Composer Reacts to björk - Joga (REACTION & ANALYSIS)

Bryan reacts to and talks about his thoughts on Joga
ORIGINAL VIDEO // • Joga
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0:00 Intro
0:30 Reaction
5:36 Analysis - Interesting Melodic Phrasing
13:49 Analysis - The Crafting of a Vibe
18:33 Analysis - Digging into the Electronic Segment
22:55 Analysis - Blending the Two Styles
28:56 Analysis - Diving into the Lyrics
37:26 Outro

[@razrv3lc]

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.

[@jcfarnham4634]

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.

[@rhysd5435]

Love the lyrical interpretation, mate. I'll look deeper into it on my next listen. And same on changing music for me. I feel her discography helped me become a more calm thoughtful person who could better tap into his emotions in an honest way. Not the sole reason, but a very important piece.

[@CriticalReactions]

I like your reading of that line a LOT better than mine.

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

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.

[@sammalla5238]

On that last note, Medulla comes to mind immediately

[@samuelbjork]

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.

[@Gavrev]

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

[@nlsantiesteban]

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.

[@AquaticStarchild]

Yeah, the word in the business is that she's one of the best producers/sound-engineers out there. She's been experimenting with instruments, human-body sounds and nature sounds in music.

[@justsomejusstsome8994]

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.

[@Ca11mero]

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.

[@brian_of_farce]

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

[@Taraktos]

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

[@sarahhawke5729]

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

[@LeoIndie]

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.

[@thedailyremedy968]

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

[@matthewstevens4871]

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.

[@j-e-n-n-y-k]

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.

[@StringHead92]

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!

[@blackwaters26]

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.

[@Agostoic]

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.

[@CriticalReactions]

I hadn't thought of that, but now I'm wondering if that's what's happening.

[@justsomejusstsome8994]

I never thought about that but that'd make sense. Cool observation.

[@StringHead92]

This makes a ton of sense. I wonder if its even a thing related to some phonetic aspects of the language, because other icelandic bands/artists like Sigur Rós or múm also tend to have interesting and quite unusual phrasing styles. Maybe not as prominent as Björk, but still unique in their own ways. It would be fun having an icelandic version to compare it to. Although mostly unrelated, I loved having two different versions of Opeth's In Cauda Venenum for that very reason.

[@sincerelyT_]

Would love to see more Björk analysis’ from you

[@CriticalReactions]

You're in luck! We have another Björk reaction coming up this week.

[@sincerelyT_]

@@CriticalReactions nice can’t wait!

[@AsmodeanEmpire]

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)

[@jasonarthurs3885]

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

[@TheAllaccess2011]

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

[@matthewd6306]

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.

[@hogwild666]

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

[@hansmolders1066]

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

[@progperljungman8218]

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.

[@perhvarnes]

Dancer in the dark is a very emotional movie indeed 🙂

[@vivablank]

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

[@heyoletsgo9]

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

[@monikabeki6838]

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

[@catsara9114]

Love her!

[@user-hb4ux4fq1h]

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

[@JoBeeProject]

Just excellent

[@daviddeath6029]

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.

[@perhvarnes]

I love this album

[@ckokomo808]

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!

[@CriticalReactions]

You're right, just because a band uses violins or cellos doesn't mean they're writing classical music. Case in point, almost any Symphonic Metal band that just puts a string section chord progression under their guitar riffs. For the most part, I classify styles of music based on compositional technique, not sound. But I think that becomes less accurate with each passing day. Electronic/techno music just doesn't *feel* like electronic music with acoustic instruments. And Black Metal, on paper, is pretty much just Thrash or Extreme Metal. What sets these two styles apart from the rest isn't in the notes on the paper, but in the way they are produced. So while I generally think that we can still lean on the idea that "a sound does not equal a genre," the opposite can be true in an ever growing number of cases.

[@ckokomo808]

Nice point about the symphonic metal. I wouldn’t necessarily call it “symphonic” compositionally, but maybe sonically?? I wonder how much this has to do with how easy it is to produce music without prior knowledge of music in general or in a specific genre. And just for clarification, what do you mean by “sound”? I see both compositional technique and sound interplaying in order to create genre. For example, The Human Abstract uses compositional techniques inspired by classical (or neoclassical) but with metal sounding instruments and vocals. It’s not considered classical but moreso metalcore (we can argue about the specific subgenre later 😂). I’ve wondered this also with bands like First Fragment who are very classically inspired. What would their music sound like if played by an orchestra? Would it then be classical inspired by metal instead of metal inspired by classical? Thanks for the response Bryan!

[@CriticalReactions]

@@ckokomo808 That would be where I start calling them genre fusions., where one composition style invades another sound. Although I suppose that's where your definition begins to take hold too, that genre is both the music on the paper and how it sounds in performance. Although looking at it that way, we could say it's classical music transposed/arranged for a metal quintet. Like with a lot of things music related, I think it really depends on your perspective.

[@ggluckmanful]

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.

[@lewj8]

This song is off her 3rd LP "Homogenic"

[@ggluckmanful]

I’m sorry, you’re totally right. It’s a few years post-Post, but I think the relationship to the Bristol stuff still holds, even if it follows the initial efflorescence by a year o two.

[@lewj8]

@@ggluckmanful Haha yeah. I'm a Bjork super fan and I think a lot of what you said still holds, she is such a great artist.

[@CriticalReactions]

That's the kinda info I was looking for. So yeah, she was pushing into new territory for her fans -- bringing that trip-hop sound to a wider audience, maybe? I don't know how big groups like Portishead or Massive Attack were compared to Bjork.

[@ggluckmanful]

@@CriticalReactions Bjork was an order of magnitude bigger than those acts, as I recall. She’d get airplay on prime time MTV, where those others were the province of specialty shows like 120 Minutes. She also had her history with the Sugarcubes before her solo work to build off of.

[@user-te1bu4li8q]

Igorrr comming up this week? :D

[@CriticalReactions]

Naw, not this week. While I'm sure they have a song that merges JUST two genres, they're kinda all over the place (in the best kind of way).

[@user-te1bu4li8q]

@@CriticalReactions 👍

[@shawndaniels1691]

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.

[@ambassadortourettes753]

Is good 👌

[@drmegawhits6548]

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

[@CriticalReactions]

My interest was piqued as soon as I saw Death Grips + Bjork!

[@wietzejohanneskrikke1910]

It's simply an odd meter time signature

[@bodylan11]

@00:53 "burrrrrrrrrp"

[@CriticalReactions]

Yup, it happens. We're all human 😄 One of the joys of doing these things in one take.

[@bodylan11]

@@CriticalReactions thats another thing I love about this channel, its raw, gritty, real.

[@bodylan11]

Btw, youre helping me understand music in ways other channels dont, or in ways others channels dont take the time to allow to me understand, and u do it respectfully in a way that i can easily digest.... Super fan.

[@MrTonyInchpractice]

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.

[@rayname908]

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

[@lt_johnmcclane]

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