HYPERBALLOT: ILM Artist Poll #88 -- Björk Resultsness

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25. Aurora (Vespertine, 2001) -- 550 points; 17 votes

I haven't delved into the live concert video wormhole at all but that Pluto/Declare Independence closer is immense with the brass, ty (lol @ "we're going to end with a lullabye, so we can all go to sleep").

GODDESS SPARKLE

Aurora is so beautiful and I want to shout out Frosti while we're here since i doubt it will place

Agreed. Both were culled from my top 50.

I also really love Harm of Will, which probably won't place at this point

Will anything else from Vespertine place apart from the singles?

still some room for a couple more?

I'm hoping that there are still 6 tracks from Vespertine that will show up

aurora is a beautiful song that weirdly reminds me of the soundtrack from kirby 64. i voted for it.

i've still got two non-singles on my ballot and i feel pretty good about at least one of them popping up

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24. Triumph of the Heart (Medúlla, 2004) -- 565 points; 16 votes

didn't used to like this song, but it's really grown on me over time!

this one does nothing for me, melody is weirdly grating

Not sure whether to celebrate all my favourite Medulla tracks placing or complain that none are in the top 20. The former, I guess.

ufo otm

The outro to Triumph of the Heart is one of her top vocal performance. Such sincerity in this track, such a fun beat. That moment from 2:20 too. And what Rahzel does just really cracks me up.
I forgot to include Aurora in my (late) ballot, which was really criminal. Among the very best on the album. Those high notes.

I mean towards the end when the song progressively slows down and fades and she keeps going, it's very subtle. I love those Bachelorette-type moments when she muses a few last words right before the song ends.

still only "come to me" and "pluto" have received first-place votes, i feel a point-jump incoming

I goddamn love "Pluto" and wish there was more KUKL-derived thrash-y stuff in her catalogue-- "Pluto" works so well because it has a kind of 'uh sure' lyrical approach that reminds me of Bowie's "Breaking Glass"-- a casualness that belies the implicit violence-- "Declare Independence" in comparison is a leaden concept and sluggish execution and easily my least-favourite song by her. When I first heard "Shaking The Habitual" I was like "oh excellent it is 'Pluto' expanded into a full-length album"

A day behind in my listening, but woah, "Domestica" is nice!

"Pluto" didn't make my top 20 but if I'm going to be honest it's my second-favourite track off "Homogenic" after Joga-- (I ranked Unravel and Hunter higher on my ballot, but should've reconsidered)

Also when I was a naive teenager I actively sought out "Play Dead" which was absent from my version of Debut-- also a track called "Atlantic"-- and was disappointed by both, sounds like Bond film music

"Domestica"'s roving synth blorts don't do much for me, the melody doesn't rule-- I think about the level of clarity and focus that Bjork would have on "Biophilia" and remain mystified by people's adoration for "Vespertine"-era production

What the fuck. "Scary" just came on my Youtube playlist after "Domestica" and who knew that Bjork presaged Joanna Newsom, never heard this track but um jesus

haha i'd never heard scary either and it's basically a björkified version of "golden brown." it's awesome.

I only discovered it going through B-sides recently, would be right at place on Milk-Eyed Mender yeah

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23. 5 Years (Homogenic, 1997) -- 566.5 points; 15 votes

too low

ya

5 Years is one of my favorite beats of all time. The distorted one-drop thing, and the wavering between swung and straight. And the sine wave chords, the sound of this one was just hugely influential for me.

One thing that is great about 5 years is the gorgeous strings at the end.

I was afraid this was out now. My favourite vocal performance of hers, especially the second half.

Yeah, the crunch of this one's beats is above and beyond. Totally nailed it, Jordan, citing how they reside somewhere between swung and straight.

Pluto and Enjoy TOO LOW. This is the type of Bjork I miss the most post-Homogenic.

5 Years is quintessential peak Bjork. Aggressive, passionate yet intimate, in your face production, layered with lush strings, yet still atmospheric. And the PERFECT transition into Immature omg

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22. All Neon Like (Homogenic, 1997) -- 596.5 points; 16 votes

Oh look it's all the songs on Homogenic altogether that I have no time for or interest in because they are hectoring and joyless

Sorry I was just typing something but then remembered I can't read or write

All Neon Like is my current favorite off Homogenic, I discovered its hypnotic beauty and tranquil buzz very late, after knowing the album for years, I feel like it summarizes the album. It's just... beautiful. "Don't get angry with yourself".

Wooot Mouth’s Cradle made it!?

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21. Black Lake (Vulnicura, 2015) -- 640 points; 19 votes; 1 first-place vote

massive song

whoever the first place voter is: bold and cool choice imo

This countdown is more surprising than I thought it would be.

we still have five homogenic songs to go afaict but, otm

Black lake was my #5, it’s astonishinglg epic and beautiful. I mentioned it in the pre-poll thread, but there’s something special and ancient about the incantatory melody. Feels like an ancient lamentation akin to Kol Nidrei. The vulnicura strings version really brings that quality out imo

Black Lake is devastating and truly gorgeous.

Pluto rules, fuiud. That moment where the vocal/noise skip/loop part breaks into a cathartic shriek is my favorite Bjork moment

Pretty sure that was my #1 but can't check rn

I always want to put on headphones to listen to this song

feels like at least half of the top 20 will be tracks from Homogenic and Vespertine