker de Eels, Can Our Love... de Tindersticks o el segundo de Manu Chao) y con la electrónica a pleno rendimiento ya fuera por vía experimental (Amnesiac), estética (Discovery de Daft Punk, los debuts de Gorillaz, Röyksopp, Zero 7) o simplemente lúdica (Fever de Kilye, Survivor de las Destiny´s Child...) ese mismo año publican Madredeus el sugerente Movimento y Gotan Project La revancha del tango....

Beautiful, if you're in the mood. Irritating if you aren't.

I now realize that we get four (4!) Bjork albums in this collection (plus of course one Sugarcubes album), and I'm hard pressed to distinguish that many different Bjork-led albums, I'll admit. This album does sound a bit different from the previously-heard "Debut"--more of what I think of as her polished and refined sound--but it's still not *that* different, and I can only take so much of her strange girl-child-woman voice and the electronica style in one sitting. I *will* say, though, that she has consistently mesmerizing videos, and this album is no exception: "Hidden place" is uncomfortable to watch with all of the creepy alien-like liquids going through her eyes and mouth and nostrils, and left me feeling like I needed to blow my nose and wash my face (no idea what the song was about, but that's par for course with Bjork); and "Pagan poetry" is a little more explicit but still an interesting mix of animation and regular video. (YouTube Music didn't provide the video for "Cocoon", and I didn't bother to hunt it down.) The remainder is that weird mix of Bjork sound, occasionally pleasant, occasionally creepy or unsettling, always indecipherable. (Small exception for the more experimental "Frosti".) I think my preferred dosage of Bjork is a song or two on a shuffle mix, so this was just too much of the same lilting Lovecraftian music to properly appreciate.

no no no no I listened to the whole thing and I just don't care. I want my hour back.

Creative but annoying

Wonderful alternative pop. Ambient mixed with unique beats. Quite fine, but uneven. Some of these tracks are the best in her class, tho.

5/10 Dream Pop is not my cup of tea Favourite Song=Unison Least Favourite Song=Pagan Poetry

mir gefällt es: melodischer klangteppich, die stimme (und der akzent ;-) )

Björn: konnte noch keinen Song zu Ende hören. Zu schwierig.

Sorry but all I could hear during Frosti was Freddy Fazbear coming for me. I love the mystical style of this one and her voice is immaculate. Reminds me of the vocalist from the NieR soundtrack. Favorites were It's Not up to You, Pagan Poetry, and Unison.

I can’t believe Bjork invented UK drill. This album is like sitting next to a window on a rainy day. The production choices and vocal layering create a dreamy aesthetic that makes this still feel fresh. Fantastic.

Björk is a very fantano/ rym core artist and Vespertine is the most fantano/ rym core Björk album. I actually haven’t heard it till now, I know debut and that’s a really good album. This album is good, but I don’t get the hype for it the best track IMO was the first one then it’s just consistently a bit worse than that. I think it’s a 4/5

not my style

3,6

I am shocked. I love this. I have no words to describe but it makes me FEEL . Perhaps if Radiohead and Tori Amos and Kate Bush all went to an active volcano and peered in they’d see Bjork staring up at them…. I don’t know. I am flabbergasted. I almost skipped this one assuming that I wouldn’t like it…

3- Stars (7/15)

Fuck, not more Bjork... 3 of her albums on this generator is far too many. It's just more of the same moaning and horseshit that her other albums were. A few of these songs showed promise, then Bjork started singing and agitating dogs in the local area with her high pitched caterwauling. No. Just no... Favourite songs: Hidden Place, Pagan Poetry Least favourite songs: Cocoon, An Echo a Stain, Sun in My Mouth, Harm of Will 1/5. I pray that is the last Bjork album I have to suffer through

This is a good album so far. But at the same time it feels tired. And I’m not sure if it was because everyone at this time used sounds like these or because she did it first and everyone copied. “Aurora” is a wonderful track. Bjork really has a beautiful voice.

Björk has something that makes her albums unique: she really reinvents herself with each album and the same happens in "Vespertine", her fourth studio album. Even though this is not my favorite album in his discography, it is undeniable that "Vespertine" has a wonderful production that touches the deepest part of our soul. Furthermore, the Icelandic singer's vocal performance in each song is unique, which makes the album a truly immersive experience.

First exposure to Björk as an artist, looking forward to hearing more. I have previously listened to Sigur Ros and this reminded me of that a lot, really ethereal.

part skittering and drifting electronica, part ethereal Bjork - a lovely listen, packed with ideas and melodies

Dig it! Going back to Bjork makes me appreciate her more and more--really missed out on enjoying her when she first came around.

Strange but that's to be expected. Not unenjoyable but didn't love the vocals. Fav Track: Pagan Poetry

Sphärische Klänge mit einer mysteriösen aber angenehmen Stimme. Leider nimmt das Album den Hörer nicht mit in die Dimensionen. Dadurch wirkt es unausgeglichen und unnahbar. Ich hatte bei dieser Stimme besseres erhofft.

Oh good, another Bjork album. No. Still no....

Great Bjork

Another miserable album from berk

Another fantastic Björk album but also a sore reminder that Homogenic isn’t on this list for some nonsense reason. Anyhow… Vespertine is very subdued and abstract compared to the more bombastic art pop of Björk’s previous albums. The production is skittering and intricate - it’s incredibly detailed yet somehow gives the impression of being sparse and I don’t know how they pulled that off. Björk’s vocals are divine as always and, while there aren’t as many huge singles as previous records, there are still some standout tracks like Hidden Place, Pagan Poetry, and the closer Unison with its slinking synth line. This seems to be a lot of people’s favourite Björk record and I get it, it just doesn’t keep me quite as hooked as some of her others

Lovely, mellow, contemplative. It’s possible I’ve unfairly discounted this album for several years, as I don’t think it’s as dynamic or exciting as her first three efforts. I have to appreciate, though, that an artist can’t just always keep making the same thing again and again, no matter how much I like that thing, and even if newer material speaks to me a tad less on a personal level, it still may be incredibly rewarding. By revisiting this type of material, being willing to engage deeply, I not only see how she grows as an artist, but I see how I grow as a listener.

Gorgeous vocals, minimalist and experimental production. If you don't like this you're probably a nonce 9.2/10

Bjork: Beautiful, delicate, and intimate music made of odd electronic rhythms and bizarre melodies. A truly one-of-a-kind artist that carved out a unique sound and style, both on this album and on basically everything she’s done. Not every song stands out, or has a memorable hook. But the album stands as a full piece with a cohesive sound that will sweep the listener away, if they allow it to. The album as a whole stands out and is memorable. It’s got a mood, feeling, and atmosphere to it - it feels like cooking dinner with a lover in the wintertime.

I enjoy listening to it and I’m glad, it shows my tastes are expanding

Strange, much like some of her other work I’ve heard on this list. Appreciate her to an extent, but still just not for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again

Cocoon is very pretty and instrumentally reminds me quite a bit of similar era Radiohead (specifically Treefingers from Kid A). Far from my most careful listen, but I certainly enjoyed this. Other standouts from my listen were Pagan Poetry, Sun in My Mouth (love the bells and harp work), and Heirloom (love the layers of synth at work here). Solid-to-high 4.

Once again I do not care for her voice. Aurora and Frosti were pretty cool. Started out in the 1-2 range but started getting a bit ~~wavey~~. Really just don't like her voice. The last half really saved this one.

I think I definitely liked this freaky Bjork character more than her last album. It is certainly mega weird and most of the time left me strangely confused about what music is. But there were certain times where I was really getting down with the music. Other times where I was very ready for the album to be over. This is a very hard album to rate because I feel like it is either a 2 or a 4 and could be nothing else. But I think I definitely found myself liking it more than not so I will go 4. I am still very confused at this though

Immediate Portishead vibes. Man when trip hop is done well it SLAPS. Haven't really dug into Bjork's disco but really enjoyed the last one we had on here (divisive I know). Frosti is a fun song. Also the transitions on this are top notch. This is so fucking weird I love it. High 4.

I had actually never heard this full album. Very unique sound. Not bad.

Perfect album! Very interesting style and sound! I like it.

Added to my library

4.5

Classic

3.5. A bit restrained by Björk standards, which actually makes it an easier one to listen all the way through.

Best álbum ever

Eccentric, unpredictable, yet easy to listen to. Synth heavy, but also has extensive use of acoustic instruments. Sounds like something that I would put on my playlist if I was going to the Moon or Mars. She is IMMENSELY talented as a writer, arranger, and performer.