Debut plays with genre a lot, which can certainly give things a slightly rough and ready feeling, as the first six tracks sway between delicate, string-soaked beauty and pumping house, with Björk whispering in your ear about her ghetto blaster. It’s a common focus throughout the album, but other sources of experimentation often push it to the sidelines. “Human Behaviour” still stands as one of my favourite Björk tracks, and makes for a perfect opener that focuses on percussion and rhythm to produce a curious and satisfying electro-orchestral mix for its instrumental. Playfulness and purity of Björk’s calibre needs room to express itself, imperfections be damned.ījörk’s appropriately titled debut album fits itself alongside the likes of Led Zeppelin, Funeral and My Aim is True as an energetic, confident release to the world. That electricity fades as Debut progresses, settling into something to drift in and out of rather than immerse yourself in completely, but I’m not sure I’d change that. The opening spell of the record shakes and shimmers with the ice-cool MIDIness that would come to define much of the ‘90s. Opener “Human Behaviour” sets the tone, understated and deeply groovy, while “Venus As a Boy” is as good a love song as you’re ever likely to hear anywhere.
It’s unthinkable for them to sound any other way than they do. The arrangements sparkle out from her delivery. Björk achieves something similar on Debut.
When we reviewed Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited a while back I remember thinking how the instrumentation felt like a natural extension of his voice. Björk drifts from dance to house to electronic, bringing each of them under her spell. Björk’s announcement of herself to the world isn’t without its rough edges, but for me that’s part and parcel of what makes it such a joyous experience. It’s not the best Björk album, but Debut stands out as the most playful, entertaining and jubilant in her entire career.ĭebut is a vibrant and fearless splash of everything special about an artist - an ideal debut. There’s a certain charm to her first record, however, that would soon disappear.
Björk would go on to expand her sonic reach and release a handful of incredible records. Of course, Debut was only a sign of things to come. The mind can be found wandering during these latter cuts, but it’s more of a comforting stroll than a grinding hike. Once again, the arrangements truly shine, particularly on “One Day” and “Come to Me”, where delightfully subtle melodies are sprinkled across the evolving soundscapes. If the first half of Debut is comprised of the classics, the second half is where Björk delves into the more contemplative, experimental side of her abilities. Opening track “Human Behaviour” is another highlight, combining timpani drums with innocent, childlike lyrics. Björk’s stunning vocal melodies add to what is already a beautiful piece of music. “Venus As a Boy”, one of her finest ever songs, has an exquisite arrangement, comprised of interesting samples, a textured beat, and gorgeous strings. The inclusion of a playful saxophone part is truly representative of what makes Björk so unique. As a major cynic of house music, I find myself both excited and confused by my affection for “Big Time Sensuality”. Though Björk’s stunning vocals are undoubtedly the star of the show, it’s the arrangements that often set the songs apart from generic ’90s dance music. This was the first sign of innovation in her career, breaking the mould of what it means to be a new, exciting artist. Björk creates her own identity by combining seemingly contrasting genres and forming something entirely unique. Though the tracklist opts for the same scattergun approach that many other debut albums also assume, there’s a real sense of achievement and accomplishment. There’s a sense of playfulness that makes the album so charming, allowing it to stand out amongst a strikingly good discography. It remains a graciously pure, exceedingly joyful experience. It was on 1993’s Debut, however, where Björk’s wistful form of art pop first came to life, and the results were enchanting. During her long and diverse career, Björk has developed into the one of the most eclectic artists of contemporary music, keeping listeners on their toes with every release.
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