What happens when two of pop’s most inventive, genre-bending auteurs decide to team up? In the case of Björk and Rosalía, sparks—and samurai swords—fly. As long-time admirers of each other’s work, the pair announced in September that they were teaming up to release a single together: a reworking of a previously-unreleased Björk track called “Oral,” originally written in the late ’90s during the recording sessions for two of her most beloved albums, Homogenic and Vespertine. With a little help from Rosalía—and the underground avant-pop producer of the moment Sega Bodega—the song has been transformed into a sensual ode to physical contact over a lush sonic landscape of strings, flutes, and a dancehall-inspired beat.
Rosalía and Bjork’s “Oral” Video Is All About Stripped-Back Style and Samurai Swords
And today, the song finally dropped—with an equally arresting video to match. Directed by the former Rosalía collaborator Carlota Guerrero, the pair stalk their way through a surrealist, hangar-like space seen through a gauzy white glow, wearing a pair of deconstructed looks loosely inspired by martial arts gear styled by Gina Berenguer. (Rosalía in a Maison Margiela top and skirt paired with white leather boots customized by Berenguer, and Björk in an Acne Studios dress.) Kicking, twirling, and spinning their way around the room in a mock fight, they finally step into the center wielding a pair of samurai swords aloft, and turn to attack the camera. Because, well, why not?