Björk

Stonemilker

Vulnicura (2015)

"Stonemilker" is the opening track from Björk’s 2015 album Vulnicura. Written and produced by Björk, with beats from Venezuelan artist Arca, the song begins a raw, six-part narrative chronicling the end of Björk's relationship with artist Matthew Barney. Its lush orchestrations, emotional clarity, and inventive arrangements mark "Stonemilker" as a key work in her career12.

Song Details

Meaning and Composition

• Emotional Theme: The lyrics express a longing for emotional openness and clarity within a crumbling relationship. Björk described it as "someone who's trying to get emotions out of another person," emphasizing the desire for mutual vulnerability and understanding against a backdrop of increasing distance23.
• Writing Process: Björk wrote the song’s lyrics on an Icelandic beach—the same place where the music video would later be filmed. She intentionally kept the lyrics straightforward to match the song’s emotional directness4.
• Arrangement: The orchestral strings are prominent, with subtle electronic beats. Björk worked meticulously to unite acoustic and electronic elements in a way that feels "almost symphonic," but ultimately favored a gentle, supportive beat1.
• Alternate Versions:
  • Vulnicura Strings features a lush, exclusively acoustic version without electronics or ambient effects.
  • The Vulnicura Live album presents a performance-based interpretation1.
  • A radio edit exists but was only rarely distributed.

Critical Reception

• Universally acclaimed as one of the highlights of Vulnicura, "Stonemilker" was praised for its striking blend of accessibility and avant-garde ambition.
• It was described as "tragic" and even "the saddest song Björk has ever written," carrying the optimism and heartbreak that frame the album’s narrative14.
• The song ranked #149 on Pitchfork's list of the 200 Best Songs of the 2010s1.

Music Video and Virtual Reality

• Director: Andrew Thomas Huang
• Concept: Shot in 360 degrees on the same Icelandic beach where the lyrics were written. The immersive experience was designed to increase intimacy and put the listener "in the middle" of the music.
• The video debuted at MoMA PS1 and was one of the early examples of virtual reality music videos by a major artist1.
• The VR video uses a special strings mix with all musicians "circling" the viewer to enhance a sense of intimacy.

Notable Lyrics

Show me emotional respect, oh respect, oh respect
And I have emotional needs, oh needs, oh ooh
I wish to synchronize our feelings, our feelings, oh ooh

Björk called these "probably the most obvious lyrics I’ve ever written," reflecting a deliberate effort for lyrical clarity4.

Legacy

• "Stonemilker" remains a centerpiece of Björk’s catalog for its emotional openness, innovative string arrangements, and pioneering use of virtual reality in music video.
• The track stands as an anthem for those seeking understanding and openness in relationships, capturing both the universality and specificity of heartbreak.

"Stonemilker" exemplifies Björk's ability to pair emotional honesty with sonic innovation, creating a timeless and deeply affecting work.123