On April 12, internationally acclaimed songwriter/composer Agnes Obel will release her debut album, Philharmonics in the U.S. on PIAS America.
For a sample of Agnes’ arresting debut, check out “Brother Sparrow” here
Agnes will be making her stateside debut this Spring at SXSW.
Although Agnes is a relative newcomer in the U.S., she’s made waves overseas over the past year. Born in Copenhagen and currently based in Berlin, Agnes’ sparse chamber folk has been lauded worldwide. After building substantial word-of-mouth praise across Europe, Philharmonics was originally released in Europe on Play It Again Sam. The album was hailed by critics who compared Agnes to the likes of PJ Harvey, Joanna Newsom, and Roy Orbison. The album topped the charts in Denmark, The Netherlands, Belgium and in France where publications like Le Monde and Le Figaro prominently featured Agnes as a new artist to watch.
Following the release of Philharmonics, there were a series of sold-out dates in The Netherlands, France and Denmark. And in a bit of fortuitous happenstance, Agnes’ debut was certified Gold in France on January 21st, which also happens to be St. Agnes Day.
Listening to Philharmonics, it’s easy to see what’s made Agnes such a success. Stripped down and centered around her evocative voice, Philharmonics is striking work. Opening with the haunting instrumental of “Falling, Catching,” the song melds into the plaintive ballad “Riverside.” The lilting harp-based tracks like “Just So” and “Beast” rub shoulders with the poignant melodies of “Avenue.” “Brother Sparrow” begins as a mournful elegy that morphs halfway through the song into an upbeat bit of chamber folk. From start to finish, the album is as beautiful as it is sparse.
Friday, February 18, 2011
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