Throughout her career, Björk has consistently pulled from both synthetic and organic instrumentation in her music. Björk’s 2001 album “Vespertine” masterfully sees both of these elements blur into each other forming a cohesive and distinct soundscape. Despite her previous records, Björk’s vocals are much more hushed, using her signature explosive vocal howls sparingly. This essay delves into the intricacies of “Unison,” exploring its instrumentation and composition to reveal the intentional choices made by Björk in crafting a distinctive sonic narrative.
The instrumental palette of “Unison”, the album’s closing track is a fusion of electronic and orchestral elements, a hallmark of Björk’s experimental style. The song exhibits a rich tapestry of instrumentation and arrangement slowly building around Björk’s voice. The orchestration includes souring choir and strings strings, harp, and choir, creating a lush and otherworldly backdrop. The electronic components consist of glitchy jungle-inspired drum beats, shimmery synthesised textures, plucky harp, rhythmic organ and Björk’s signature manipulated vocals.
The arrangement of “Unison” is a carefully curated journey through sonic landscapes. The song’s structure unfolds in a nonlinear fashion, with recurring motifs and evolving textures. The arrangement creates a sense of ephemerality as if the listener is navigating through Björk’s musical netherworld. The dynamics shift seamlessly between subdued moments, where Björk’s voice hovers like a whisper, and more expansive sections, where the orchestral and electronic elements converge in a symphony of sound.
Björk looks ahead to a life together, an existence of perfect “Unison”, the choice of instrumentation is deeply tied to the song’s thematic and emotional content. The marriage of orchestral and electronic elements mirrors lyrical duality, exploring themes of unity and connection. Putting aside her selfish wants and insecurities, Björk sings of realising that she can’t be alone without her partner by her side. As Björk’s voice builds to emotional highs and the music swells together to a wall of full, immaculate sound, she vows to come together with her partner to no longer be two separate lovers but a full, complete couple working together as one. “I never thought I would compromise,” she repeats, as an example of just how much this love has transformed her. As beats bubble up below euphoric harps and angelic backing vocals, it feels like hearing her boundless love and excitement turned into a pure euphonic sound. You can practically hear her laughing as she gazes into her lover’s eyes and admits in the following line: “But now I can’t do this without you.” Ascending towards the heavens on a cloud of pure adoration and satisfaction that’s outlined by a brief halo of violins, “Unison” overflows with such bliss that it can’t help but seep into you as you listen.
In conclusion, “Unison” by Björk exemplifies the artist’s mastery in selecting and weaving together a diverse range of instruments and sounds. The orchestral and electronic elements, strategically arranged, contribute to the song’s atmospheric and emotional depth. The choice of instrumentation reflects Björk’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of musical expression and her ability to create a sonic experience that is both avant-garde and emotionally resonant. Through “Unison,” Björk invites the listener into a realm where traditional and contemporary, organic and electronic, unite harmoniously.