Björk- Undo (First Listen)

[@JimsArcade]

Vespertine, arguably Bjork's best album, is best enjoyed from start to finish. The songs are great on their own, but are taken to another level when experienced in one continuous listen

[@tamarat.9439]

So True!

[@Cespinozas]

My mama would clean airplane cabins coming from iceland in those days of verpestine . she found and mp3(pre Ipod days) with only Bjork songs . She gave it to me thinking I would switch the music out for mine . I never did the mp3 had 4 or 5 albums all bjorks music. The Name BJORK stuck in my mind forever after that . I didn't Understand English very well yet so I didnt make to much of the lyrics but the music blew me away . I was maybe 9 Year old with bjorks music already in my hands

[@DynastyLuminous46]

Undo is my favorite Björk song.

[@ChrisP-sc9sf]

Song always makes me cry.

[@robertjewell9727]

If I was visited by an angel, she would sound like Björk. She makes a vast connection between what is down to Earth and what is ethereal with an enveloping sense of "to comfort."

[@ignacio1265]

Finally! My favorite song from her 😭

[@JustJP]

😃

[@viviandarkbloom4339]

If you haven't already heard it, "Pagan Poetry" from this album is fantastic! Great review!

[@JustJP]

Ty Peaches!

[@erikisamazingg]

Body Memory from her most recent album Utopia is epic! 70 piece choir, strings, flutes, bird calls and even wolverines fighting! Must listen!

[@basil33]

I come back to this song often. Due to my anxiety I hate spontaneity and uncertainty and as a result I try to control things and become uptight. I listen to this beautiful song to be reminded of its overall message.

[@garycoates4987]

Bjork always has a quality like she's singing right into your ear and her vocal style is very conversational like the lyrics are flowing out of her spontaneously

[@Grizazzle]

Give a listen to "Birthday" from The Sugarcubes, Bjork's pre-solo artist band.

[@mosespray6652]

Hi Justin, Vespertine is a hell of an album and I recommand you to check it. Maybe you should react to its first track "Hidden Place", it's a perfect start (obviously) and it's also one of her very best songs imo.

[@nickj5451]

Yes, Yes, all of Vespertine is such a treasure. To me Vespertine and Medúlla are equally her best; it just depends on if you want more of her beauty or more of her strangeness, though either way you'll get lots of both. Hah wow I was just suggesting Hidden Place too, wasn't I?

[@TY_2020]

Undo is such a devine song. Pretty much like every song on Vespertine, but Undo is special in a way.

[@Mark.mp3]

Literally every song on Vespertine, but especially this one, feels like an intimate yet transcendental experience to me

[@papaquonis]

There's some good stuff on a some of her newer albums, but for me her best period is clearly Debut to Vespertine. Five brilliant albums in a row.

[@lemming9984]

Yep!

[@fabianvarela1315]

I respect that opinion but can i say that vulnicura is a deep personal album with great arrangements and beautiful lyrics , also biophilia its unique and far away advance for the epoque

[@borroni9090]

for me its those 5, plus medulla and vulnicura.

[@CalumNesbitt]

at the moment my favourite period of björk albums are vespertine, medulla and volta!

[@cristianovia]

I don't mean it in a negative way, but I think you didn't get the later albums yet. I had it the same way years ago, but now my 2 fav are definitely Medulla and Biophilia and I probably didn't get Vulnicura and Utopia yet 😅. Her musi grows slowly into you, like tectonic plates shaping the continents and growing nails.

[@garyrobinson8665]

Vespertine is a masterpiece. My favourite track on it is heirloom.

[@vulnicura3028]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SONG, its soooo beautiful and this whole album is literally perfect

[@vulnicura3028]

Theres also a lot of sexual themes in this album, its definitely her most intimate

[@dayglowjoe]

you describe björk so well and so passionately and vividly for someone who has hardly listened to any of her back catalogue. can't wait til you're caught up!

[@JustJP]

Thanks Joseph!

[@nilsmellenthin]

I'm so happy you're reacting to Björk again! Her music is so worth discovering, it really changed my life. The whole Vespertine album is HEAVEN. My favourite song of hers is Unison from Vespertine, I really recommend it. I would love for you to react to it!

[@JustJP]

Ty Nils!

[@ChrisP-sc9sf]

She is our centuries Mozart. Don’t know how to explain it any other way. She’s profound. And makes me glad to be alive.

[@TacomaPaul]

I heard "Undo" on my weird Google Play channel "Scandinavian Stargazing". And her best... "Unison". Entire live show with a full orchestra and her girls from Iceland is up. The words are amazing. "It's not meant to be a strife. It's not meant to be a struggle up here." But seriously... listen to "Unison". Perfect lyrics about personal thoughts and human interaction.

[@deesclemmett1638]

TacomaPaul it’s uphill not up here but I love how that one word changes the sentiment of the song

[@alxkmlr1]

You’re one of the very few reaction video channels that actually showcase Björk and I’m so happy that you do. She is a genius that most people don’t understand and give time to explore. Thank you for acknowledging her brilliance.

[@cristianovia]

Man! If you just made this up while listening, you are a genius!

[@Mark.mp3]

Of all of Björk’s albums... VOLTA?!? Man you are missing out

[@bashartrefi]

so on point when you said Bjork uses electronic sounds differently. She mentioned in an interview how in love she is with electronic sound and how she doesn't agree with people who say they are not music. The special things is how she uses them to be a part of her musical message and not as the main focus. she gives them extra soul 🧡

[@madhatter9474]

Klone - Immersion Katatonia - The Longest Year Anathema - Flying Estrum - All I Want All underrated! :)

[@lilinectar29]

YES!! One of Bjork's hidden jams!!

[@bjorkero2]

Man the amount of detail you put into you reviews is great, I apreciate that you engage so much with the song

[@JustJP]

Thanks! Appreciate you watching

[@losdesmayosdeNestor]

I felt your deep breaths in and post the crescendo. She's awesome.

[@nomi.hagen.]

I'm enjoying you listening more to Björk. I would love if you try "Family" from Vulnicura. One of my favorites from that album. It's a heartbreaking and most recent song.

[@Little-Dude]

This is definitely an underrated track from the album yet it's been my favorite for awhile. The sentiment behind it and the lush, soft arrangement of the production makes me really emotional - especially by the climax of the song. Always nice to see it get some recognition.

[@Esotericana]

Gets me every dang time 🩵🧿🩵

[@glenjohnson9128]

Love how she wrangles with the intangible and then shares the truth of what she's discovered.

[@paranoidandroid1997]

The Beauty in Vespertine is unparallel

[@kylelooper2156]

I like how you highlight Björk's humanity and how her music leaves you with this intense feeling of connection. How she manages to do this with so much sampling and click tracking is actually pretty amazing. Her songs are painstakingly crafted to elicit an emotional response.

[@icarolopes2779]

boy, vespertine is an amazing album, give it a try

[@dallismurphy3802]

She's got so much to offer, from pure pop sensibilities to utterly subjective art. From the deep to the fluffy with all in between. There are too many songs to recommend, but Triumph Of A Heart is a good lark (I don't know many that would put so much effort into something so fun).

[@jimhardiman3836]

Check out her album of jazz inflected Icelandic folk songs Gling-Glo. Pretty wild stuff.

[@sydhamelin1265]

This is the first time for me hearing this song and we had very similar reactions. Specifically, the masterful way she brings together sounds that might not otherwise be combined, and how she makes them perfectly blend, but remain distinct. The gorgeous vocals over her voice, the choir-ish part, adds this contrast of close and earthly, with distant and ethereal, which is the same magic she pulls off with the instruments. Such beauty in all of it. It's frustrating that this level of creativity is not more embraced in music.

[@JackCerro]

Love Bjork. As an aside, I'm chuffed you decided to make this a Dad-Rock friendly channel. Rock on!!

[@JustJP]

Haha ty😆

[@ijustneedmyself]

This is one of my favorite albums by her. It always raises the hairs on my arms. It's ethereal and beautiful. As always, I appreciate your analysis and tendency to really dig into every aspect of each song. And to answer your question, this album takes me to a peaceful, snowy place, but that's probably because of the album cover and the fact that there's a snow crunching sound effect in at least one of the songs lol

[@ricr7289]

Listening to your commentary brought tears to my eyes because it's really wonderful to hear someone who understands what she does. If you ever have a chance to see her live, go for it. It's an experience like no other.

[@JustJP]

Ty so much. I'd love to see her live sometime

[@nickj5451]

YES, GREAT choice! Well I'm in finals week right now, but I've got to take a break for this! "It's through her unique delivery, it's through her strange almost alien tones, that it actually comes across as more human than a lot of other artists and bands." ^ I like that right there! Björk is, to me, the master of having 1. musical composition, 2. musical expression, 3. production/atmosphere, 4. lyrics . . . each to the heights, and each artfully matching the others. I imagine everyone must get their own lovely landscape in their mind when they hear this! I see myself floating on my back, being gently pulled into a totally black sky. Little angelic lights start appearing, blue, green, yellow and white, weeping over me and gently kissing me with song, and I hear whispers in my ear. More lights come and they grow brighter, and the more they do the more I see how they imitate the whispers. I started listening to Björk with this album (and Post), and just when I was starting to catch on to her music, I found myself first noticing these lyrics closely (and I almost always filtered lyrics out from my attention) and feeling very comforted by them--which was kind of the beginning of me paying attention to lyrics. It wasn't long after that that I began to believe in God, which I'm not saying because the song had anything to do with it, but because it was so natural at the time for me to let these lyrics call to my mind the encouragement and comfort from above about which I must have already known something. I don't try interpreting Providence, but as I see it, the lyrics posed thoughts to me which readily seem to me a fine way to describe God's mercy. God takes all our struggles seriously, yet He looks on them and our faults with total serenity; He absolutely wants us to be better, but He finds it best to achieve that by gently extending us that same tranquility, not by shocking us or telling us to 'just try harder!' Don't let any of it make you feel the need to hide; surrender, and it will begin to undo. It's both personal (her up-front voice) and communal (the choir); together they assure me more than each one alone; the first, because of personal, intimate concern; the second, so I can see that I'm not being 'taken care of' just to get me to stop complaining, just to sweep me under the rug, but it is in the sight of all heaven who share in the divine mercy. Anyway, that's just how I find myself interpreting it. I don't think that's her intention, but I do think she was trying to depict the compassion, mercy, and generosity we all need; therefore, I cannot but see God as the one to whom that all refers. However, knowing her lyrics, I wouldn't be able to believe that this work doesn't come from a genuine spiritual impulse--And that she wanted to depict that symbolically; just listen to the harp and choir! And "I'm praying" aren't idle words. It's a heavenly song! Other songs of hers have these kinds of feelings for me. "Hidden Place" goes nicely with this I think. So thanks for asking! LOL

[@JustJP]

Wonderful post Nick, thanks for sharing and taking the time to watch!

[@nickj5451]

@@JustJP You're welcome, and thanks for reading, JP!

[@therealtwiggyleaf]

Incredible artist. Stunning album. Alluring song. Thanks!

[@christinaawhitelock]

Love your interpretation, this song makes me feel so much

[@JustJP]

Thank you Christina :)

[@rolabang]

Nice track. I haven’t listened to anything from her in well over a decade. Thanks.

[@richardw4336]

There was a period I listened to Bjork quite a lot. (I have Debut, Homogenic and Vespertine which this is from still and occasionally listen to them). Love this track and nice to see your reaction.

[@LuanHenriquee16]

OMG Undo is so magical, bjork's work with micro bits will never be repeated in the history of music, for sure vespertine is my favorite album of all time.

[@sky-zc3uz]

probably the best reaction channel i've come across, you're actually quite incredible at interpreting it. do keep it up

[@JustJP]

Really appreciate that Sky!

[@aliciasidar]

OMG! This was a PERFECT music review/reaction! Also, you have the best sound system that I have ever heard on a KZbin video. 😮

[@JustJP]

Wow, thank you Alicia! Appreciate that :D

[@tawfiq5741]

No one ever requests Unison off of vespertine even though it's one of her best

[@allenrpn]

Unison is my favorite all time , to me her best 🎵 song

[@Rowenband]

Thanks for your interpretation. I didn't know that song (I don't know much about her) but your comment makes me re-listen to the song a second time.

[@alxkmlr1]

Ps. Björk is not one dimensional like most artists. She has you vocally, lyrically and visually in each and every song. That is true artistry.

[@jonarundadadottir5313]

"Bjork is on a totally different level" You got that right! What I love about Bjork is that with each album she creates a totally different world of sound, exspecially from Homogenic and onwards. Debut and Post are a bit different from that perspective. Debut: young, playfull in da club vibe (venus as a boy is a MASTERPIECE!). Post: still in da club but more grown up, party vibe, triphop influence. Homogenic: The rough beats and the strings, Vespertine: domestic vibe, music boxes, miniscule sounds, choirs. Medulla: The voices!!! The other ones haven´t gotten to me as the first five, because I think her songwriting is not as good as it used to. There are expections though, at least each album after Medulla has one-three really strong songs, but the albums as a whole are not as strong as her previous ones in my opinion. But I love the sound-world she created on the Utopia and Vulnicura album. Espcially Utopia. Check out this remix of blissing me: kzbin.info?search_query=bj%C3%B6rk+blissing+me+%28remix%29+%28feat.+serpentwithfeet%29+

[@-davidolivares]

I’m in a weird weekend mood, some good things happened and some could be worse things happened. I feel a bit hurky jurky right now, or I did... I knew it was going to be an intense trip so I put off listening till after my nap and even then I was weary. I listened and when I returned to my body I was in a better mood and happy and grateful for everything. You had an excellent analysis and I want more Björk in my life. Like you, Volta is my experience with this musical ethereal entity. She scares me a little in a good way. More please... I will undo. Take care, Peace and Music

[@JustJP]

I'm glad this song was one of the good things in your weekend David, take care

[@mannycalavera6011]

I love Bjork since Sugar Cubes. Her creativity. Her coherence.Her artistry.

[@numerikproductions]

What a great album that was,

[@beautifulidiot4323]

This might be my favorite album of all time.

[@allenrpn]

Please review. Unison is amazingly haunting to another level , Great review 🙌🏼

[@numerikproductions]

Your comment in the song is electronics about herself or wharever people, she talks about her self and people around her. English as a Second language createds a different kind of poetry, or lyrics. I love her so much! The first album in vynil was THE SUGAR CUBES besause of BIRTHDAY song, iy seemed to fit with the teen I blossing of.

[@budmaynard5952]

What a nice surprise! Björk is such an amazing artist. I got to see her live in a special performance in San Francisco on Pier 39 that was just for 5000 people. The concert was a 'Thank you' for the duo Matmos, who are a pair of electronic music performers from SF, who did a lot of the music and beats for the albums Vespertine (2001) and Medúlla (2004). Probably the best concert I've ever seen and I've seen a lot. A number of my favorite songs of hers are on Homogenic so check that out when you get a chance. Maybe try Jóga to start but there are so many good songs it's hard to pick one. Thanks and be well. Peace from SF

[@JustJP]

Nice Bud! Ive heard Joga and it is amazing

[@newentu]

Excelente reacción 🤠🤠😃

[@dvus1977]

SO glad Ur well and Back. Now , Please Please do Her Album Reviews 🙏🙏🙃🙃. U can Truly recognize & appreciate her Artistic Maturity and Sonic Development , if y go Chronologically. Cheers Every1

[@JustJP]

Ty Danny!

[@mannycalavera6011]

Some recommendations: FM - Black noise Crack the Sky - Sea Epic Crack the Sky - Sleep Carmen - Viva mi Sevilla Carmen - Tales from Spain Gong - Master Builder Gong - The Isle of Everything Van der Graff Generator - Man-Erg Can - Future Days Magma - Mekanik Kommandoh ( Absolutly crazy music. Remind me of Carmina Burana)

[@budmaynard5952]

+1 OMG! Someone else who knows Crack the Sky! I grew up in Maryland and they actually got good promotion there and were pretty popular locally. I had everything from their awesome debut album to White Music on vinyl. Bet a lot of people would be surprised they were Rolling Stones' Best New Artist in 1975. Cheers.

[@HiroBrown]

Nice choice! This is my favourite Björk album :) please react to the track Aurora

[@carlosfonseca5299]

Hi Justing! I love Bjork and, as I've said before, I love your comments about her music!!! Thank you for share your feelings and thoughts with us

[@JustJP]

Happy to! Ty Carlos

[@nomi.hagen.]

Everyone should listen to the BEST live version of this song done in Barcelona during her Vespertine tour. You finally can find it on youtube. 🖤

[@paulayers1111]

It’s hard to pick a favorite album of Björk’s (thanks for correctly pronouncing her name). But Vespertine is definitely in my top 3 with Homogenic and Medulla most days. Sometimes Vulnicura sneaks into that top 3, and kicks out Vespertine though

[@neilloughran4437]

I enjoy the way you break this down... very odd production style with the overloaded digital sounds at the end... but wow.. the rhythmic approach and vocal delivery was something I was not expecting. Great track... very personal approach.

[@JustJP]

Glad you liked it!

[@jaranowska]

A central aim of Bjork's has been to humanize electronic music. As she once said (quoting from memory): if someone criticizes a song made with a computer for having no soul, it's because no one has put it there. In other words, the artist puts the soul in the instrument, and the computer is also an instrument. If electronic music has no soul, it's not the tool's fault.

[@JustJP]

100% true!

[@raushaxleman]

Undone and Pagan Poetry are my favorite Bjork tracks. She collaborated with Mike Patton on Medúlla, Oceania is another track worth listening to.

[@javier_govi]

I like your reactions. Very smart comments. Would you react to more songs from Vespertine? This is my favorite album. Thanks :)

[@lazybelphegore6748]

The Album Vespertine was released a few days before 9/11 happened.

[@Kevvinm]

I really like her first band The Sugarcubes and her first album debut. I’ve been ambivalent about her music since then. For some reason I lack patience with most of her music, which is out of the ordinary with me .

[@bobholtzmann]

One of Bjork's tamer, more laid back tracks - I like the slow build with new introductions of instruments. The strings and choir has a really nice buildup to the end. Nice song for a Sunday.

[@Leonhavenify]

Unison is good as well

[@ErikGoosen]

I like this a lot. Björk dares to leave the trodden path and create a world of her own. There are not many who can do that. Mark Hollis is another one. Or Holger Czukay. Please share your thoughts about Holger’s Persian Love, a ground breaking song.

[@JustJP]

Ty Erik. I've listened to Hollis' self titled, and I feel like lve listened to Czukay before...I know hes worked with Sylvian

[@mathiaz943]

This and Ctrl+Z are my favourite undos.

[@lessaulsbury2087]

Very nice and thoughtful review. My favorite album from Björk is Post (check out the song Isobel). Also the song New World from Dancer in the Dark is beautiful. If your up for a challenging but ultimately rewarding listen (IMO), take a look at the band Sigur Rós. They're also from Iceland and unfortunately don't get much attention in the US. From the album "Agætis byrjun" I like the songs "Starálfur" and "Svefn-G-Englar".

[@wolfphile1]

You should watch Vespertine Live and see how she just unravels through this song. The live performance is a different being - more primal and spiritual.

[@ado64711]

When you were talking about the lonely women I instantly the picture of Mari Boine Persen came into mind for some reason, maybe because of the camp fire and the words you don't understand - listen to her famous song Gula Gula and you will see what I mean. Well, regarding Björk - she's such a brilliant artist, not only singer. Have you seen her in "Dancer in the Dark" - a film by Lars von Trier?

[@JustJP]

Havent seen that one, but I've heard of it

[@SIRRUBADUBDUB]

Great expo-emjoyed your expo - even though I dont jive with the music 😀

[@JustJP]

Ty Steve!

[@jorgesblog8017]

Dude. Do you know how nuch time ive been waiting for a reaction after the Joga one.

[@JustJP]

Too long I'd suppose :D Glad you enjoyed this one though!

[@DurandCompton]

Just remember, shorts are never cool. Also Bee-York.

[@luisaxala9822]

Need more reactions of bjorkkk

[@JeromeDukes]

I had a tough time concentrating on this tune, gave it a second listen and still my mind would just wonder. Maybe just not in the mood. Enjoyed your take on the song more then the song itself.

[@keithbk]

Try some Phantogram, like "You don't get me High Anymore," "Black Out Days," or "When I'm Small" for something I think is really under-rated. The music videos are pretty interesting too.

[@carlosfonseca5299]

I would love to listen your opinions about Black lake, from the album Vulnicura.

[@IanHillan]

So weird. I was gonna suggest Björk, but not this one. I was thinking something off of Debut or Post. Thanks though. And I definitely second Birthday off the Sugarcubes' Life's Too Good album.

[@brushuk]

i just want to say well done on pronouncing her name correctly... most djs seem to struggle with this..!

[@alperdortkose9522]

if you listen something different and underrated , you should listen; soapkills - tango soapkills - aranis & koullou ndif invisible - durazno sangrando tatran - anar

[@emiliowong9444]

Hi Justin, great review. Bjork always gives something to talk about. It has been almost 13 years since the first time i listened to this song, and i just could not stop, through time i have come across some live versions that you should definitely check out, kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6HSqp9tZ5ZnfqM on this one she delivers an improvised vocal solo that simply shows her creativity and vocal capacity, kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXvdl41moc-SecU and this is a 2015 version where her voice has matured in a exquisite way and she reprogrammed the drums. The only thing better than Bjork is Bjork live, always reinventing herself. Thanks for your reviews. cheers.

[@JustJP]

Awesome, ty Emilio!

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

OK. Dissenting view. Growing up with focus on melody to convey stuff (emotion, tension, drama, relaxation) I find Bjork's voice hard work. It seems so alien, as if an apologetic creature from the planet Zarg was trying to communicate through the disembodied head of a 2yo girl (...am I getting the tongue flapping right? Should I be blowing thought this other orifice?). And work it is; I just don't get anything from Bjork except - so much hard work! For ???? payoff (why am I doing this?) Kate Bush as a counter example has melody, interesting novel approaches, a storyline I understand and the occasional flash of true genius. Yep KB's odd but somehow intriguing... alas not the case with Bjork. And I have tried listening to her from when her album Debut came out :(

[@Grizazzle]

I get it. My first exposure to Kate Bush was her performance of "Them Heavy People (Rolling the Ball)" on Saturday Night Live, eons ago. It was strange and disconcerting. I didn't like it BUT I never forgot it/her and that's what a great artist does, makes you remember them whether you like their art or not. I have since come to appreciate everything she does. She's, critically speaking, untouchable IMHO. My first exposure to Bjork was through the band The Sugarcubes. A much more mainstream, less artsy platform for her to do her thing. I really enjoyed her then and even more so now after seeing some of her live performances of her solo career. She's MUCH better seen than simply heard, but as far as I'm concerned she's just a bit shy of the status I assign to Kate Bush. And that's high praise for me.

[@giosworld9229]

Please listen to Bjork - Play Dead the song is amazing but also underrated.

[@Wyhylili]

Hey, if you like appreciate unappreciated things, then I have the band just for you: Hurt Literally, any song is a gem, though I recommend most representative: Rapture (5+ minute version).

[@JustJP]

Ty!

[@souda2276]

volta is at the bottom of her discography. dude u need to check out like her first 5 albums. those r a whole other level

[@Aditya-yg1ce]

It takes you to a different dimension of reality. Transcendental?

[@karinschutz364]

Please listen to Lizard by king crimson 😊

[@transmit13]

Black Flag "Annihilate This Week"

[@starwhiteoflove]

Better try anything from Vulnicura and Utopia. Emotional epics.