Björk: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Björk built her omnivorous sound at the crossroads of Reykjavík punk, European electronic experimentalism, and downtown New York vocal art. This mix traces the lines running into and out of her work: the composers she pilgrimaged to, the Icelandic scene that raised her, and the generation of producers and singers who now treat her catalogue as a foundational text.

The Kynda mix for Björk

• Key Influence · Gesang der Jünglinge by Karlheinz Stockhausen (1956). Björk discovered Stockhausen as a teenager at Reykjavík's Barnamúsíkskólinn music school and has repeatedly named him a formative influence, later travelling to meet and interview the composer for Dazed & Confused in 1996. 'Gesang der Jünglinge' fuses a boy's recorded voice with electronically generated sound — the exact marriage of human singing and electronic texture that became Björk's signature from Post through Homogenic and Vespertine.
• Influencia Obscura · Dolmen Music by Meredith Monk (1981). Björk has championed downtown New York composer Meredith Monk for decades, selecting her work for compilations and radio programmes and recording Monk's 'Gotham Lullaby' live. Monk's extended vocal techniques — glottal breaks, wordless keening, voice treated as pure instrument — prefigure Björk's approach on Medúlla, her nearly all-vocal 2004 album. Dolmen Music, released on ECM, is the key document of Monk's ensemble vocal writing.
• Local Roots · Loftmynd by Megas (1987). Megas is the godfather of Icelandic rock songwriting, a Dylan-esque provocateur whose subversive Icelandic-language lyrics shaped the Reykjavík underground that produced Tappi Tíkarrass, KUKL and the Sugarcubes. Björk sang on his 1988 album Höfuðlausnir and members of her circle backed him throughout the era; Loftmynd, his celebrated portrait of Reykjavík, captures the local literary sensibility Björk absorbed before going international.
• Beyond the Medium · Stalker by Andrei Tarkovsky (1979). Björk has cited Andrei Tarkovsky among her favourite filmmakers, and his influence surfaces directly in her visual world: the video for 'Jóga' and the volcanic-industrial imagery around Homogenic share Stalker's vision of landscape as emotional and spiritual terrain. Tarkovsky's patient sound design — dripping water, industrial hum treated as music — parallels Björk's own habit of building songs from environmental and found sound.
• Peer · Maxinquaye by Tricky (1995). Björk and Tricky orbited the same mid-90s Bristol-London axis: he co-produced and co-wrote tracks on her 1995 album Post, including 'Enjoy' and 'Headphones', and she contributed to his Nearly God project in 1996. Maxinquaye, released months before Post, defined the trip-hop vocabulary — cavernous low end, smeared samples, whispered vocals — that Björk was simultaneously bending toward her own ends, making the two albums genuine siblings.
• From the Canon · Homogenic by Björk (1997). Homogenic is Björk's statement of intent: a deliberate fusion of 'volcanic beats' programmed with Mark Bell and Icelandic string octet arrangements, conceived as a sonic portrait of her homeland after the eclecticism of Debut and Post. Written partly in Spain following a difficult year that included a stalker's mail-bomb attempt, it produced 'Jóga', 'Bachelorette' and 'Hunter', and is widely treated as the template for orchestral electronica since.
• Legacy · LP1 by FKA twigs (2014). FKA twigs has named Björk a key influence, and critics received LP1 as a direct descendant of Vespertine's aesthetic: microscopic beat programming, breathy intimate vocals, and total authorship across sound, image and choreography. Björk publicly praised twigs and the two later duetted on 'Fungal City' from Fossora (2022), closing the loop — the rare case where the acknowledged heir ends up recording with the artist who shaped her.
• Key Collaborator · Frequencies by LFO (1991). Mark Bell of Leeds bleep-techno duo LFO was Björk's most trusted studio partner, co-producing Homogenic, Selmasongs, Vespertine and Volta; she called him one of her closest musical collaborators and dedicated later work to him after his death in 2014. Frequencies, LFO's landmark Warp Records debut, showcases the sub-bass weight and stark electronic minimalism Bell brought to Björk's records — hear 'LFO' and you hear Homogenic's engine room.

What influenced Björk

• Joni Mitchell (1943). Wikipedia states Mitchell influenced Björk. (also via Vespertine, The Boho Dance, Hejira) “Whatever Mitchell's stated views of feminism, what she represents more than any other performer of her era is the new prominence of women's perspectives in cultural and political life." Mitchell's work has had a significant influence on …” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Karlheinz Stockhausen. Björk acknowledged Stockhausen’s influence. (also via Gesang der Jünglinge) “When I was introduced to Stockhausen it was like 'aaah' ! Finally somebody was speaking my language.” (Dazed & Confused)
• Dolmen Music by Meredith Monk (1981). Dolmen Music (Meredith Monk) — ghost for Björk “It was during her days playing drums in an Icelandic punk band that the then 16-year-old Björk first heard Meredith Monk’s Dolmen Music and was entranced. Years later, after she covered Monk’s “Gotham Lullaby” on a world tour with the Br…” (New Music USA (Counterstream Radio))
• Gesang der Jünglinge by Karlheinz Stockhausen (1956). Gesang der Jünglinge (Karlheinz Stockhausen) — titan for Björk “This interview is from "Dazed and Confused" (#23 1996), and it's called "Compose Yourself," Introduction and Interview by Björk.” (Digital Sound Cultures (blog))
• Kraftwerk (1961). Björk cites Kraftwerk as one of her main influences. “Björk has cited the band as one of her main musical influences.” (Wikipedia)
• E. E. Cummings. Cummings's poetry was a lyrical source for Vespertine. “Lyrical sources included the works of American poet E. E. Cummings , the American independent filmmaker Harmony Korine , and English playwright Sarah Kane 's penultimate play, Crave .” (Wikipedia)
• Crave by Sarah Kane. Sarah Kane's play Crave was a lyrical source for Vespertine. “Lyrical sources included the works of American poet E. E. Cummings , the American independent filmmaker Harmony Korine , and English playwright Sarah Kane 's penultimate play, Crave .” (Wikipedia)
• Hejira by Joni Mitchell. Björk compared her collaboration with Arca to the Mitchell-Pastorius partnership. “likening it to that of Joni Mitchell and Jaco Pastorius during the albums Hejira and Don Juan's Reckless Daughter” (Wikipedia)
• Grace Jones. Munzenrieder describes Björk as drawing on Jones. “Kyle Munzenrieder of W magazine wrote that "everyone from Madonna to Björk to Beyoncé to Lady Gaga has taken more than a few pages from her playbook".” (Wikipedia)
• Steve Reich. Björk is listed among musicians influenced by Reich. “Reich's style of composition has influenced many other composers and musical groups, including John Adams , Michael Nyman , Aphex Twin , Björk , Sonic Youth , Brian Eno” (Wikipedia)
• Stalker by Andrei Tarkovsky (1979). Stalker (Andrei Tarkovsky) — culture for Björk (wikidata.org)
• Siouxsie and the Banshees (1976). Siouxsie and the Banshees influenced Björk's work with Tappi Tíkarrass.
• Joy Division (1976). Joy Division influenced Björk's work with Tappi Tíkarrass.

Peers and kindred spirits

• Maxinquaye by Tricky (1995). Maxinquaye (Tricky) — peer for Björk “The people I collaborated with were all people I was hanging out with in clubs in London. I had known them all for a while before we ended up working together."” (Wikipedia (Post, Björk album))
• Frequencies by LFO (1991). Frequencies (LFO) — collaborator for Björk “LFO released three albums, 1991’s ‘Frequencies’, 1996’s ‘Advance’ and 2003’s ‘Sheath’. Bell worked closely with Björk, co-producing a number of her albums, starting in 1997 with ‘Homogenic’” (NME)
• Alexander McQueen (1969). Björk sought McQueen's design work for her album cover. (also via Alarm Call, Pagan Poetry, Homogenic) “Icelandic singer Björk sought McQueen's work for the cover of her album Homogenic in 1997.” (Wikipedia)
• Tricky. Björk collaborated with Tricky on his Nearly God project. (also via Maxinquaye) “collaborated on two songs for Tricky's Nearly God project” (Wikipedia)
• Loftmynd by Megas (1987). Loftmynd (Megas) — geography for Björk “Björk contributed as a background vocalist on 1987 album Loftmynd by Megas, for whom she provided background vocals also on his subsequent album, Höfuðlausnir (1988), and Hættuleg hljómsveit & glæpakvendið Stella (1990).” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Madonna (1958). Björk co-wrote a song for Madonna's album. “co-wrote the song " Bedtime Story " for Madonna 's 1994 album Bedtime Stories” (Wikipedia)
• Graham Massey. Graham Massey co-produced Post. “the album was produced in conjunction with Nellee Hooper , Tricky , Graham Massey of 808 State , and electronica producer Howie B” (Wikipedia)
• Howie B. Howie B co-produced Post. “the album was produced in conjunction with Nellee Hooper , Tricky , Graham Massey of 808 State , and electronica producer Howie B” (Wikipedia)
• Nellee Hooper. Björk began working with producer Nellee Hooper on her solo debut. “She began working with producer Nellee Hooper (who had produced Massive Attack , among others).” (Wikipedia)
• Michel Gondry. Gondry directed her video and became a recurring collaborator. “It was directed by Michel Gondry , who became a frequent collaborator for Björk.” (Wikipedia)
• David Arnold. Björk worked with David Arnold on the song Play Dead. “She worked with David Arnold on " Play Dead " , the theme to the 1993 film The Young Americans” (Wikipedia)
• Plaid. Björk appeared on a track for Plaid's album. “appeared on the track "Lilith" for the album Not for Threes by Plaid” (Wikipedia)
• Mark Bell. Mark Bell co-produced Homogenic. “Björk worked with producers Mark Bell of LFO and Howie B , as well as Eumir Deodato ; numerous remixes followed.” (Wikipedia)
• Eumir Deodato. Eumir Deodato worked on Homogenic. “Björk worked with producers Mark Bell of LFO and Howie B , as well as Eumir Deodato ; numerous remixes followed.” (Wikipedia)
• Chris Cunningham. Chris Cunningham directed a Björk music video. “" All Is Full of Love " was directed by Chris Cunningham .” (Wikipedia)
• Thom Yorke (1968). Björk duetted with Thom Yorke on the Selmasongs track. “features a duet with Thom Yorke of Radiohead titled " I've Seen It All "” (Wikipedia)
• Matmos. Matmos collaborated on Vespertine. “she collaborated with experimental musicians such as Matmos , Denmark-based DJ Thomas Knak , and harpist Zeena Parkins .” (Wikipedia)
• Zeena Parkins. Harpist Zeena Parkins collaborated on Vespertine. “she collaborated with experimental musicians such as Matmos , Denmark-based DJ Thomas Knak , and harpist Zeena Parkins .” (Wikipedia)
• Brodsky Quartet. Björk worked with the Brodsky Quartet, included on Family Tree. “including her work with the Brodsky Quartet .” (Wikipedia)
• John Tavener. Tavener composed 'Prayer of the Heart' for Björk. “a composition written for her by composer John Tavener in 2001” (Wikipedia)
• Matthew Barney. Björk collaborated with Matthew Barney on Drawing Restraint 9. “Björk collaborated with partner Matthew Barney on the experimental art film Drawing Restraint 9” (Wikipedia)
• The Boho Dance by Joni Mitchell. Björk covered Joni Mitchell's 'The Boho Dance'. “Björk contributed a cover of Joni Mitchell 's song "The Boho Dance" to the album A Tribute to Joni Mitchell (2007).” (Wikipedia)
• Ólöf Arnalds. Björk duetted with Ólöf Arnalds. “she dueted with fellow Icelander (and One Little Indian labelmate) Ólöf Arnalds on a track called "Surrender"” (Wikipedia)
• Arca. Arca produced Vulnicura with Björk. “Björk worked with producers Arca and the Haxan Cloak on her eight studio album, titled Vulnicura” (Wikipedia)
• the Haxan Cloak. The Haxan Cloak produced Vulnicura with Björk. “Björk worked with producers Arca and the Haxan Cloak on her eight studio album, titled Vulnicura” (Wikipedia)
• Sega Bodega. Sega Bodega produced Björk's single 'Oral'. “Björk released the single " Oral ", featuring Rosalía with production from Sega Bodega” (Wikipedia)
• Rosalía. Björk was featured on Rosalía's 'Berghain'. “In 2025, Björk was featured on Rosalía 's " Berghain " alongside Yves Tumor .” (Wikipedia)
• Sjón. Sjón co-wrote The Northman, in which Björk starred. “Björk joined the cast of The Northman , the third feature film by Robert Eggers , co-written with Sjón” (Wikipedia)
• Vökuró by Jórunn Viðar. Performed live 31 times (2004–2008) per setlist.fm (YouTube)
• Jean Paul Gaultier. Björk modeled for Gaultier in 1994. “Björk : The Icelandic artist modeled for him in 1994, and appeared on this occasion in Robert Altman 's film Prêt à Porter .” (Wikipedia)
• Into You by Ariana Grande. Performed live 4 times (2016–2017) per setlist.fm (setlist.fm)
• four ethers by serpentwithfeet. Performed live 3 times (2015–2017) per setlist.fm (setlist.fm)
• Spider by Mun Sing. Performed live 2 times (2024) per setlist.fm (setlist.fm)
• The Laughing Policeman by Charles Penrose. Performed live 2 times (2017–2024) per setlist.fm (setlist.fm)
• Squabble by Mun Sing. Performed live 2 times (2024) per setlist.fm (setlist.fm)
• Waiting in the Car by Mun Sing. Performed live 2 times (2024) per setlist.fm (setlist.fm)
• Trance Adiluhunxxx by Gabber Modus Operandi. Performed live 2 times (2024) per setlist.fm (setlist.fm)
• Agoya by Rian Treanor. Performed live 2 times (2024) per setlist.fm (setlist.fm)
• come get me by sideproject. Performed live 2 times (2024) per setlist.fm (setlist.fm)
• Scripture by Eartheater. Performed live 2 times (2023–2024) per setlist.fm (setlist.fm)

…and 2 more on the map above.

Who Björk influenced

• Mitski (1990). Björk cited as a later influence on Mitski's musical tastes. (also via Homogenic) “Growing up listening to American pop artists who gained popularity abroad such as Mariah Carey , Christina Aguilera , Britney Spears and NSYNC , Mitski's music tastes developed after discovering Jeff Buckley , and later, Björk , M.I.A. a…” (Wikipedia)
• Kali Uchis (1994). Uchis named Björk as an influence on her sound. “Other musicians she cited as influences on her sound are Björk , Curtis Mayfield , Loose Ends , Ralfi Pagan , and Irma Thomas” (Wikipedia)
• SZA. SZA cites Björk as an inspiration. (also via Homogenic) “SZA also cites Meelah , the Red Hot Chili Peppers , LFO , Macy Gray , Common , Björk , Jamiroquai , and "a lot of Wu , Nas , Mos Def , Hov " as inspirations.” (Wikipedia)
• Death Grips. Death Grips used Björk's vocal samples across an entire album. “Björk recorded original vocal samples for Death Grips, which they used on all 8 songs of Niggas on the Moon” (Wikipedia)
• Travis Scott (1991). Scott names Björk as one of his biggest inspirations. “Scott has stated that Björk is "one of my biggest inspirations for why I do what I do"” (Wikipedia)
• LP1 by FKA twigs (2014). LP1 (FKA twigs) — legacy for Björk (musicbrainz.org)