Reviews (page 5 of 13)
A delight.
Not a perfect album, but it's really, really good. Bjork's debut record (appropriately titled) after The Sugarcubes disbanded, went on to start her very successful solo career. The timpani on Human Behavior and the general composition of that song in particular is incredible.
Kate Bush is the first thing that has popped into my head. Album starts strong and then goes on an eclectic journey through London's 80s/90s club culture. Very cool album. The list has thrown up a gem I should have heard already. 4/5.
It's a great album. Wild that it still manages to sound slightly ahead of its time 33 years later. Freakin' space alien.
The quirkiness grew on me.
Many great artists start off making somewhat straightforward music and go on to experiment with more interesting and challenging material a few albums down the line. Björk started at the ‘more interesting and challenging’ sweet spot and proceeded to get increasingly more challenging thereafter. I mean, even bangers like Big Time Sensuality can’t disguise the fact that Debut is still quite an odd album, with its mix of techno, trip-hop, jazz and more - and that’s before factoring in Björk’s particular vocal and lyrical quirks. And yet, it’s still her most accessible album. Well, this or Post. Take the high points from both and you’ve got a 5-star album - and I’d happily award it such because I think she’s legitimately some kind of musical/artistic savant. But even her most accessible albums contain moments where I’m forced to admit ‘I’m not really feeling this’. 4.5
Insanely creative and beautiful throughout, the fun Bjork has on this album is contagious
Pretty good
Beautiful and strange and surprisingly danceable. Bjork has such a unique voice
This is more my kind of thing. Remember it well coming out at the time. What a voice, what a vibe. Awesome. Alternative. Not classic 'pop' that we were listening at the same time.
Almost there
I've heard the name of this artist before, but I would've never guessed that this is the kind of music they make. But I enjoyed it! Very chill listen.
Beautiful voice, very 90s, just gets a 4 I think. Play dead bring on it would have made that more secure...
Original and contagious. Bjork has no fear.
It’s really cool that an alien wrote an album. The best bits are when Bjork is at her most romantic and opening up about being completely befuddled by and obsessed with love. Despite there being more hits on the front end I think I warmed up to it the further along it got. I admire her deep level of creativity, artistry and honesty.
It isn’t what it was thirty years ago. But it was really good then.
Not my cup of tea but I do see the value in this recording. Art rock/dance/disco/pop are how I would describe this one. A least 4 songs I can honestly say caught my ear. Definitely worth a listen. Reminded of Laurie Anderson quite often.
It was a matter of time before I got an album from Icelandic singer-songwriter Björk. After starting in several rock outfits, most notably the Sugarcubes, she abandoned the guitar-driven format to pursue her own musical taste, influenced by the likes of Kate Bush, Brian Eno, electronic music, and acid house. Through her work with British electronic producer Nellee Hooper, Björk made her proper debut with Debut. While Björk carried her confidence in songwriting and vocal delivery from her prior musical output, Debut marked the start of a new venture for her, experimenting with programmed loops, audio samples, and more unconventional song structures that fit within the alternative dance scene. Right from the start, with the four-on-the-floor bounce of "Human Behaviour" as she explored the human condition from the eyes of an outsider, there is a sense of an informed identity within her, looking to break out. Between the bumping beats, esoteric sounds, and even Björk's cadence on the jazz standard "Like Someone in Love", there's a rich exploration of this new soundscape that she presided over, bringing along her agency and raw passion to help guide her. Sure, there's not much in the way of structure or cohesion throughout this record, what with quirks like the partial recording in a London club bathroom for "There's More to Life Than This" and the tonal whiplash from the organ accompaniment with the techno beat on "Big Time Sensuality" into the gentle bass pulse of "One Day". Not to mention, Björk herself wore her influences on her sleeve for this record, not quite finding her unique sonic identity just yet. Nevertheless, Debut was a playful collection of tunes as she found comfort and solace in a style that felt more true to her than what she accomplished up to this point. If anything, it was a solid starting point for checking out her solo career.
Up front, I've never been a fan of Björk. She's been one of those artists that I want to get into, but just can't. Tried multiple times to Stockholm myself into liking her, but just can't. However, I am finding myself "getting it" this time around. Between this album and Post (which has her best song, Army of Me - her only song which I previously have actively enjoyed and playlisted), this is her at her most accessible, with solid tracks such as the previously mentioned Army of Me from Post, but also Human Behavior and Venus as a Boy from this record. But there's also the stuff that's starting to hint towards her weird, experimental albums to come like There's More to Life Than This and Aeroplane. But the album does have a handful of great cuts here or there too. Big Time Sensuality with it's Prince-esque 80's vibe and One Day with it's chilly sci-fi vibe. One Day might actually be my favorite track on the record. I like the vibe of Come to Me. Overall, this is a solid 4 from me, surprisingly. I'd be surprised if her later albums get a higher or equal rating than this from me though. I'm already not too into the more experimental stuff on this record.
Могу понять сравнения с остальными её бэнгерами (не в пользу Дебюта), но всё равно это блестящий пример музыкальной идиосинкритичности в самом её лучшем виде.
Yea. It’s good. Great debut.
So much better than Vesperteen imo. A lot more coherent.
You can hear a bit the time it was made. Yet it's still great.
Bjork's debut is not my favorite Bjork album, but it holds up well.
Amazing listen. She’s such an amazing artist.
C'est vraiment bon.
Like so many artists, I didn't really find Björk until college, at wch point my first inclination was to think she was trying too hard to be weird. But it's clear she's not just hitting random notes to be provocative; she's in control of whatever it is she's doing, wch on this album sounds like some kind of techno jazz? I spent the most time with "Post," but this is still challenging and compelling in its own right.
Hearing Björk for the first time in 1993 was so confusing. MTV and Alternative Rock Radio positioned it alongside the best of bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. There were a wave of amazing women bursting onto the scene like PJ Harvey, Liz Phair, and The Breeders, but Björk was too weird to be lumped in. There were bands debuting that stretched what could ride Nirvana's wave -- Morphine, Flaming Lips, and the Cranberries -- but those bands were all guitar-forward (in Morphine's case, bass guitar.) But even though Björk was playing with electro music, she was far too alien to fit in any sort of pop category. She also didn't really fit *anywhere*, so under the generous umbrella that was 'Alternative' she went, buoyed by an undeniable lead single in "Human Behavior." She sounded like no one else out there, because of her eclectic sonic template as well as her mercurial, alien, Lolitaesque voice. There was a wild abandon in her music. It only really made sense when it was grounded by a visual artist like michel gondry, which itself is telling since most of her videos were bonkers. She was a force of nature calling like a Norwegian siren to anyone who wanted to explore the boundaries of music. But for whatever reason, it took decades to grow on me. When it clicked, it clicked hard, though I don't love the techno spine of this album. The moments that most draw me in are the ones that point to Post, Homogenic, and Vespertine: the afformentioned "Human Behavior," "Aeroplane," "Venus as a Boy," "The Anchor Song." Beyond those, Debut is littered with fun moments amongst its dance party. The strange step-into-another-room moments on "There's More to Life Than This." The out of left field bare-bones cover of "Like Someone in Love," even more delightful since you already thought the album had already taken up permanent residence in left field. The Smiths-on-ketamine lyrics of "Violently Happy." But her music gets richer, fuller, warmer, and more beautiful as she moves away from the rave hall and towards the headphone experience on the next three albums, one of the very best three-album runs in music history. It's a felony that neither Post nor (especially) Homogenic are on this list. Still, there's enough creativity and delight on Debut to earn a spot on any list of essential albums.
Highly experimental, it's one of those albums that you have to listen in its entirety, like each song does not make sense on its own. Soothing, good company. It does not kick in immediately though, you have to be patient.
I find Bjork a challenge. I desperately want to like her and do. But her albums are full of traps and surprises. One moment you are listening to a truly wonderful song completely unique and sonically superb then along comes a bonkers key and time change and you wonder if the poor girl has been possessed. But this the nature of Bjork’s music and it is down to you to either take it or leave it. As this is the third Bjork album coming my way the 1001 God’s must believe that Bjork holds her own alongside musical greats and that we should make the effort to explore her music which reveals great delights when given the chance. As it happens this album is perhaps Bjork’s more accessible albums. Not full of jolly toe tappers but perhaps a few more conventional songs than on her other albums. I am now a committed Bjork fan knowing that I will never truly understand her music but happy to spend time trying to do so. Problem is that contrary to the aims of this list I will almost certainly die without achieving that understanding. So another album to file alongside the daddy of them all - Tales From Topographic Oceans. 4/5 14/9/25
Maybe I'm being influenced by my Icelandic roots, but I actually enjoyed this album. I've always been curious about Björk but have been apprehensive to listen because I thought her music would be too weird for me. This album is definitely strange, but I liked the strangeness. The last half of the album didn't capture me as much, but I got a kick out of the first five songs. 8/10.
I love the backing instrumentation. The vocals feel kind of irrelevant to the music. Still a really cool album. This is the first time I've listened to a Bjork album
I loved this album. I took like 6-7 listens, mostly one ear
Quite enjoyed a lot of it, though the second half was a lot less enjoyable for me. It feels like I need to listen to this more to properly evaluate it
I've always thought id like this little Iceland girl but never gave it a go. And I was mostly right on. All I knew about her was that video where she takes apart a TV and sure it does feature who she is but nothing about the music really. My biggest gripe is that its a bit too dance beat heavy for me but everything else is great. Her voice is weird and great. Its the weird inflections that maybe come from her native language but i couldnt tell you. And its wildly creative. Very left field without being just noise. Songs mix it up a decent bit. I just enjoyed this and hope that she has more on this list but if not ill be checking up on her other stuff on my own. Great first record.
Great album. Saying otherwise would be blue cap emoji.
First time listening to a Bjork album front to back. More enjoyable than anticipated. Some of the songs were just annoying, just not enough to skip them. Violently Happy is a damn good tune. As much as I want to be a hater, I can’t be where it’s not due, unfortunately.
It's difficult to categorize Björk's unique artistry. The variety alone should be enough to hold almost anyone's attention: dancy off kilter pop, introspective electronic slow burners, even a moody jazz standard. No one has a voice like Björk, and the arrangements perfectly support her across the whole record. In addition to an abundance of unique textures she conjures, the music itself is often melodically and harmonically adventurous. There's very little not to like.
Liked this more than expected and will spin again
Wonderfully experimental. Most of it works. Not all of it, but most of it.
I find this album fun and enjoyable, a really solid adult debut (she released a self titled record as a child believe it or not, pre-Sugarcubes!) but it does get weighed down a bit with its "of the time" production. Her next three records aged really well and transcend the sound of the era to a certain extent but this one lacks a bit of punch for me.
I enjoyed every minute of this album! It's definitely one of the strongest debuts out there. Björk is truly one of a kind, and her first solo album proves it instantly. The genre blending on display here is something else, and her ability to blend soft and harsh sounds together into one cohesive song is so nice to listen to. Speaking of softness, there was so much more of it in this album than I expected; It was really quite beautiful. In just this one album, Björk both displays her musical prowess and then goes even further by using her expertise to create something brand new. If that isn't the sign of exceptional music, I don't know what is. This is a dance album, yes, but that's just one small sliver of its makeup. It is a free-flowing body of work that exists and operates only within its own boundaries. It may be my favorite Björk album I've listened to yet.
Very good
Best Song: Venus as a Boy I always passed over Bjork because, quite frankly, she is weird, like to a scary degree. But she also can sing with a one of a kind voice. You have to be in the mood for this but I can see me relistening to this more than a lot of other albums on here. I wish musically it was a little darker as a juxtaposition with her higher octaves. 4/5.
Otro disco extrañísimo, pero este en lugar de divertir nos hunde en abismos oscuros en los que en un momento nos acaricia y acoge, para al siguiente, salir con algo inesperado que destroza nuestros ánimos. Bjork siempre será un enigma. El disco tiene canciones que si bien no odié, no hicieron nada por mí, y tiene también otras que me parecieron unas absolutas joyas. Ahora sí que Bjork siendo Bjork. Consistente sí que es.
I wish I could have more time with this as I feel like its something that would grow over time Its great and I'll stick with a 4 now but im sure if I kept it in rotation it would be a game changer
This time around, Listening as an older person, I love.
Pas mal
With Debut, Bjork begins to open her exploration of voice and sound, crossing genre's and experimenting as she goes. This is an excellent first album and foreshadows her ongoing growth with later albums.
This was such a breath of fresh air back when. 32 years ago, scaringly enough. Besides Like Someone In Love (which is just a bit too much - she executed the same general idea much better with It's all so Quiet later on), this is a truly delightful album to me still before she went into a direction my ears didn't want to follow any more.
A great, eclectic album. Not every song is top notch, all the way through, but there are quite a number of outstanding tracks on this release, and even the off tracks have a brilliant sections. Crying, for instance, isn't one of my favorites but the electronic section about two thirds through elevates the track.
Bonkers but brilliant, very much a musician's musician, never knew what was coming next
Very interesting, but it just doesn't captivate me. There were several places where her voice, her accent, or some of the discordant sounds rubbed me the wrong way and prevented me from fully getting into the music. Still a very fun and intriguing album, especially considering it was released in 1993. I need to do a deep-dive on Bjork and listen to her other projects. I have a feeling that the more time I spend listening to her music the more I'll appreciate it. 4/5
As I said in my review of another Björk album (Vulnicura) just a week ago I actually own this album but don't listen to it nearly frequently enough. Really must rectify that. Just counted and this is the 16th album I own out of 395 listened to so far. That is 4% and better than I expected.
Lindo disco. Nunca me gustó tanto como los otros de los 90s, pero creo que ahora que lo escucho siendo más viejo me gusta más. En su momento, cuando le entré a Björk. Había canciones que me parecían medio una porquería: muy tecnosas. Y otras muy melosas. Por ejemplo, la única canción que no es de ella: Like Someone in Love. En su momento me parecía aburrida. Una canción romántica de 4 minutos donde Björk estaba acompañada solo por un arpa (creo que es un arpa). Claro, no sabía ahí que era un standard de jazz, no conocía otras versiones de esa canción. Ahora, claro, me parece mucho mejor. ¿Qué canciones me gustaban cuando era chico? No tantas: la primera, siempre me pareció FANTÁSTICA: Human Behaviour. Creo que Björk siempre la rompió con las primeras canciones. Por ahí en los últimos discos donde hace música más rara la rompió un poco menos, pero incluso allí. Y la última parte del disco me pareció siempre muy buena: se acerca un poco más a la Björk de Post y Hegemonic: es Björk siendo Björk: Violently Happy: otro temazo, Aeroplane es una canción buenísima con todos esos vientos extraños super imbricados; Come to Me es una canción perfecta con arreglos super sutiles y atípicos como la tabla india (¿quién verga puede hacer eso aparte de Björk?; The Anchor Song una canción atípica pero con una instrumentación rara que siempre me pareció simpática; el bonustrack Play Dead, oscurísimo y fantástico (sería mi canción favorita si estuviera en el tracklist original; como no está me inclino por el primer tema). El resto del disco no me gustaba tanto, ahora en general mi opinión cambió. Me sigue sin convencer One Day. Ya critiqué la electrónica de principios de los 90s en la review de Screamdelica. Con este tema pasa un poco lo mismo. Igual es mucho mejor que los temas de electrónica de ese día, pero las vocesitas sampleadas y algunos de los arreglitos me parecen medio pelotudos; There's More Life than this, por otro lado, era una canción que me parecía inescuchable la primera vez que escuché este disco y ahora me parece buenísima. Björk ahí encontró algo que el resto del mundo no. Al disco le pongo 4 estrellas, me parece que es la puntuación precisa. Es un disco bueno, pero lo mejor todavía está por venir. Igual me gustaría escuchar algo como esto otra vez, donde se prioricen las melodías más que un concepto.
Aye good
Crying has a GREAT riff. Venus As A Boy as a nice wistful element. There's More To Life Than This - LOVE the party sounds fading out aspect and the seamless blend into the next song. Quite an 80s Madonna sound, same for Big Time Sensuality Real Cranberries sound to One Day - very cool. Aeroplane - love this one. Love the intense words of Violently Happy. Really good overall, though disappointing final song but what's NEW WITH THIS LIST.
Album No. 0017 on my list. Not entirely sure what to make of Björk’s debut. On the one hand, this will probably never be one of my all time favorite albums. It just doesn’t appeal that much to me (even compared to other avant garde albums). On the other hand, I can really appreciate the album’s concept, its blend of electronica, avant garde, and punk. “Human Behavior”, “Venus as a Boy”, and “There’s More to Life than This” were my personal favorites, although there aren’t any bad songs on this. On the other hand, especially in the latter half of the album, this means that no songs stand out and everything feels pretty similar and generic (sorry Björk!) In summary, I’m not sure what to make of this album. Because I can appreciate its overall quality even though it does not appeal to me that much, this is a veeeerry narrow 4/5 (or more like 3.6) stars. Or well, maybe I’m just influenced by the fact that this is one of the artists/albums that I’m supposed to like. Whatever - 4/5 stars!
Strange album. Starts out accessible-ish and moves into strange art and I like most of it! Crying is referenced by Josh Homme in better living through chemistry which is sick. Venus as a boy is really good. The dropouts on there’s more to life are cool I think. My first eh was one day where it sorta got boring for a moment. Aeroplane is so strange but I like it a lot. Come to me is beautiful. God this is such a strong ending. Great vocal performances over early 2000s elementary school pe class songs. I can’t decide if I like the anchor song. I like all of what’s happening but I can’t decide if it’s really good or if it doesn’t work. Whatever. Light 4’n this, excited to hear more from her as we go.
Far better than I expected
I listened to this album while baking and painting, so I didn't really listen to hard on the lyrics or go very deep into finding the nuances of the songs or anything, but overall, for vibes, this was a great album to just listen to. Her debut album was interesting enough at all the right points throughout the listening that I didn't get bored at any point, and Björk's singing voice can easily get attention. Overall, a pretty enjoyable album, 8.9/10.
This is an insane debut album
Björk is one of the coolest woman in music. In her Debut she is definitely still searching to define her typical sound, but it's already an amazingly crafted record. Great songs, incredible vocals and such a vibe.
weird but I kinda like it
While it may not only represent a small portion of the musical landscape Björk is capable of covering, for me this is still her best, most energetic and chart-friendly collection. I mean, just look at the list of singles Debut spawned - particularly if you have an edition which includes Play Dead. While it is easy to focus on her eccentricities, the music here is an effortless blend of indie, trip-hop, house, jazz and folk which, rather than seeming like a load of contrasting styles colliding to prove some obtuse, arty point, make a whole lot of sense musically and commercially. Björk may have enjoyed more critical success with subsequent albums, but she probably never had her finger on the pop pulse so effectively as she did here.
I don't love Bjork but this was a strong debut.
This is wonderful.
Cosy and confident, but at the same time fragile. Her voice is a little too fragile for it to be a full five stars.
She is so incredibly talented. Tying together so many music genres in every outing. She never ceases to amaze me. And her voice just gives me chills and thrills of delight.
I guess it was the right time and the right place to get this album today... I was out walking in the rain at 5pm after an almost 2-wk dry spell. It hit just perfectly.
Very very cool. I actually think I liked the non-singles better than the singles. She shows off some impressive range already on her first album. I don't think it's perfect, but after Vespertine got five stars, and this with 4, I think it's safe to say I'm a Bjork fan. Must-listen #192
Lekkere plaat, inventief.
Uniikki, mielenkiintoinen, luontevaa kuunnella
Pretty good.
Mad, great.
Björk entra por la puerta grande con su primer disco en solitario llamado "Debut" donde, sin miedo, nos muestra quién es. Este disco nos hipnotiza entre los cantos de sirena, tan característicos de la artista, y la evolución de los ritmos. En algunos momentos tranquila y en otros incluso bailable, Björk nos da un mensaje claro: ha venido a cambiar las reglas del juego. Con total libertad mezcla estilos y crea sus propios con una elegancia exquisita. "Debut" pone punto final a esa Björk más roquera que podemos ver en Sugarcubes y le da alas a reinventarse para volar hacia un pop electrónico con toques de house y trip hop.
Like it, not what I expected. Electronic but indie and jazzy as well.
re-listen! just as good as I remember it. so fun, so different, so many different tone shifts. very poppy but also experimental, especially for this being her first album. favorite track: big time sensuality or come to me
Very unique approach to singing. Very enjoyable
Venus as a Boy is one of the greatest bits of music ever made. The rest of this album has some moments but also can sound derivative at times, like the house beats on Violently Happy or the 80s sounding instrumentation on Crying. Nonetheless VaaB and Bjorks unparalleled idiosyncrasy still carry this album to a 4 for me. Fave Tracks: Human Behaviour, Venus as a Boy, Big Time Sensuality, The Anchor Song 4/5
Weird, but not in a bad way
Liked it! Very early 90s.
Bjork - debut 1993 Жанр: авангардный поп, электроника. Мое мнение: когда сегодня я зашел и увидел этот альбом я был приятно удивлён, потому что этот альбом был давно в списке на будущее прослушивание. В итоге послушал я его, после первого прослушивания я поставил альбому 5, но после трёх переслушиваний я понял что это 4,5/5, не больше, потому что альбом прям интересен только впервые, дальше все предсказуемо. Альбом очень разный от трека к треку, а так могу сказать только экспериментальщина. Мне понравилась музыкальная часть 4,5/5. Продакшн: для своего времени вообще офигенно, но сейчас просто ок, за него поставлю 4/5 (чисто за there's more to life than this плюс балл, это шедевр продакшна) Смысл: хэ, знаю тему пару треков, НО так не вчитывался. Влияние: для своего времени (начало 90) это было революцией, вроде она пела полсу, но зато какую, ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНУЮ 4/5 Плюсы: крепкий ровный альбом, слабейший трек почти невозможно выбрать, крутой звук, разнообразие. Минусы: одноразовость, (субъективно) мне не нравится когда она хрипит. Лучший трек: there's more to life than this. Худший трек: все треки хороши, но Venus as a boy для меня слабее всего. Итог: альбом на один раз, он максимально крутой при первом прослушивании, а так хороший альбом. Итоговый балл 4/5
Is Björk one of the weirdest and most experimental artists to ever occupy the mainstream? Yes, and I love her all the more for it. Her "second" debut is a slightly peculiar inclusion in the 1001, however, especially in favour of POST or Homogenic, which I would argue are the superior albums, and have aged a lot better than this one. Nonetheless, this album did provide a very measurable impact on release, launching Björk into the public eye, and that is likely what has resulted in its inclusion here. Debut has an otherworldly and alien, although somewhat dated feel to it, with the opening track "Human Behaviour" nailing that detached vibe both sonically and lyrically. "Venus as a Boy" would be my other highlight for its ethereal, almost trip-hop like qualities. From there, it's definitely arguable that the first half of the album contains its more interesting numbers, with the latter half settling into some relatively conventional house music of the time. I wouldn't quite describe this album as "testing the waters", but a greater ambition and consistency would be realised on the following POST. Still, a very enjoyable time revisiting this.
As far as art pop goes, Bjork really is a generational talent, and that shines through on this incredibly well formed "Debut" (she *did* have quite a bit of recording experience prior to this, but Debut is still very impressive). What most people know Bjork for is being "weird" and I can tell what they are picking up on, but honestly, I don't think "weird" is how I would describe it. It is more that she has a way of building a really vivid world in her music, but honestly, a lot of the components are pretty familiar. Like here on Debut, if you've listened to some '90s electronic (house in particular), and trip hop, you can see a lot of the components here on songs like Human Behavior, Crying, Venus As A Boy, Violently Happy and more. Although the components are used differently, a lot of this album is like hearing these genres filter into a dream, it's more ethereal and impressionistic. And honestly, a lot of this is helped by Bjork's vocal presence. She Is easily one of the most distinct vocal presences in all of popular music. Some of the most interesting moments here are on songs like Aeroplane, The Anchor Song, and Like Someone In Love, where all of the ties to the physical world through electronic and trip hop are severed and it feels like you are just floating through the void with Bjork and some *extremely* minimal instrumentation. The Anchor Song does feature some percussion, but Like Someone In Love and The Anchor Song are just backed, respectively by a harp, and a couple of brass instruments, and the effect is extremely stark and bold. I will say that while Debut is really wonderful, I do think Bjork has gone on to make greater, and more daring albums. However, if you haven't heard any Bjork, this may be the absolute best way in.
Very solid album, might be better than homogenic to be honest. Favorite songs: Venus as a boy, there’s more to life than this (love the bathroom part), and violently happy. Some great party music.
The live version gets 5 stars so this has to settle for 4.
Have never liked her — but maybe I’m beginning to start. Weird thing, taste. Björk’s always been a bit much for me — too squeaky, too kooky, too… Icelandic goblin queen. But Debut caught me off guard. It’s gentle, glitchy, and not nearly as impenetrable as I remembered. Tracks like ‘Human Behaviour’ and ‘Venus as a Boy’ have a curious charm, like someone whispering riddles through a lava lamp. I’m not all in yet, but I’m peeking through the curtain — and it’s starting to make sense.
this shit is good but some of these songs sound too similar
A 3.5 I’ll round up to a 4. It was quirky and airy and weird and pleasant and dancy at times and just a very strange but generally enjoyable experience.
66/1001. Loved it when it came out, but now seems a bit aged. Hope more Björk to pop up.
nunca tinha ouvido nada dela por livre e espontânea vontade achei normal, nada demais nao, bem um pop eletrônico anos 90. um pouco menos bate estaca e mais ""organizado"". até que eh bonitinho e dançante, vai
## In-Depth Review: Björk’s *Debut* – The Birth of an Iconoclast **Release Context & Background** Released on July 5, 1993, *Debut* marked Björk’s departure from her alternative rock roots with The Sugarcubes, embracing London’s underground club culture. Produced with Nellee Hooper (Soul II Soul, Sinéad O’Connor), the album fused electronic beats, jazz, trip-hop, and house music into a visionary pop framework. Despite initial U.S. skepticism (e.g., *Rolling Stone* criticized its "cheap electronic gimmickry"), it defied sales expectations, moving 600,000 copies in three months and peaking at #3 in the UK . ### **Music & Production: A Sonic Revolution** **Genre Fusion & Innovation** *Debut* shattered 1993’s grunge-dominated landscape with its audacious blend: - **Electronic Foundations**: House beats drive "Big Time Sensuality" and "There’s More to Life Than This" (recorded live in London’s Milk Bar toilets), while trip-hop textures color "Crying" and "Come to Me" . - **Jazz and World Infusions**: "Venus as a Boy" features Talvin Singh’s Bollywood-inspired strings and sampled broken glass, creating ethereal sensuality. Oliver Lake’s saxophones weave through "Aeroplane" and "The Anchor Song," grounding Björk’s Icelandic folk roots in avant-garde jazz . - **Unconventional Samples**: Timpani from Antonio Carlos Jobim on "Human Behaviour" and harp-driven minimalism on "Like Someone in Love" showcase Björk’s disregard for pop conventions . **Vocal Artistry** Björk’s voice shifts from childlike whimsy ("Human Behaviour") to guttural euphoria ("Big Time Sensuality"). Her delivery—whether whispering intimacy or soaring vibrato—acts as the album’s central instrument, elevating electronic backdrops into emotional landscapes . ### **Lyrics & Themes: Alienation, Joy, and Identity** *Debut* explores humanity through a lens of playful outsiderism: - **Observational Wit**: "Human Behaviour" frames human logic as "irresistible" yet chaotic, adopting an animal’s perspective . - **Urban Isolation vs. Connection**: "Crying" masks loneliness with danceable beats, while "Venus as a Boy" celebrates erotic transcendence ("He believes in a beauty / He’s the one who shines"). - **Existential Freedom**: "Big Time Sensuality" rejects future anxieties for present ecstasy ("I don’t know my future after this weekend / And I don’t want to!") . - **Roots and Belonging**: "The Anchor Song" closes with oceanic metaphors for Björk’s Icelandic identity, juxtaposing club-ready energy with introspective folk . ### **Influence: Rewriting Pop’s DNA** *Debut* pioneered art-pop’s mainstream acceptance: - **Genre Democratization**: It validated electronic music as pop currency, prefiguring artists like FKA twigs and Arca. Critics credit it for dissolving rock’s 1990s hegemony . - **Cultural Blueprint**: Its fusion of club beats, jazz, and global sounds inspired trip-hop (Portishead, Massive Attack) and alt-pop eccentrics (Kate Bush comparisons abound) . - **Enduring Relevance**: Named among the "Best Albums of the 1990s," its experimentation remains a touchstone for genre-blurring artists . ### **Pros vs. Cons: A Balanced Critique** | **Pros** | **Cons** | |-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | **Innovative Production**: Hooper’s fusion of house, jazz, and world music created a timeless sonic palette. | **Inconsistent Depth**: Tracks like "Aeroplane" or "Violently Happy" feel underdeveloped compared to standouts . | | **Vocal Originality**: Björk’s expressive range transforms simple lyrics into profound statements. | **Dated Elements**: Some synth patches (e.g., "One Day") echo early-’90s digital limitations . | | **Thematic Cohesion**: Explores alienation, love, and self-discovery with whimsy and wisdom. | **Flow Issues**: Pacing wobbles between dance anthems and ballads ("Like Someone in Love" disrupts momentum) . | | **Cultural Impact**: Redefined pop’s boundaries, influencing decades of avant-garde artists. | **Overlooked Jazz Roots**: Later albums (*Vespertine*) refined the jazz elements hinted at here . | ### **Verdict: The Dawn of a Visionary** *Debut* is imperfect yet revolutionary. Its strengths—Björk’s fearless vocals, Hooper’s genre-alchemy, and lyrical explorations of otherness—far outweigh its minor flaws. Thirty years later, it remains a masterclass in transforming personal curiosity into universal art, proving pop could be both cerebral and visceral . As *The Guardian* noted, it "broke the mould of what it means to be a new, exciting artist"—a legacy echoing in every artist who dares to fuse heartbeats with harp strings . **Key Tracks**: "Venus as a Boy," "Human Behaviour," "Big Time Sensuality," "The Anchor Song".
Very nice, not as interesting as Vespertine, some of the lyrics were a bit bare.
Very unique pop and she has a great voice aswell. There was a clear focus on electronic beats (which were so well made and produced) and a bit of a divergence with like someone in love which showcases Bjorks more gentle instrumental side (I know she didn’t write it but I mean the amazing harp and the decision to add ambient noises in the background). Favourites: crying, like someone in love, big time sensuality, one day and come to me. Overall, 7.5/10.
I was excited for my first Bjôrk album and I think it lived up to it. It’s pretty cool and whimsical. Not something I would listen to all the time but I do appreciate it.
i woke up this morning and just got bjork'd. some might say that bjork rhymes with jerk. but im not good at icelandic. every single of her album cover looks creepy with homogenic being my childhood nightmare. "but its still a 4 for me cause Homogenic and Vespertine impressed me too much and this album didn't impress me much apart from Human Behaviour and Venus As a Boy, although i know debut albums are always weaker than later works." -- Modified from my review of Talking Heads '77 4/5
Been a minute since I last heard Debut. It's much more electronic than I remember. It's a great first outing for one of the greatest to ever do it. Venus as a Boy especially stands out. *heard before.
It shows a tremendous amount of promise with some highly enjoyable tracks,
After all of the albums she has released this is still the only album of hers I like. Sure, I enjoy a song here and there from the others, but this is the only album I enjoy as a whole. Her later releases are so experimental that it feels like they keep me at an emotional remove, not allowing me to emotionally connect. As an American, being around when this album came out it is difficult to convey to younger audiences just how mindbendingly groundbreaking this effort was. It was truly one of the first albums of the decade that felt like it could only have come out in 1990s. Don't get me wrong, many artists over the years had released avant garden and art rock albums over the years, but few were as accepted by the general American audience as this one. Which, to me, even this day is surprising given how quirky her lyrics and delivery are, as well as the wildly eclectic choice of instrumentation choices, song arrangements, and genres.
A great debut album. Bjork is growing on me, and I love her voice.
genius
fya
So interesting! Human Behaviour is a remarkable song and there are moments in many others that struck me a lot too. I can’t say I particularly love the overall effect but she is certainly very creative and unique and I will be listening to a lot more, as I have always intended to (being a fan of often compared artists like Kate Bush and Aurora). (3.5 stars)
Sure, the lyrics are a little simple like they were taken from a lovesick high school girls diary, but the tribal beats and orchestrations and Bjork’s one of a kind vocal shouting make this Debut a pitch perfect…err…debut!
What can you say about Björk that hasn't already been said? She's fantastic and that's it
Gets a little wishy-washy in the middle, but brilliant and stunning otherwise.
Odd, but very good. Makes me want to go furniture shopping
This album shows how creative Björk was even when she wasn't at her peak of creativity. It is not as experimental or serious as her later projects, but it is still very charming. I had a lot of fun listening to this one. Very enjoyable, uplifting and full of beautiful melodies.
Another album I should sit with for a long time and break down but probably won't
I have this one! I find this one quite accessible by Björk standards. Difficult to choose a favourite song because the quality of most songs is about the same. They're very good! I don't like Aeroplane and The Anchor Song very much though.
High 3, this is what H&M store music wants to be
Clearly some phenomenal work but inconsistent
Very good blend of genres. Production choices could’ve been better
Solid
I was 13 when this came out, was intrigued by the video-clips and sort of liked the songs but couldn't get it...at 44 I am old enough to understand and feel the "magic" of Björk...Truly unique artist!
Pretty good
멋진 음악이긴한데, 내 스타일은 아니다.
Love Björk, one of her best here, love the dance elements here and there. Big Time Sensuality so good
Great album I listened to the other day. Her voice is really distinctive in a great way and the songs are an expansive look into what pop music could be in an avant garde way.
This is such a cool album with a lot of influences. Very interesting sounds from 80s pop to jazz. Love it.
Bought this when it first came out. Great album a continuation of the sugar cubes
I have never done a deep dive in to Björk before, but have every expectation that she's interesting and relevant. This album was just that, still 30+ years later.
VENUS AS A BOY!! That's it.
Необычный альбом, интересная манера исполнения, но всеобщих восторгов я не разделяю, возможно надо лучше ознакомиться с творчеством
Excelente álbum. La voz de Bjork es icónica e inconfundible. La combinación de música electrónica, jazz y pop es muy sutil y divertida. En cuanto a gusto personal prefiero algunos de los álbumes consiguientes. Pero lo considero un gran álbum debut. El tema final con los arreglos para saxofón acompañando su voz es muy hermoso y relajante, me parece un buen cierre para un álbum bastante enérgico.
very emotional, touches on different aspects of human feelings
I've always mostly like Bjork, but thought she was a bit over rated. Hearing this album and not just the radio edit made me understand the appeal even more
Weird at times but good.
I love this album. Bjork makes me uncomfortable sometimes. Like when she sings about sensuality. Weird and beautiful. Art pop.
Really enjoyed this one- moreso than previous Bjork albums. I think it does a good job of showing Bjorks vocals and covers a lot of genres. Both Human Behavior and Play Dead are powerhouses and a great start/end to the album. Overall- great album
Really enjoyed it, songs were more varied than I expected. Some were really beautiful
Bjork arrives with a major statement record and establishes herself as a creative force to be reckoned with. An incredibly visual and emotional record, brought most to life by the visceral sense of being inside a dance club. It’s less cohesive than some of her subsequent albums, but is nevertheless an astonishing debut.
"Her high notes remind me a little of Sia. The music production also sounds like early 90s with house beats and drums which is fun. I love ""Like Someone in Love"" for the harp and slowly floating music over the live theme. There were different styles and a lot of range. Better than I expected. "
Okay cool, I think I'm finally getting on the Björk train. I was surprised at how dance-y a lot of this is. Her ear for experimentation mixes well with the structured beats. I could see her voice being an acquired taste maybe, but I like that I could recognize her singing anywhere. And she always sounds like she means it, you know? I'd like to go back to the other albums of hers I've gotten so far and see what I get out of them now. Her discography seems like it's most rewarding to listen to chronologically.
Glad to see this pop up and ashamed to say I haven’t listened to it before. Hopeful about it and been meaning to do a bit of a deep dive into Bjork. Great start - really nice groove, interesting elements and got the head bobbing already. Yeh, this is 🔥. Love the originality, instrumental elements and layers to it all, with a great groove throughout. Nice variation too. On repeat all day, looking forward to next albums. Easy 4*
What the hell is wrong with me? Why didn’t I listen to Björk from the beginning? This is great! Different, engaging, interesting. Plus her otherworldly voice and interesting (ESL?) take on lyrics. She pronounces ghetto blaster Jetto blaster. 😂
the little people playing this album in my phone popped tf off
I have developed an appreciation for Bjork because of this list
i like bjork. bjork is good.
Forgot how good early Bjork is, particularly love the beat on there’s more to life that this. Definitely some moments that aren’t as successful but overall a great time
So prior to now, I haven’t heard really anything from Björk. I’ve obviously heard of her, but never really heard a song from her. Now, after being on this earth for 29 years, I’m wondering why it took so long. Truth be told, I thought it would be some kind of soft avant-garde album that would weird me out and not really be my thing. I wasn’t expecting a good mix of 90’s dance with some other moods. And above it all is Björk’s vocals. I don’t know if her voice is polarizing, but honestly consider me a fan. It’s this nice, sort of angelic voice that feels like it’s always on the verge of going off key, but never does. I never considered how such a voice can coexist with some dance music, but it’s a great experience. Honestly, this makes me hopeful that there’s more Björk coming up on here. I would like to see how she’s evolved over time and see if she captured her full potential. But as of now, it’s easy to see how she made a name for herself off her debut. Favorite track: Come to Me Other hits: Crying, Venus As A Boy, There’s More To Life Than This, Big Time Sensuality, Violently Happy, Human Behaviour, One Day
Locura de albuuuummmm re único re divertido re variado. Tiene un estilo como ochentero pero mas moderno no sé como explicarlo, tipo en la producción y todo. Re playful y out there. Y ta la voz es espectacular y expresiva y todo. Tentado a ponerle 5 estrellas pero nop. 9/10. AMO human behaviour y crying, y el último tema tmb.
Wonderful record.
Я хотел поставить Бьорк пять, учитывая тот факт, что ее лучшие Post и Homogenic не здесь. И это хороший, даже отличный, альбом, но не настолько впечатляющий, каким я его помнил. Лучшая песня - Venus as a Boy.
Wildly creative and genre-bending. Pretty cool to see that the more eccentric parts of Björk's discography is present from the very beginning. Not all of it landed for me personally, but there is more than enough for everyone to find something they like in here. Top tracks: Human Behavior, Venus As A Boy, Come To Me
Bjork is quirky and unique really. Probably a little Marmite. This is an amazing album with the obvious stand out tracks all being singles. She has a really strong vocal and style. Really enjoyed this
Great album, she has an amazing voice, Really enjoyed Big time sensuality
Great stuff
Really good
a me and gideon classic. fun dance music mixed with weird icelandic princess singing. fuck yeah.
Complete trip down memory lane. Loved it
So interesting and unique.
I liked this way more than I expected to. I only knew the song “Human Behavior” Ang don’t care for it, and I was very pleasantly surprised by the beats and rhythm and fun of the sound of many of the songs.
Björk’s Debut opens with Human Behaviour, questioning the chaos of mankind with tribal beats and wide-eyed wonder. From Crying heartache to the sensual sigh of Venus as a Boy, she dances through moods like a glittery emotional gymnast. There’s a party in a toilet with There’s More to Life Than This, a dreamy detour in Like Someone in Love, and full-throttle joy in Big Time Sensuality. One Day offers calm, Aeroplane soars, Come to Me seduces, and Violently Happy spins out in euphoric madness before The Anchor Song gently tethers you back to Earth. In short: alien pop perfection, one drumbeat away from divine.
Really good album. It is so different to everything else that was being released at the time.
Bjork at her best, IMHO. I feel like she still has the pop sensibilities of the Sugarcubes here, while still infusing it her with her madness. Venus as a Boy is an absolutely great song, and it's the kind of album you could easily play back to back and spot and enjoy totally different things each time.
Pleasantly suprised I like the odd Bjork song but found her a little too weird and skreetchy at time but this albulm is great nice blend of dance, pop and compliments her sweet tones rather than skreetchy ones.
Loved it at the time but it feels just a little bit dated at the time. I've always liked the Sugarcubes a bit more than her solo stuff anyhow. Mostly, though, I really want to go out with the cover of this album.
This album meanders just a touch too much for me. Still very good, but I enjoyed Vespertine more.
Bueno
Bjork is Iceland's national treasure. Love her voice, her delivery, and quirky personality. Had a bit of a crush on her back in the 90s. I could listen to her sing the phone book. I kinda prefer the Sugarcubes to her solo work (minus the annoying male singer) in general, but this album is great. 4/5 Album 46/1001
she’s so awesome. not her best but this is rlly great
It's extremely frontloaded, but how can you not love an album that gives you "Human Behaviour" and "Venus as a Boy"? Björk is an artist I've always respected more than liked; it's really impressive how she keeps reinventing herself and manages to sound unique the entire time. I don't really get her just yet, but every time I listen to Debut it feels like I get closer to being a huge fan of hers. I really hope it happens!
A strange but accessible album. I like the next two albums a bit better but I can't give this less than four stars.
Really weird album, I can see where this influenced the singers like Sia, some of them with crazy vocal ranges and artistic styles. Solid four out of five, if I heard it come on I wouldn’t be upset.
Didn't enjoy it as much as her later, weirder albums that I've heard, but still some solid leftfield pop/house tunes. I'm afraid I do not stand with my compatriots on this one :pensive:
A great vibe. Uplifting at points and sporadic.
didn’t think i’d be into it but actually really liked some songs
A classic. Nothing else really sounds like it. I’m not attracted to repeatedly listen to other Björk albums. Just this one.
Brilliant. Great vocals in her unique style and the use of synthesised drums, bass, strings, bells and all kinds of sound samples is amazing. Violently Happy is perfectly placed on the albums journey. There's More To Life Than This, Big Time Sensuality and One Day are also stand outs. Loved it.
Interesting stuff. Not always great, but never dull
Better than I expected
I love this album, and I love Bjork, what a wonderful listen.
One of my all-time favorite artists. The first C.D. I ever got was Bjork's Post album when I was 11 and it shaped my tastes to come. My Mom was working with some younger people at a publishing company. She was buying me a C.D. player for Christmas and asked them what would be something interesting that her son who is into alternative music should listen to...and I got Post...and my mind was blown. I promptly saved up money from the little farm job I was doing and bought Debut. She would open my world to music beyond Grunge at the time. I would dive into Massive Attack, Tricky, Portishead, and anything Trip-Hop.
Delightfully weird
Glad that she's out there, keeping it weird for all us sinners. Interesting blend of jazzy and clubby. Like most Bjork, I respect the hell out of it, and it speaks well for humanity that there are people who dig on it.
Björk, Björk, Björk. Gotta love Björk. Felt some tinges of trip-hop in here. Overall a very interesting listen. Almost a 5 for me.
In some aspects, this might be the weirdest Björk album. Like, consider the albums my group has gotten from her before: y'got VULNICURA, which is filled with strings and electronic ambience and her wearing... Whatever **that is** on the cover. Then you got MEDÚLLA, where its gimmick is that everything is heavily modified a capella... I mean, when I picture Björk and what her music looks like, it's these oddly beautiful alien landscapes, but where there's enough resemblance to an Earth forest or, I'unno, fjord that it's all graspable. Y'know, it's recognizably human, but it's all still pretty out there. So what makes this album weird is how... Grounded it is. I listen to this album, and I can't picture anything that wouldn't exist on Earth. In fact, I mostly picture cities at night, bustling with life as people go to clubs to dance 'til the sun comes up — and Björk's among them. It's... Well, "normal" feels like the wrong word. What **is** "normal" anyway, y'know? It's more, like, "commercially accessible," way more than anything else I've heard from her — even with her still vocally Björking all over the place. I mean, just look at the cover: it's very much Björk, but given my perception of her work, it's odd to see her dressed so normally and not in, like, some Queen Amadala dress or stylized moss. And, look, as much as I do like and respect Björk's typical output (I think VULNICURA can be drop-dead gorgeous in parts), I don't wanna front. This might be the most I've liked a Björk album, and, yeah, it is largely because it might be the easiest to get into. Look, as much as I wanna have deep, refined music tastes, the kind where you can chat about avant garde music over a glass of wine, more often than not, I'm simple. I hear a melody that appeals to me, over a beat that largely interests me, and I'm good. It doesn't even have to be mind-blowing, and this material certainly isn't. I worry I'm being dismissive of her more avant garde material, but I don't think you could really blame someone for preferring the uncomplicated material, huh? I mean, heck, I'd take this over MEDÚLLA any day. So, yeah, me liking this album really isn't that complicated. It's just a good night out dancing. I can imagine for some people that's not enough, but, hey, I wouldn't say "no" to a good time.
I enjoyed this album. I have heard of Björk before, but I have never really listened to her music until now. I liked the funk, alternative, and electronic sound. Judging by the title, I believe this was her first album. What a strong start!
I’m aware of Björk from MTV, but only the video hits. The opening track, “Human Behavior” has my attention. I really like this track.
Fairly obvious that this is a debut, both from the title (haha) and the fact that Bjork doesn’t seem to quite have her identity as a solo artist yet. Still some real incredible songs, especially Venus As a Boy, but weaker and more by-the-numbers than a lot of her later works.
The debut recording from IM? Okay, I'll check it out. It was weird not having Bruce on vocals, but it was pretty decent.
Excepcional debut. Aún aguanta 33 años después.
Debut is a hard album to really review. Some aspects genuinely appeal to me. The eclectic production and Björk’s bold creativity stand out. Her singing is impressive on some tracks, showcasing her unique range and emotion, but on others, it feels a bit off or overdone. It’s an intriguing and experimental album, but not everything lands perfectly.
liked it, but not my vibe that much
Empezó encantándome para progresivamente ir aburriéndome; es un poco repetitivo. Mola bastante de todas formas.
Det var sgu sjovt at lytte til. Hun er lidt funky i en mainstream verden og det er hendes første album efter at gå solobolo. Hun blander jazz, techno, elektronisk osv i mange forskellige genrer og gør det på en lidt sjov måde.
a gift that keeps on giving. every listen reveals another gem.
Chock full of good songs.
No review, just sad I slept on Bjork so long!
My previous experiences with Björk haven’t been great. Her music can be very hit or miss, and honestly, she comes across as nuts as we know she is — which is front and center in her sound. That said, Debut is an album I’ve always been curious about. It’s where it all started for her, so I figured it was time to give it a proper listen. I was surprised by the variety of songs on the album. Venus as a Boy is a beautiful track — smooth and delicate — but then it shifts into There’s More to Life Than This, which is completely different yet somehow works perfectly in the album's flow. The range of styles here is impressive, but it still feels cohesive. Favourite song: There’s More to Life Than This — it’s fun, lively, and stands out in the best way. Least favourite: Like Someone in Love — it’s whimsical and dreamy, but not really my style. It sounds like it belongs in a Disney film. Album artwork: One of Björk’s most iconic covers — simple but instantly recognizable.
Есть три песни которые прям зашли. Необычная песня - Venus as a boy. Нужно будет переслушать. Если привыкнуть к типу пения Бьорк - 7/10 очень крутой саунд, не нравится электронные искусственные вставки. Human Behaviour просто шикарная.
Weirdly fun
This is the Bjork I like!
What an amazing first album. She’s great - not exactly to my taste but I’ll play this again.
Solid solo debut. Has Björks usual quirkiness/interesting production that i’ve come to love
Not Bjäd.
I like her. Weird, in a fun way
Interesting, powerful and so much going on. Hard to rate because I -really- don't enjoy listening to it. Then again it still gives me something, a creative jolt.
Mellow instruments with beautifully haunting vocals, which is exactly what I expected from Bjork. "Like Someone in Love" will be one that I go back to in the future. If "Violently Happy" wasn't an early 00s club hit I'd be entirely shocked. "Play Dead" gave me opening/closing credits of a Bond movie vibes in all the best ways.
This was my first time actually Björkin' it. I had listened to Birthday by The Sugarcubes and The Powers That B, but I never took the time to listen to any Björk albums or songs. I liked what I heard on this album, and enjoyed it even more on my second listen.
You shouldn't let poets lie to you. Bjork only tells the truth.
I hit the bjork debut i play bjork obby i look ate cute little guys online i drink teas and waters and whatever
Pretty awesome
ég var bara ansi ánægður með þetta. gott rafdraumpopp. auðvitað sándtrakk ungdómsins.
Not best Björk. But still great Björk
За все время, что я слушаю музыку, имя исландской певицы Бьорк мне встретилось впервые. Альбом оказался для меня большим открытием, так как тут и приятный стиль электронной музыки, местами мелодии на синтезаторе даже напоминали отдаленно Depeshe Mode. Тут и элементы джаза, на удивление, приятно гармонирующие с общей стилистикой альбома. Иногда ловил себя на мысли, что мелодия мне напоминает музыку, играющую на советских дискотеках 80-90х. Мне понравились простая, не перегруженная, в хорошем смысле музыкальная составляющая. Очень приятный и разнообразный вокал.
Solid album
Great voice. Interesting composition
A highly original piece of work that bridges her poppy yet quirky Sugarcubes work with her later esoteric and just plain weird stuff we get today. I contend this remains her most accessible and enjoyable piece of wor
8/10. Great album. Slows down a bit but still great!
I have listened to and sang along with this record all weekend. I can't get my thoughts in order, but I don't really think it is a difficult record to understand. I bought the Movie Lovers compilation in the late 90s and found Venus As A Boy incomprehensible then, but that was because I wasn't ready to accept the very simple lessons Bjork was offering. Perhaps it takes a whole record. Nothing here is as experimental, quirky, or laboured as some of the other reviews suggest. Many of these tracks could be basic, layered, white label dance tracks. Some could be easy listening. Some are plainly neither. But what elevates them all is Bjork's sincere and gracious welcome to - not experiment, not eccentricity - but exuberance, the enjoyable side of excess. She gives and gives - gives you a full performance, an extended melody, an out there production idea, a deep emotion - but always in the spirit of exploration. If you dare to go further, you may find more. "It takes courage to enjoy it." 4 This is terrific. I think it lacks unity as an album - partly through diversity of sound and ideas and partly through, in my opinion anyway, an odd ordering of the (brilliant) songs; very little of it seems to run on and Human Behaviour to open and Play Dead to close always strike me as baffling. I can’t say much else against it. Every track justifies your attention. Björk is a genius of melody and a great performer. I don’t think there is a better set of singles from anyone’s debut album and there is much gold besides - One Day, Aeroplane… just great. 4/5
I like the vibe of this album. It's highly unique, with some classic trip hop hits. This is who Yoko Ono wanted to be lol
I've been waiting three weeks for another 90s album... While not the best Björk album, I do feel that this is the best introduction to her music. It's more accessible than a lot of her other album's, I can definitely see how this would be her most successful album. Favorite track: Like Someone in Love 3.5/5
This is one of those albums I expected to hate and was pleasantly surprised by. Had only heard one of her songs on the radio previously and expected unlistenable new age garbage but music was a lot better than expected. Will certainly listen to this album more in the future.
Having first familiarised myself with Björk’s later work at the frontlines of experimentation and art pop, Debut is by comparison far safer and more relaxed. But by comparison to her contemporaries, this is still wholly different. Björk’s vocals are completely and utterly unique, and she lends them perfectly to these songs, most of all the spacey, twinkly Venus as a Boy, certainly a sign of what was to come with Post, Homogenic and Vespertine. I suppose if Debut was one’s first Björk album, there’d be a sense of ‘here we go again, more 90s house’, then a sense of ‘hang the fuck on’ - followed either with a deep love for her discography or an intense hatred for her all-too-Icelandic vocals. Thankfully, I’m in the first camp. Vespertine is one of my favourite albums ever, and Debut itself, whilst nowhere near the soaring heights of her later work, is still a standout.
No who w/o Bjork? Probably loads, tho such a unique and daring artist may not be the progenitor of many - that's fine, even enviable. Anyway, this is a helluva debut, otherworldly but corresponding to ours as well: 'But then we'd have to rush back / To the town's best baker / To get the first bread of the morning.' If that's the soul of provinciality speaking, I'd like to request a bundle of that old world bread. But she's clearly a figure of the future in other words: 'This small town hasn't got room / For my big feelings.' She sings of 'big sensuality' too - I guess big, not love, has got to do with it. It is a bit sappy at times, which wanes ('Like Someone in Love' averages out), but not to the degree that I forget: 'It takes courage to enjoy it.'
every song felt so new n different
I generally like Bjork; she’s weird enough without being completely incomprehensible and her voice and accent are unique in popular music. My favorite song of hers isn’t in this album, though there are plenty of good ones here. I like the way the producers mixed everything and played with volume levels in odd places (There is More To Life Than This) and Bjork decided to jump around genres. There are a few tracks here that don’t really work or come off as attempts at something that don’t make sense. “Like Someone In Love” just sounds like someone said “hey what if we did a lounge piece from the fifties with this”. It’s not great. The following track is like a Madonna b side and that absolutely works. I don’t really care for it but it’s more appropriate? Not sure how to describe it. Anyway this is good. I think Bjork is at her best when the beats are aggressive, in a minor key, or otherwise a bit more “dark” and there’s not as much on here as some of her other albums, but the “modern art” takes on 90s dance music are great.
I thought I’d hate this, but except for going weird at times this was pretty good. Great vocals.
highlights: human behaviour, venus as a boy, there’s more to life than this, big time sensuality
What a unique artist. Whilst her next 3 albums improve on this sequentially, it’s impressive as a debut and her vocals are as good as ever.
Av någon anledning har jag inte lyssnat på Björk sedan mitten av 90-talet. Galet bra men lite jobbigt
Great album, vibrant, exciting.
A really great, beautiful sometimes haunting album from one of modern musics most innovative and unique voices. Combining sounds of jazz, pop, 90s house and this albums spans multiple genres but manages to maintain cohesion. The production sounds crisp and futuristic at points whilst still feeling very 90s. The songs themselves are fantastic outside of Crying where the lead piano line stands out as my least favourite part of the album and the song has never clicked for me. Björk’s vocals glide over the instrumentals, with effortless but powerful delivery and the lyrics are often fun and playful and other times dark and reflective. I’d forgotten how danceable some of the tracks on this were and even if this was the only album released by Björk I think people would still hold it in such high regard. Easily a 4/5.
Björk's unique voice, the groovy dance soundtrack, and the fun experimental songs make this album a lovely, relaxing trip. I appreciated the broad spectrum of topics here: from love, eroticism, to almost childlike wonder.
Gear: Meze 109 PRO Artwork: 📸🙏🤐 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🤔💭💡 Rating: 🌟🌟🌟(🌟)/5
First Listen: July 5 2023 YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS god i fucking love bjork ive been waiting to get this album. def a weaker bjork album there's some classics on here fs. "spongebob? --tf wrong wit you" ï'm õn thät gööd kûsh äñd älcöhól "NIGGA⁉️🥷🥷"
Amazing use of instrumentals
lwk fw it
I have been meaning to listen to some of Björks music, especially after I went to Iceland. I knew it would be good, and it definitely was. She for sure has a unique and different style ( her bio called it avant-garde) that combined elements of jazz, pop, EDM, and poetry like lyrics that was fun and interesting to listen to.
Surprisingly good, like 80's pop but without the cheese. Really enjoyed listening while working.
At the beginning i was sure that this experiment went wrong and I will be suffering through the album. But I was quite suprised in the end. There were still moments of obnoxious wailing straight from the joke about this kind of music. But the rest was briliant enough to work despite it.
if a siren lured you out to sea to start a new life, i imagine this album would play in the underwater nightlife scenes. the production is so bouncy, and bjork's vocals bring a quality simultaneously bubbly, sensual, and haunting. it's no wonder so many rockists hear debut and make an exception for bjork, with her trip-hop-jazz-electropop and all, this record is so charisma-forward that whatever music one normally prefers barely matters once you're hooked.
I’m familiar with Björk, but have never really sat to listen to any of her full albums. I wasn’t aware how many club bangers were tucked in to this album. I’m a big fan of “There’s More To Life Than This”, “Violently Happy,” “Crying” and “Big Time Sensuality.” For me, I think it’s Björk’s vocal melodies that make certain songs feel uncomfortable. She’s such a powerful vocalist, so she can pull it off, but I’m definitely a bigger fan of the poppier, dance stuff.
Bjork is someone I would love to see live. Her mix of styles in this album is so fun. I got more into her after seeing her wholesome doc with David Attenborough (he's a big fan)
7/10
Some great stuff by the queen. Not as incredible to me as the sugarcubes, but really interesting music and she kept it solid throughout.
Oh how I despised Bjork when this album came out. It was annoying, dinner party muzak to my ears back then, plundering from dance music, adding nothing but "quirky" vocals that sounded forced. You couldn't get away from the big hits, and they really grated badly. Now, I must have somehow refined my tastes, as I actually really enjoyed this. There were moments of annoyance, but these were tempered with moments of appreciation for the ambient music and diversity. I still couldn't bring myself to go with 5 stars, but it's definitely good enough for 4, and I plan to listen to it again, this time a bit sooner than thirty years.
hard debut
rock n roll(y) but make it eclectic, sad, and happy.
Vernieuwend, geweldig gezongen, fris. Niet alle nummers boeien
Human Behaviour Venus As a Boy Big Time Sensuality Violently Happy
My favorite song off of this is actually the most listened to one, I love The Anchor Song. the whole album is just vibes and pretty and I enjoy that
Solid 4 for me. Not a play all day on loop kind of album for me, but when I'm feeling Bjorky this Bjorks hard.
Started out weird and not my thing but actually kinda fuck with most of it.
++: Human Behaviour, Crying, There's More to Life Than This, Like Someone in Love, Big Time Sensuality, One Day +: Venus as a Boy, Come to Me, The Anchor Song +-: Aeroplane, Violently Happy 8,7/10
she really does have a distinctive voice doesn’t she. crying is funky i like it. i do seem to like funky and weird choices.
The beginning was a bit slow, but when it reached "Like Someone In Love", it really started to show its best qualities, especially with the more ambient, slow stuff. Pretty cool!
The only one of her albums that truly "bumps"!
I really like Bjork, and this album has two of her bigger hits, but it’s a bit too “experimental” to make it amenable to repeat listenings all the way through
So stylish, so experimental, so....Bjork. From her soaring vocals to the brain-tickling instrumentation Bjork has crafted a statement. and the wild part is, it's not hard to see Björk's influence on vaporwave and current pop through tracks like the dreamy "One Day". I can see how this release may not be for everyone, but if you're willing, Björk will take you somewhere incredible.
Nice!
One of my favourite projects of her
So weird but so good
This album is devided into two kind of songs for me. I cant resist her unique sound - not only on the hits "Human Behaviour", "Venus As A Boy", "Big Time Sensuality" and "violently happy" but also on "Aeroplane" and "Come To Me". ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ But unfortunately I don´t like all the other tracks! 🤷♂️ Therefore weak four stars for her debut. 3,5
Way more fun and dance-y than I anticipated. Really enjoyed.
Overall: 7/10 There's really nobody on this planet like Björk. Her music is so interesting and her voice is unique. This isn't my favourite album of hers as I find the songwriting quality to be a little inconsistent but the great tracks hit hard and it's the perfect introduction to the crazy world of Björk. Fav Song: Human Behaviour Least Fav Song: Come to Me
Reviews cannot begin to explain this album. Strangest Bjork album, no. A normal album, also no.
Very interesting album. She's an amazing singer and there's some real variety in style between the songs. They each feel odd in their own way, which is great for a one-off listen but also probably means I won't be coming back to this.
A great album that displays incredible range. "Human Behaviour" defies easy categorization with its driving timpani beat. "Venus as a Boy" is luscious, beautiful, a masterpiece, full stop. A cover of a 40s pop track, why not? And a handful of more danceable tracks. Bjork's unique vocal style (which some might call histrionics) seems to be pretty polarizing, but I generally quite like it. It's an album that isn't afraid to experiment. "Aeroplane" and "The Anchor Song" feature discordant saxophone. It was a bit much for me. "There's More to Life Than This" is also interesting, which its shifting setting, but is a bit too Manic Pixie Dream Girl for me. Maybe it was a less-trodden trope in 1993. Fav tracks: Human Behaviour, Crying, Venus as a Boy, One Day, Come to Me
Nice
Unashamedly fun - very pleasantly surprised
who up bjorkin it right now?
So many great songs - it is no wonder she was headlining festivals
Good soundtrack to a dark, rainy day. Björk’s voice fits this when she’s not screaming. I think I’ve now gotten all of Björk, in reverse order, which makes it seem like she started weird and toned it down, as opposed to the other way around. As it stands, it’s a shame she gave info her worse impulses. Still, definitely not a boring artist, for better or worse.
Another surprise. Didn't expect such good production. Very upbeat
Björk's voice is one of the most magical instruments in pop music history. even in the course of a single song, her stylistic range is boundless. something about how her voice raucously floats over these house beats is undeniably infectious. but in between the bangers, there's a dreamy, sensual spirit of romantic ecstasy. it's present on cuts like "Venus as a Boy" and her rendition of "Like Someone in Love", both of which feature some incredible string arrangements, and it's even in some of the icier moments like "One Day", a track that sounds like it would fit right in on SAW 85-92. it's still unbelievable to me that Oliver Lake of World Saxophone Quartet fame has his hands on some of these tracks, especially "Aeroplane", which has a delightfully unconventional arrangement; it's probably the song that most strongly points towards the future of Björk's output. her later albums might be more adventurous musically and conceptually, but her first solo outing sets a tremendous blueprint for her later developments. this is truly a prototypical Björk experience; it's as close as you can get in her discography to a no-frills listen. strong 8/10.
goodvariedrecord
I really like Björk, and I think that this is a very innovative, fun, varried album with a lot going for it. It also feels very much of its time and perhaps a bit dated. This is not my favorite Björk album, and maybe this gets 5 stars from me 20 years ago, but it is still quite strong.
Very entertaining! Still a bit immature but that's her sound.
Incredible, Bjork should do house again at this level I forgot how much fun this was
Great first album from an artist with a huge catalog of great music.
Haven't listened to much of Bjork before, but really enjoyed it. Interesting sound and great voice.
LOVED Can’t believe I haven’t listened to her before
Björk's talent is out of this world. This is an album of the unexpected and the experimental, with a dance beat. I especially love the completely bonkers experience of There's More To Life Than This (live at the Milkbar toilets), but really the whole album is a unique experience and definitely worthy of being in the 1001.
Fav song: Like Someone In Love Trying and failing to resist falling in love with Björk after listening to this album. It’s cutesy and charming but has this super ice cool edge. I LOVE the 90s rave inspired instrumentals to some of these tunes and how they’re thrown in with tracks like ‘Like Someone In Love’. I LOVE how in ‘There’s More To Life Than This’ she dims the instrumental to make it sound like karaoke from outside the booth. I will not become a Björk stan(repeat for infinity)
this is a great mix of fun grooves and experimental, i really enjoyed this album and i think it’s one of her best, a good start to get into björk
ok
I listened to this album soooo many times in the early 90 right after it was published that I then completely stopped and have probably not heard it since 20 years or so ago. After all these years it's once again wonderful to listen to. Lot's of great songs and who knows ... maybe I'll start listening to it more often again.
4.5
BJÖRKK queen. This album is truly a journey worth experiencing!
Commits the cardinal sin of not being quite as good as the albums that came after that are somehow not on the list. There seriously wasn't any room for Homogenic, one of the most influential art pop albums of all time?
Very weird, but in a way I really appreciate.
Excellent debut album. My roomate was a hige Sugarcubes fan, so this got quite a bit of airplay in our house when it first came out.
Good to re-listen to this album
Most accessible record Björk has ever made. A good record that shows her career's trajectory without the navel gazing tendencies her other records have.
Enjoyed it.
This sounds like an alien came down to Earth and made an album in the style of Madonna. Said another way, this album is pretty fun, especially for Björk. There are mystical turns, bursts of electronica and dashes of jazz but at it’s core the album is dance pop. Björk’s music can be hit or miss for my taste but this one hit.
I love This record.
How have I never listened to this album before??? Enjoyed this one a lot, wonderfully weird and eclectic.
This fusion of house, ambient, trip-hop, jazz, bollywood and Björk's iconic vocals has been making me happy since 1993.
Very cool
I like it. Most of it anyway. And it's good music to have in the background while working. Really liked Come to me!
Bjork is such a geniusssss this is so good what a great Debut album etc. Such heavenly instrumentals. It truly is a work of art.
im so fucking ill i cant write a review i like this album
I was a bit of a ‘theatre kid’ in high school - I have such a fond memory of an interpretive dance we did to ‘Human Behaviour’ which I think was probably the first time I’d heard Björk! This is a great debut album! It’s a little all over the place - but it works!
Blew me (and everyone else) away, still does. Impressive and unique.
I picked this one up when it came out. I never really got into rave culture, but this album seems to transcend much of the electronica at the time with an emphasis not only on beats and dancing but also in adding emotive, free time vocals, and songcraft. To be fair, I haven't heard much of the albums of Roni Size, BT, and the like, but Debut seems to have songs with a beginning, middle, and end, whereas the other electronica I heard from that time seems to be a groove with some variations of it as almost a reference track for DJs to build off of. The songs here are complete, and bring in jazz, electronica, free style, exoctica, and some impressive thumping beats. "Human Behaviour", "Big Time Sensuality," and "Come To Me" were the first songs that jumped out to me, but each track offers worthwhile indulgences in differing directions. Björk's vocal performance is outstanding--somewhat whimsical, bold, fun, confident, squeaking, growling--and the quality in production is worthy of her. The two work perfectly together to create a unique vision of the world. Debut opens the doors to what electronica can be.