Composer Reacts to björk - Joga (REACTION & ANALYSIS) 

This was really the start of Bjork's experimentation with classical music, and I dare say she's even pushed that element to the forefront with her recent albums. Even her electronic music has as much of a root in modern electronic classical composers than more popular electronic artists, and she has such a huge breadth of influences across genres that's it's often not clear where one ends and another begins. To me, Bjork's art is the true definition of a hybrid art, not just in terms of genres but in terms of all her influences and even art-forms: many of her music videos are works of art in themselves. This isn't my favorite Bjork track--even from this album I think there are better tracks--but I do think it's one of the best demonstrations of that hybridity where the different influences are clearly audibly combined with each other. The further you get into her discography the more these things start to fuse into a whole whose only genre can be described as "Bjork." I also think this is where she was right on that line of still making music that could be called "pop" as many of her later albums are so artsy with almost zero considerations for popular tastes and accessible music.

This is genuinely one of the best songs ever made. I love Björk but I’m not sure I’d consider her one of my favorite artists for sure but this song is easily top 5 favorites ever.

Joga or the album Homogenic is a tribute to Bjork’s home country Iceland, the songs are full of volcanic beats and beautiful strings which are inspired by the natural elements in Iceland - volcanic eruption, majestic landscapes, etc. Electronics vs strings are like technology vs nature, and Bjork wants to fuse the two together. I think it’s the most iconic Bjork album, it’s a masterpiece, while the following album Vespertine (my favourite album from any artist) leans on the more icy sides of Iceland, that is a wintery album which reminds the listener of aurora, snow, frost, etc. If Homogenic is about FIRE - volcanic beats and majestic strings, Vespertine is ICE - micro beats, quiet string orchestra, choir, harp, celesta and other wintery instruments. I already loved the song/album before visiting Iceland, but only when I was in Iceland did I finally understand why Joga was composed like that - the sparseness and the Icelandic landscapes are represented so well by some of the moments in Joga, the strings/last part of the song creates that kind of vastness which you could only find in Iceland. When I stood on top of a volcano in Iceland and saw 360° the natural landscapes around me I was so moved and Joga was playing in my head.

I've always felt like this song was about a relationship where a friend is pushing her out of her comfort zone. That being the "state of emergency" mentioned in the chorus. And she finds it beautiful because its allowing her to grow as a human being. Anyway, Björk has always been an important artist to me. Someone said on the discord that she was their gateway into experimental music and that is exactly my experience too. It's not hyperbole to say she changed the way I view music and Joga is a beautiful song from a well crafted album.

This whole album is a wonderful experience. I've all the time in the world for Bjork.

Don’t forget that she arranged and produced these songs and has often complained that the producers brought in to had textures and sounds are often given more credit that what she did.

One of the best songs ever. So experimental yet it feels so natural. This song is so weird but that weirdness really pushes its beauty to heights that wasn't heard before, in my opinion.

As someone who speaks Swedish, a language closely related to Icelandic, I think the "phrasing" that you thought sounded unexpected is because she sings in a similar way to how she would have spoken in Icelandic. That in combination with English and also singing makes it sound unexpected, at least that's my thought.

This is my favorite song of all time, so it's awesome seeing you take a deep dive into it.

Even though Bjork is not in my top favourite artists list, this is the most outrageously beautiful string arrangement I've ever heard in a song

Bjork is a musical institution. Always innovating a creating unique musical landscapes.

Bjork es la artista mas infravalorada de la música. Creo que ella fue una revolucionaria del rock. Solo que pocos la entendieron en su momento. Saludos desde la Patagonia Argentina.

I find it such an art that the music especially the violin sounds melancholic but that she knows how to sound uplifting and just convincing

It would be really interesting to hear your analysis of "Black Lake" - she singlehandedly did all the strings for that song and the whole album it was on.

I read that she wrote this song for her friend. The lyrics describe the vulnerability you are allowed to feel with good friends, the ones you truly love. Or at least for me, they do that. A good friend allows you to feel whatever you feel, lets you put your mask away and show your feelings, validates them, and is there with you even in the hardest times when the world does not make sense at all. When you have a person who is this close, it can be scary and very cathartic at the same time. The feeling of the music kind of supports this interpretation.

Check out 'Vespertine live' she wrote all the classical parts and built the musical box, as I was told!

This entire album is near perfect. Bachelorette and All is Full of Love are worthy of reactions too. All is Full of Love is one of those perfectly constructed songs where the lyrics and melody match up 100% perfectly with the chord changes and harmony. 1 point about the electronic parts, Bjork is a Massive fan of Aphex Twin and was heavily influenced by his music in the 90s and it shows on this album specifically.

Brian: since you were wondering about the state of techno at the time of this song's release, check out the Alec Empire (of Atari Teenage Riot fame) remixes that came with the Joga singles/ep.

Not sure where you saw 1991, but Joga is the second track on her 1997 album, Homogenic. In 1991 Bjork had not even released her solo debut yet (that happened in 1993)

This is such a beautiful song from such an iconic album. The mix of disparate elements is something Björk always does right. Homogenic is a great album to check, one of her best imo, but to be fair her discopgraphy is extremely solid, no bad album really. Here is a bit of a turning point imo, because even though there is a lot of experimentation on her first two albums, it doesn't get as weird or abrasive as the most out-there moments from this album. Great insight as always, Bryan!

Always seemed to me that she crafted the melodies, or some of it, in other language (icelandic maybe?) instead of the one she's singing it (English usually) if it makes any sense regarding her unusual phrasing emphasis, which at this point is kinda like a trademark. Anyway, just weirdly beautiful and even vulnerable sometimes for what it's considered pop canon tho.

I had to subscribe during the lyrical analysis because you just put your finger on the reason her music impacts me as an autistic person

Would love to see more Björk analysis’ from you

1991? This track is from her 3rd studio album “HOMOGENIC” released in 1997.….. Great analyzed…. I will love to see more videos of yours... Good job!! The song is about how damaged is our planet because of us…. Hurt that's why a state of emergency phrase meaning

We were blessed by two modern day Mozarts in the 90s; Bjork & Tori Amos.

there's a video clip from the homogenic recording sessions in málaga of bjork listening to the icelandic string octet play a bit of "joga" in the studio. afterward, she instructs them to sound more like the sound of music for the next take...i think of it every time i hear the song

For me björk is pure beauty! She is so brave, never standing still, nosy, asking, breaking boundaries, revolutionary… a huge rolemodel for me as woman for standing tall, going your way, not because of the purpose of being different, just because you are you and free and beautiful. No judgement

Yeah! Wonderful track! Think you would REALLY enjoy the very emotionally strong movie with her in the lead role: Dancer in the dark. She does singing in scenes and the whole soundtrack is by her.

Love her!

Thanks à lot for your reaction! You can also listen to "Bjork - 5 years " from the same album. The song is really good and mixes electronic and classic elements with her amazing voice :D

Just excellent

It's not from 1991. It's from 1997! Great analysis!

This is from her 2nd solo album, Post, and it’s largely contemporary with the trip-hop, drum and bass, and jungle electronic sub-genres that came out of Bristol. She was active in that scene, also in a relationship with a sometime member of Massive Attack as well. While it sounds reasonably poppy and palatable to our more modern ears, the rhythms from those genres were definitely avant garde to American audiences at the time. For me, this song always takes me back to a European summer trip in 1999, riding on a train up the Rhine river valley, just after finishing undergrad and being dislocated on so many levels but awed by the beauty of the world.

I love this album

You ought to hear the live version of her on later with jools holland. I think its better. She is so good live its scary.

Great reaction I love biork but my fav is gary numan can you please do some if his work I suggest down in the park because it contains a sort of piano or maybe are friends electric but please not cars as everyone else has done that and it's not really representative of his work.

Is good 👌

It's simply an odd meter time signature

Beautiful song! Her music ALWAYS seems otherworldly to me. Her phrasing is atypical, which for me, grabs my attention. Loved the electronic elements. They kept the rhythm using interesting sounds even introducing some minimal melody too! Loved the violins. Similar questions as white Ward- just because something uses violin, does it makes it classical? Tbh, I’m not sure exactly what makes something “classical” music unless it’s obviously classical- Liszt, Haydn, Vivaldi, Chopin, etc? Not sure if you have an answer, but I’ve this song made me wonder this. Overall beautiful song. Something very interesting in the music over there. From Sigor Ros to Aurora to Leprous and Pain of Salvation to generally Norwegian black metal, they tend to put lots of space in their music. I don’t know in general where that comes from, but it’s something that attracts me to music from This part of the world. I don’t listen to enough of Bjork and this might be the start!

now we have to show Bryan the Death Grips album "Niggas on the Moon"

Igorrr comming up this week? :D

Emerging. A state of emerging, or becoming, or growing. Which feels quite alarming. but bjork loooves being alarmed, so its heavenly for her. Her best m8 is called joga and she's Bjorks masseuse. its also a love song to Iceland, which she's says is still growing/not in its final form.

@00:53 "burrrrrrrrrp"

Pop music with classical instramentation is called Chamber Pop 📯🎺🎻

Nice video except I don’t think the entire song is in 4/4. I count the chorus in 13 quarter notes so 13/4. I’d be interested to hear if anyone agrees/disagrees but it has always had the telltale signs of an odd time signature to my ear