Laurie Anderson's 1982 debut album, Big Science, showcases her talents as a conceptual artist and composer. Known for her use of high-tech and homemade gear in her violin-based pieces, Anderson was a prominent figure in the cross-pollinating music-visual art-performance circles of Lower Manhattan.

During the creation of her acclaimed seven-hour performance art/theater piece, United States, Part I–IV, Anderson released the track "O Superman (For Massenet)" on the indie label 110 Records. This electronic-age update of Jules Massenet’s aria ‘O Souverain’ caught the attention of DJ John Peel in the UK, leading to a #2 hit and a worldwide deal with Warner Bros. Records.

Big Science features a unique mix of instrumentation, including tape loops, found sounds, and bagpipes. The album's innovative sound anticipated the tech-savvy beats and sample-based nature of contemporary electronic and dance music.

Reflecting on the album's 25th anniversary, Uncut praised Anderson's themes of alienation and disconnection, noting that her use of loops and traditional/synthesized instrumentation remains prescient in today's music landscape.