Bjork — Debut (1993) Overview
It’s 1993, a time where the majority of albums being released were heavily guitar-focused and grunge infused. A time where Keyboard/Vocalist of the alternative rock band The Sugarcubes, Bjork, had decided to leave for something more new and relevant to her. For this, a lot of people had attacked both her and producer Nellee Hooper for going outside the grunge alternative rock scene for a more electronic/experimental approach. Publications at the time such as The Rolling Stones Magazine are quoted saying that Bjork, “sabotages a ferociously iconoclastic talent with a phalanx of cheap electronic gimmickry”. So what we hear throughout Debut is Bjork’s rejection of this particular past scene she was once involved in, and instead gains influence from other prominent genres of the time like Jazz, Pop, and Hip Hop infused with the electronic beats of the club scene, creating her new debut look and style.
The album opens up with Human Behaviour (one of Bjork’s most popular songs to this day), expressing how experimental and in some ways kooky, she intends to push her musical expression. The song tells us through its lyrics (inspired by a David Attenborough documentary) the animal’s perspectives on humans, and through its music grabs the listeners attention with Bjork’s wide-range display of vocals and broad use of sounds like strings, finger snaps, snares, and guitar — giving it a unique pop sound.
Through Debut, Bjork isn’t afraid to exaggerate her quirky alternative sound by combining tracks throughout the album with house music. This sound expresses the highlights and exuberant life of the London Night Club Scene which Bjork was known to immerse herself within, most prominently on songs There’s More to Life than This, Big Time Sensuality, and Violently Happy.
As we reach the latter half, we start seeing a slow in energy with the introduction of more jazz sounds and a slower pace, songs are less prominent of their strong house/pop beats. As we conclude with The Anchor Song, Bjork removes almost all sounds except for her vocals, some dense chords, and a raspy sounding sax, firmly identifying her unique personality and sound within the conclusion of the album.
Personally, this album took me a couple of listens to need to firmly understand and enjoy. As a big Bjork fan, especially albums such as Post, Homegenic, Vespertine, and Vulnicura, it was confusing going into an album like Debut. Her sound felt not as surprising, diverse, and experimental as what I’ve known her to be on her later work. But from really delving into the year of 1993, what her exact position was at the time and understanding the genre’s, Debut just makes sense. It’s challenging the music industry, as well as what Bjork’s fans know her as within The Sugarcubes. It’s introductory, yet still risktaking and enjoyable.
Overall Debut is an incredible introduction to explain who exactly Bjork is, and what it is she wants to portray through her music. With its unique experimental sound that isn’t afraid to have fun and embody the feeling of going out clubbing and losing yourself in emotion. And that’s what exactly Debut as an album does. It transports us through the journey of going out and experiencing the party life of the midnight scene, to the resting point of what Bjork refers to as her fixed feelings within the industry. As she continues through the rest of her career, Bjork continues this mindset and never halts to transforming her musical style. As a result, Debut can feel somewhat different and dated in comparison to her other albums, but nonetheless a great listen. The Debut of Bjork as a solo female artist, who rests her footprint on the music industry as an individual who isn’t afraid to take risks and have fun.
