Unravelling The Threads of Björk’s Cultural Impact

Björk is Björk—no further explanation required. She personifies the idealistic, optimistic, carefree yet passionately driven spirit that every artist and individual aspires to embody. She can do it all. From blurring music’s archaic and conventional boundaries with ease, to adorning the most avant-garde yet wonderfully eccentric outfits—that often see her embody the heartbeat of her homeland, Iceland—she is undoubtedly an icon for many. Why is Björk so loved? The answer is simple: She’s not afraid to do what she wants to do. She is a fearless spirit. Unafraid to march to the beat of her own melody, as she unwinds lyrics and projects tackling climate change and political problems, all whilst plunging listeners into her magical musical landscapes that show her true artistic genius.

Björk, now 58, has never let her music limit her. She comfortably unfurls the sails of her delicate voice into the currents of activism, waging a battle against environmental adversities in the hope of protecting Iceland’s natural beauty. Her latest track, ‘Oral’ is dedicated to raising awareness of the detrimental practises fish farming, with all proceeds going to a non-profit.

For an artist who has as many bows on her string as Björk does, she is leaving her mark on us with every path she treads. To celebrate her new track, we take a look at three ways in which Björk has already made a profound impact.

Genre? What’s a music genre?

At the core of Björk’s cultural impact is her genre-defying artistry. She joins the cadre of artists unwilling to conform to a singular stylistic box. She is a maverick of her own sound, crafting ethereal soundscapes that transcend traditional boundaries. From the raw vulnerability of Homogenic to the eclectic beats of Volta each project is a testament to her artistic evolution and refusal to be pigeonholed. She melds nuances of electronica with pop subtleties as well as classical elements, reshaping the trajectory of contemporary music, whilst opening doors for a new wave of experimental artists, with the likes of FKA Twigs, Grimes and Aphex Twins all vocally noting Bjork’s influence on their sound.

Fashion is all about self-expression

Even though decades deep into her career, Björk still hasn’t let that dilute the potency of her self-expression. Serving as a beacon of the avant-garde, she channels the spirit notably through her enchantingly unpredictable yet whimsical fashion choices. Over the years, she has taught us to expect the unexpected. Her flamboyant and capricious style, characterised by sheer eccentricity and classing vibrant colours, stand as a wellspring of inspiration for designs and artists alike. Whether it’s the unforgettable swan dress at the 2001 Academy Awards or the ethereal embroidered pearl-crusted Yonic mask she wore in Utopia’s artwork, Björk does the quirky like no other. Collaborating with fashion titans such as Iris Van Herpen, Balenciaga and Gucci, it’s clear every designer aspires to capture a fragment of Björk’s essence, and rightfully so.

Artists can be activists too!

While her relentless boundary pushing as an artist has undoubtedly given her the platform she has, Björk has consistently chosen it to champion an environmentalist perspective. From actively opposing the proposed construction of a dam in Iceland’s highlands to joining forces with Greta Thunberg in 2019 for a comprehensive discussion on the climate movement on the World Review podcast, Björk continues to be a beacon of environmental hope. She has even partnered with Iceland’s prime minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, to declare a climate emergency in the country, only for Jakobsdóttir to back out when the moment came.