Is Bastards a good place to start with Björk?

Yes, Bastards is recommended as a starting point for new Björk listeners. Björk's remixes swirl experimental textures with electronic beats, creating an intricate landscape that challenges and captivates the listener. Released in 2012, Bastards is a remix album serving as a companion to Björk's acclaimed Biophilia project, which was her first app-based album. At this point in her career, Björk was exploring new digital formats and avant-garde collaborations, pushing the boundaries of music presentation and sound.

Bastards works well if you're into kaleidoscopic sound exploration, bold experimentation with remixes and intense emotional contrasts throughout.

How many songs are on Bastards?

Bastards has 13 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Bastards

Björk · 2012

68 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock

Björk's remixes swirl experimental textures with electronic beats, creating an intricate landscape that challenges and captivates the listener.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Crystalline (Omar Souleyman remix) Start here — This track transforms the original into a hypnotic blend of Middle Eastern influences and contemporary electronic rhythms, emphasizing the global reach of Björk's sound.
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Virus (Hudson Mohawke Peaches and Guacamol remix) — This remix elevates the original’s intensity with infectious beats and glitchy soundscapes, showcasing Hudson Mohawke’s innovative production style alongside Björk’s unique vocal delivery.
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Thunderbolt (Death Grips remix) — Death Grips’ interpretation injects raw energy and frenetic pacing into the track, highlighting their signature aggressive style while merging seamlessly with Björk's ethereal vocals.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

Bastards showcases innovative remixing but lacks the cohesive flow of an original album.

What we noticed

The album features a series of remixes that reinterpret Björk's original tracks, each bringing distinct electronic elements and textures.
Several tracks utilize unconventional structures, often eschewing traditional verse-chorus forms in favor of more experimental arrangements.
The running time is varied, with some remixes extending the original pieces significantly while others condense them into shorter formats.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

kaleidoscopic sound exploration
bold experimentation with remixes
intense emotional contrasts throughout
dynamic pacing with varied lengths
headphone detail hunting

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Bastards showcases a departure into remix culture, exploring new textures and collaborations.
Themes: electronic experimentation· avant-garde collaborations· dance floor reinvention
Career context: Released in 2012, Bastards is a remix album serving as a companion to Björk's acclaimed Biophilia project, which was her first app-based album. At this point in her career, Björk was exploring new digital formats and avant-garde collaborations, pushing the boundaries of music presentation and sound.
Stylistic neighbors: FKA twigs· Arca· Kate Bush