Björk – Homogenic (1997, Iceland)
Our next spotlight is on number 1000 on The List, submitted by dwenius.
Edit: I’m sad to relay the news that Norn Cutson, who had so graciously provided their wonderful album tribute pieces for us to use for a few spotlights including this one, has passed. I had last spoke with them the weekend before this post was pre-scheduled, and was worried when they didn’t respond after it went up, which they always had. Unbeknownst to me, Norn left us the same day this post was published, due to the health issues they had gotten diagnosed just before Hurricane Helene hit their home and upended their health care. Norn was such a beautiful, big-hearted, passionate, and unique soul, and I’m so very happy to have met them through this project. Rest in peace, my friend.
It’s been a while since we last were treated to a piece from our resident artist, @n69n (aka illustrator Norn Cutson). This is in fact the last piece we have from Norn (at least for The List as it currently stands), so I was sort of selfishly hanging onto it, to save for a metaphorical rainy day. Well, no time like the present. Also, I picked today because it’s the 15th anniversary of the utterly brilliant Lee Alexander McQueen leaving us. McQueen designed the satin kimono dress Björk is wearing on the album cover, specifically as per Björk’s request to make her look like a warrior who fights with love, and to reference a photo of model Devon Aoki in a McQueen dress (taken by Nick Knight, who was also the photographer for the album cover). Echoes of McQueen’s collaboration with Björk for Homogenic would then be seen in his collection that soon followed, the A/W 1997-98 “Eclect Dissect” couture collection for Givenchy (who he was the head designer for at the time). I know we’re here for the music, but Björk and McQueen are two of my favourite artists from any medium, and them working together is just one of those moments of absolute magic.
Anyway, the cover tribute seen below is number 28 in Norn’s fabulous “Record Collection” series, which imho further increases the magic of this moment (I, for one, have a print of this piece right by my record player). Make sure you check out their previous spotlights here, as well as Norn’s Redbubble shop to see some of their other work (which includes some other wonderful Björk pieces).
And I suppose I should say something about the music? Homogenic was Björk’s third studio album, and, nearly 30 years after its release, the tracklist essentially reads as a greatest hits list. A departure from the more danceable art pop of Post (1995), this album amps up what Björk and other Icelandic artists do so well, i.e., translating the breathtaking beauty of their country into sonic form. While the album is primarily electronica/trip hop, the real standout features are the gorgeous strings provided by the Icelandic String Octet and, of course, Björk’s inimitable vocals. It’s emotional, it’s dramatic, it’s a pure masterpiece.
If you haven’t heard this album before, you’re in for an absolute treat.
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Or, The 1001 Albums John Mastodon Says You Must Hear Before You Die (Or Like, Don’t, But Trust Them, The Albums Are All Actually Really Good)1001 Other Albums