A Nice Pair: Björk

It’s Sunday which means it’s time for A Nice Pair: book and vinyl pairings that go together like summer holidays and forgetting which day of the week it is. Today we’re pairing the book The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic by Jessica Hopper with the album Debut by Björk.

The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic is a bold, insightful look at music through a feminist lens. Jessica Hopper dives into punk, pop, and hip-hop with essays that are as much about culture and identity as they are about sound. It’s a powerful reminder that music criticism can be personal, political, and fiercely intelligent.

Her piece on Björk highlights how the artist has been routinely overlooked as a producer and composer. Björk speaks out about wanting credit for her work, and Hopper amplifies that call, challenging the music industry’s tendency to downplay women’s creative authority.

Released in 1993, Debut was Björk’s breakout solo album, blending electronic beats, house rhythms and quirky pop with her unmistakable voice. She teamed up with producer Nellee Hooper to craft a sound that felt fresh, intimate, and experimental. Tracks like Human Behaviour and Venus as a Boy helped establish her as a daring and original force in ’90s music.