Another string to Bjork's bow

When critics rated their albums of 2015, Bjork’s release topped many of the lists. Emily Witt met the singer at her cabin in Iceland.

EVERY album Bjork produces resolves itself into a story. The story begins with the songs, the raw material through which Bjork channels emotion, autobiographical experience and philosophical ideas.

The songs cohere into a universe. They take on colours, elements, an instrumental sound. They have a physical character, whom Bjork will portray on the album cover: the shy-girl songs of Debut as a virginal innocent in silver mohair; the volcanic beats of Homogenic as a patriotic warrior.