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Agnes Obel — Familiar
Album: Citizen of Glass
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3057









Released: 2016
Length: 3:50
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Can you walk on the water with I, you and I?
"Because your blood's running cold" said the familiar, true to life
Can you walk on the water with I, you and I?
Or keep your eyes on the road and live there familiar, without you and I
It glows with gates of gold, true to life

And our love is a ghost that the others can't see
It's a danger
Every shade of us you fade down to keep
Them in the dark on who we are
(Oh what you do to me)
Gonna be the death of me
It's a danger
'Cause our love is a ghost that the others can't see

We took a walk to the summit at night, you and I
To burn a hole in the old grip of the familiar, you and I
And the dark was opening wide, do or die
Under a mask of a million ruling eyes

And our love is a ghost that the others can't see
It's a danger
Every shade of us you fade down to keep
Them in the dark on who we are
(Oh what you do to me)
Gonna be the death of me
It's danger
'Cause our love is a ghost that the others can't see
Comments (106)add comment
WoW, Agnes Obel ... queued into my personal playlist.
So trying to break the ice with a future DIL, I sent her an IM about how Agnes will sample her own strings (SIL is a MM Ed. with Viola as her instrument). Apparently she was a little taken aback, and being a child of the 21st century commented to my son something like "I don't know what the big deal is; everybody does that...why did he text me?"

Well, I don't do that with my tuba!!! 
Flawless
 Bakaretsu wrote:
"Male" voice is Agnes electronically enhanced.

Laurie Anderson was doing that way back in the 80s.
Would be nice to hear something off Big Science here on RP . . .
Hauntingly beautiful
I love this more with each play....
 weedyjoe wrote:
It's nice and moody, but what is it about?
 
According to ChatGPT:
 

"Familiar" is a hauntingly beautiful song by Danish singer-songwriter Agnes Obel, released in 2016 as part of her third studio album, "Citizen of Glass." The song features a combination of ethereal melodies, intricate arrangements, and compelling lyrics that evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. Here is an interpretation of the song:

At its core, "Familiar" explores the theme of rediscovering a connection with someone from one's past. The lyrics suggest the encounter between the two individuals may not be entirely positive, as it brings back memories of their shared past and unearths unresolved emotions. The narrator seems to be unsure of whether the connection is real or a figment of her imagination.

 birdman42 wrote:

I'm really not sure how to rate this. I'm thinking god-like, but which god? 


Maybe a man-made god.
It's nice and moody, but what is it about?
I'm really not sure how to rate this. I'm thinking god-like, but which god? 
mo0ddities wrote:

I want to know who the male vocal is!

 Bakaretsu wrote:


"Male" voice is Agnes electronically enhanced.

Thanks for that, never would have guessed...and a quick search yielded this (from songfacts.com)

The chorus sounds like a male voice, but that's actually Obel's voice pitched down and layered to make it sound ghostly - what she calls "secret singing." The processed vocal also goes with the theme of love (especially secret love) taking place in cyberspace much of the time.

Long Live RP and Love (secret or not!!) 
If a song doesn't fit into a certain genre, then it's either a song in its own class or it's on a very special station with its own style. Or both! Love that!
 Rexrp wrote:

I now have Agnes Obel in my collection, thanks RP.


Is she there of her own free will, or should we notify the authorities?
 mo0ddities wrote:

I want to know who the male vocal is!



"Male" voice is Agnes electronically enhanced.
Discovering Agnes on RP was costly find.
I want to know who the male vocal is!
She's an absolute badass with a mellotron!
<edit> I was sitting at my Covid induced home "office" listening to this wonderful music and it struck me that in the car I am much more inclined to hit PSD and then it occurred to me that the RP main mix is too contemplative to drive too. LLRP and thanks for the escapes.
 TampaPurple wrote:
Stumbled over this while watching the German Netflix series Dark. Great backdrop for a dramatic reveal in the show and introduced me to a new artist!

Strange, lamenting, eery, and wonderfully compelling!
Whomever chose that picture of Ms. Obel for Wiki really didn't like her very much.  It doesn't capture her, IMHO.  Not that I'm all about beauty. We all have our unguarded awkward moments that we don't wish memorialized. 
 Wilfrue wrote:

It's a fugue of sorts. 17th century invention. Mozart was a master of them. But Mozart was a pop star in his generation, so perhaps your observation is spot-on!
 
I don't recall too many fugues by Mozart, but I've heard dozens by JS Bach.
I do not hand out a 10 often. This one is deserving.  
Happy Birthday Agnes!  Thanks for sharing!
Why do I like this? I have no earthly idea why I like this. But I like this. I must question everything in my life now.
 TampaPurple wrote:
Stumbled over this while watching the German Netflix series Dark. Great backdrop for a dramatic reveal in the show and introduced me to a new artist!
 
They couldn't have picked a better song for that show. Creepy and haunting.


 MJdub wrote:
The grammar sounds almost Jamaican...U waan walk on da wata wit I?
 
I think she actually sings "if I". For some reason these incorrect lyrics seem to be almost everywhere, but I have seen the correct ones, too. 
 jocelynsart wrote:
Just finished watching the show Cardinal, 15 minutes ago, for which this was used as the theme song. Such a beautiful, haunting singer, love her. The show was terrific. My husband and I remarked as to whether we'd ever heard this particular Obel song here, on RP, and we both thought Yes, but was surprised to see I'd never rated it.
 
This tune was in an episode of "Carnival Row" on Amazon prime season 1.   Recognized the tune and knew it was Agnes immediately having heard it here on RP.  Strangely I could not remember the name of the tune itself, but it was familiar.
she's got a new album coming out very soon. she did a live set at KCRW last week if anyone wants a preview of the new material.
she's amazing 
 groedi wrote:
Listen to "It's Happening Again" from the same album! A masterpiece...
 
Much better than that zeboni zeboni
Listen to "It's Happening Again" from the same album! A masterpiece...
nydelig!
 Actuel wrote:
Soundtrack of a good canadian police television serie

 
Yes I saw that series but it was a different version - slower and more staccato - I like both versions.
Mühsam -Mühsam English: troublesome{#Arghhh}
I now have Agnes Obel in my collection, thanks RP.
 jmkate wrote:
this is one is haunting, and I would love to hear it in a room full of speakers..
 
Then get a room full of speakers...good ones....
this is one is haunting, and I would love to hear it in a room full of speakers..
most entrancing in an alt j sort of way
Very nice.
Soundtrack of a good canadian police television serie
Stumbled over this while watching the German Netflix series Dark. Great backdrop for a dramatic reveal in the show and introduced me to a new artist!
 Wilfrue wrote:

It's a fugue of sorts. 17th century invention. Mozart was a master of them. But Mozart was a pop star in his generation, so perhaps your observation is spot-on!

  
And I think you're spot-on too - heck, Mozart was Bieber/MJ/Elvis way back then, guess we go through them a bit faster now, eh?
The grammar sounds almost Jamaican...U waan walk on da wata wit I?
 lizardking wrote:

As much as I like this tune, I'm slightly off-put by the very pop-centric vocal hook, which frustrates me more because I like it than because it's such a VERY common way to brainwash the human mind into liking the music.  I guess they're calling it the "Milennial Whoop" although I'm sure it predates the 21st century. 

https://www.theguardian.com/music/shortcuts/2016/aug/30/millennial-whoop-pop-music

Long Live RP!!



 
It's a fugue of sorts. 17th century invention. Mozart was a master of them. But Mozart was a pop star in his generation, so perhaps your observation is spot-on!

As much as I like this tune, I'm slightly off-put by the very pop-centric vocal hook, which frustrates me more because I like it than because it's such a VERY common way to brainwash the human mind into liking the music.  I guess they're calling it the "Milennial Whoop" although I'm sure it predates the 21st century. 

https://www.theguardian.com/music/shortcuts/2016/aug/30/millennial-whoop-pop-music

Long Live RP!!


 pookles wrote:
If only this song used the objective case pronoun "me" instead of "I" in the phrase "with I", it would be much more pleasing to me. 

 
Hahahahahaha
Stunning.
Hauntingly Good
 pookles wrote:
If only this song used the objective case pronoun "me" instead of "I" in the phrase "with I", it would be much more pleasing to me. 

 
I like the sound of "I" better than "me". European musicians like Obel seem to be more interested in the sounds of English words than precise grammar. I like that.
When I hear "Familiar" I imagine a video where Agnes is playing piano and singing with a choir of Disney-esque cartoon animals, mostly dogs, wolves and foxes standing on their hind legs, but maybe a lion or tiger or bear, too.

I love this song.
She sounds so much like "Kimbra" from Australia.

I really like it!
This sounds familiar.
 pookles wrote:
If only this song used the objective case pronoun "me" instead of "I" in the phrase "with I", it would be much more pleasing to me. 

 
Aye Aye
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
the male vocal adds heaps - hope she keeps working with him
 

 
Well Bill cleared that up..  

kind of guess she'll be working with him for a while then.
 baylees wrote:
I wanted to dance Terrrrrrrible segway   3 rockin tunes then this pos   now I want to die

 
You done yet? 
 {#Meditate}RIP Chris. He's certainly on the minds of many this day.   JeriF wrote:
Odd I know but, something in this tune is bringing a Chris Cornell tune to mind.  Can't quite place it....

 


I wanted to dance Terrrrrrrible segway   3 rockin tunes then this pos   now I want to die
Just got this album and it's all as good as this one. Similar stylings throughout, but not unlike Elliott Smith (and many others) in that regard. Lovely and haunting—great chill out music! Her Tiny Desk Concert has three tracks from this album. Also she performed Hallelujah at a Leonard Cohen tribute concert in Paris, which is different but nice.
those voices are so sweet.....{#Cheers}
If only this song used the objective case pronoun "me" instead of "I" in the phrase "with I", it would be much more pleasing to me. 
Just finished watching the show Cardinal, 15 minutes ago, for which this was used as the theme song. Such a beautiful, haunting singer, love her. The show was terrific. My husband and I remarked as to whether we'd ever heard this particular Obel song here, on RP, and we both thought Yes, but was surprised to see I'd never rated it.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Well, yes, but fewer and fewer. I also have about 4000 vinyl records. And sadly, I also have my share of mp3s, which to me kind of represent a death, of sorts. Poorer sound quality (because no one cares, anyway) but more importantly, no artwork; just a bunch of soulless ones and zeros (which most people download for free). Alas.

 
I care :) And I absolutely hate it when I hear an FM radio station playing something that is obviously from an MP3 source, or worse, maybe even from YouTube or something. I wish I hadn't been comparing MP3 encoders back in the day when MP3 was emerging, because now I cannot hear a sloppy MP3 without being annoyed by the compression artifacts.
I do have way more MP3s than physical albums, but I still buy CDs for the albums I really like. Not just to be able to make my own rip in the quality I desire, also just to have a more worthwhile experience than merely clicking a few times on the same machine where I do a gazillion other things. And when doing a little bit of effort, CDs can often be found cheaper than a (legal) digital album download.
lovely melody
truly creative production 
 wruffner wrote:
With vinyl I'd listen less often than I'd like; fiddling with them is a pain, and pretty much limited to one place essentially. Also applies to CDs to a degree too.

With MP3s, I can listen anywhere, anytime, always. I started with MP3s thinking I could do anything I wanted to with them, and then I realized I could do everything I wanted to do.

So maybe the quality drops a bit, but life has so much more music in it with such overwhelming flexibility. And I have no issue supporting the artists, it's a fair obligation. But I also don't listen to the Mega "artists" too much, either.

 
On_The_Beach wrote:
Well, yes, but fewer and fewer. I also have about 4000 vinyl records. And sadly, I also have my share of mp3s, which to me kind of represent a death, of sorts. Poorer sound quality (because no one cares, anyway) but more importantly, no artwork; just a bunch of soulless ones and zeros (which most people download for free). Alas.
 
I can't disagree with what you're saying. The convenience factor is huge (which is why I rarely listen to vinyl; mostly CDs).
I know a guy who has downloaded over 14,000 albums (ie 140,000+ songs) and counting, and has not paid a penny for them.
That I think is wrong.
I guess I'm just an old guy longing for "the good old days". "You kids get off my lawn, and take yer newfangled mp3s with ya!"
Cheers, wruffner.
With vinyl I'd listen less often than I'd like; fiddling with them is a pain, and pretty much limited to one place essentially. Also applies to CDs to a degree too.

With MP3s, I can listen anywhere, anytime, always. I started with MP3s thinking I could do anything I wanted to with them, and then I realized I could do everything I wanted to do.

So maybe the quality drops a bit, but life has so much more music in it with such overwhelming flexibility. And I have no issue supporting the artists, it's a fair obligation. But I also don't listen to the Mega "artists" too much, either.

 
On_The_Beach wrote:

Well, yes, but fewer and fewer. I also have about 4000 vinyl records. And sadly, I also have my share of mp3s, which to me kind of represent a death, of sorts. Poorer sound quality (because no one cares, anyway) but more importantly, no artwork; just a bunch of soulless ones and zeros (which most people download for free). Alas.

 


The more I hear this the more I like it. And I applaud & revere RP for turning me on to Agnes Obel and many others. My life feels much more rich with RP on all the time...
{#Sunny}
Components of this remind me of Alt-J
 Shotoverplain wrote:
for some strange reason I really do not like this piece of music and it seems to keep creeping up on me every time I tune into RP
 
It's getting more airplay than songs normally do (10 plays in last 30 days) since it's from a very recently released album.  It may just be your timing of when you tune in.
Odd I know but, something in this tune is bringing a Chris Cornell tune to mind.  Can't quite place it....
Another great example of why music is such moving & inspiring ART! RadioRon
Every time I hear this song I love it more. {#Bananajam}
the music of our time! Awesome — must seek out this artist.
 Shotoverplain wrote:
for some strange reason I really do not like this piece of music and it seems to keep creeping up on me every time I tune into RP
 
Your reason is really a strange one. When smth repeatedly creeps up on you it might be symptomatic of paranoia or schizophrenia. Try to relax, sleep well, eat more vegetables... What else?.. Oh - pardon me - try PSDing even more frequently to finalize the distortion of your mind and enjoy the result!
 DigitalJer wrote:

Hugo Cassavetti, from Telerama, wrote (translated from French): "Percussions of a deaf power rhythm a delicately acrobatic melody that the singer interprets in a voice that mutates strangely. Yes, Obel, as duplicated by technology, makes a duet with its echo to the disturbing male stamp."

 
Fascinating ...
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:


 Shotoverplain wrote:
there seems to be quite a collection of particularly irritating songs played repetitively on Rp this one comes near the top of the list of irritations

iterating irritation?

 
Re-iteration?
the male vocal adds heaps - hope she keeps working with him
 
 Cannon wrote:
People still buy CD's?
 
Well, yes, but fewer and fewer. I also have about 4000 vinyl records. And sadly, I also have my share of mp3s, which to me kind of represent a death, of sorts. Poorer sound quality (because no one cares, anyway) but more importantly, no artwork; just a bunch of soulless ones and zeros (which most people download for free). Alas.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Ah, and mine just arrived today.
I've just listened all the way through once, but yes, first impression is very good.
Looking forward to seeing her live in March.

 
People still buy CD's?  
 1wolfy wrote:
I just ordered this CD...I expect I'll love it
 
Ah, and mine just arrived today.
I've just listened all the way through once, but yes, first impression is very good.
Looking forward to seeing her live in March.
for some strange reason I really do not like this piece of music and it seems to keep creeping up on me every time I tune into RP
Wonderful.  Keeps on growing on me.
I just ordered this CD...I expect I'll love it
хочу подарить эту песню ЭМИЛИИ
 DaidyBoy wrote:
My word, this woman is talented.  This is exquisite. Instant 9 and climbing.

 
Yes, indeed!  I was very intrigued by the male voice, wondering who this guy was with such a compelling voice.  Bit of a let down that it's Obel's voice distorted.  I was hoping there was an up and coming new artist I'd never heard of before.
 DaidyBoy wrote:
My word, this woman is talented.  This is exquisite. Instant 9 and climbing.

 
The voice of the man is exquisite as well. I see something from Gotye in this song. And something extra  very special in the voices and the melody.
 yes , she's really something  DaidyBoy wrote:
My word, this woman is talented.  This is exquisite. Instant 9 and climbing.

 

My word, this woman is talented.  This is exquisite. Instant 9 and climbing.
 Shotoverplain wrote:
there seems to be quite a collection of particularly irritating songs played repetitively on Rp this one comes near the top of the list of irritations
 
Just use the PSD-Function.
This is one fantastic song! Thanks RP for playing it!
 Shotoverplain wrote:
there seems to be quite a collection of particularly irritating songs played repetitively on Rp this one comes near the top of the list of irritations
 

 Shotoverplain wrote:
there seems to be quite a collection of particularly irritating songs played repetitively on Rp this one comes near the top of the list of irritations

iterating irritation?
there seems to be quite a collection of particularly irritating songs played repetitively on Rp this one comes near the top of the list of irritations
Wonderfully beautiful!
Sorry those damn' speakers waistin' all the wonder (
Thanks Bill! Sure wouldn't hear any of this on Dallas airwaves.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

That would be my guess as well.
With all the filters and gadgets available, it's easy to make a female voice sound male.
Laurie Anderson was doing it back in the 80s.

 
As mentioned earlier, she is singing an accompaniment with herself.  There is no male vocalist.
 Jakethemuss wrote:
The lack of a credit makes me think it's probably her as well?
 
That would be my guess as well.
With all the filters and gadgets available, it's easy to make a female voice sound male.
Laurie Anderson was doing it back in the 80s.
 passsion8 wrote:
Wonder who the male voice is....? New, but a bit more shoegazing. Or should I say introspective?

Agnes explains the inspiration for the title Citizen of Glass…

“The title comes from the German concept of the gläserner bürger, the human or glass citizen… There’s an increasing sense in this world that you have to make yourself a bit of glass. To be willing to open up, use yourself as material, and not just if you’re an artist or a musician. I worked with the title from the very beginning to push myself to do new things. As an album, it feels bigger to me, a lot bigger.”



 
The lack of a credit makes me think it's probably her as well?
 passsion8 wrote:
Wonder who the male voice is....? New, but a bit more shoegazing. Or should I say introspective?
 
Hugo Cassavetti, from Telerama, wrote (translated from French): "Percussions of a deaf power rhythm a delicately acrobatic melody that the singer interprets in a voice that mutates strangely. Yes, Obel, as duplicated by technology, makes a duet with its echo to the disturbing male stamp."
wow, this drew me in fast....
OH GREAT, cellos...k I'm sold
Saw her last year. So compelling. Just as good in person as her albums. Some new good stuff!
From what I can tell, this chick can do no wrong.
The remarkable harmony pulled me across the room and gave me chills. Excellent choice, RP.
wow.... this is fine
Wonder who the male voice is....? New, but a bit more shoegazing. Or should I say introspective?

Agnes explains the inspiration for the title Citizen of Glass…

“The title comes from the German concept of the gläserner bürger, the human or glass citizen… There’s an increasing sense in this world that you have to make yourself a bit of glass. To be willing to open up, use yourself as material, and not just if you’re an artist or a musician. I worked with the title from the very beginning to push myself to do new things. As an album, it feels bigger to me, a lot bigger.”


new Agnes! {#Hearteyes}

love it