‘The Meaning of Flowers’, a colourful bouquet of an offering from the world of Berlin-based Dane Agnes Obel, is much to contemplate. In contrast to the black and white cover, there is a colourful cornucopia of songs, each a flower of its own, here. This record, six years on from ‘Myopia’, comes after the natural wonder of becoming a mother and the newfound perspective on life this bears. There is much beauty here to traverse, Obel’s world a stunning place to be welcomed back to.
It kicks off with the title track, a sumptuous and grandiose entrance hall for her return, heavy with tenderness, the spell effortless and beguiling. It sets things up in a way only Obel can and suggests magic lives here, as the song somehow leafs through a book of the most exquisite paintings of flowers by the well-known artists of yore.
That the record arrives in time for the European autumn makes sense, the tracks providing a comfort as we shift into colder terrain, the autumn leaves falling, dream-like, a similar majesty to the way Obel’s songs filter into the consciousness, nestle in, live there, the perfect cocoon for hibernation.
Second track and lead single ‘Laymelli’ is a brave exploration of the voice, deeper than we have heard from Obel before, unfamiliar, almost akin to how one finds oneself upon becoming a parent and the focus of life shifting entirely. The track abandons the usual splendour in favour of something more challenging, muscular, and yet entrancing in its own unrecognisable lullaby-like way, a jolt to the senses whilst still caressing the listener, the choral voices in the background lifting the song to the heavens.
This execution of something new here, even elevating this moment to the lead single from the album, shows Obel’s desire to push herself, to go to unfamiliar places, to forge something else from her practised methods. This bravery might signal a less predictable future, and there is a distinct feeling that the more she explores, the more it would enhance her oeuvre.
Obel’s voice never forces the issue, never tears through the fabric of her musical creations, instead tiptoeing through her woven soundscapes, allowing the songs to breathe, to find themselves and settle into their own shapes. This gift is not necessarily an easy one to recognise and might mean Obel garners fewer plaudits than she truly merits, with her music residing more in classical terrain than pop.
Over the course of the twelve tracks, we are, for the most part, reminded what makes Obel so special, why her music is a climbing vine taking us up toward and then into the ether, sharing spells of intoxicating glory, her piano soothing, elegant; her voice effortlessly fitting in and around, sometimes subtle, sometimes more demanding, of both her and her listener, but always celestial and yet inside the room, whispering into your ear.
Occasional electronics (see the minimalist ‘Deem Me Now’) also signal another potential bright future adventure, something that would only bring further dazzling spotlight to Obel’s world.
As the final track ‘Faustian Deal’ ends with sweeping James Bond style strings, and fades away, the ensuing silence, the substantial impact of the album, the urge to listen again, to know Obel’s world is a safe refuge in troubled times, is impossible to ignore.
Each Obel album has been worth its while, though at times they felt like re-treading the same path. The ‘Meaning of Flowers’ is surely her finest for some time, the recent responsibility and privilege of parenthood renewing the inspiration, shedding fresh light on her piano, reinvigorated blood in her voice, a chapter to bookmark. If you have not come across Agnes Obel before, this is almost as good a point to commence as her now 16-year-old debut album, ‘Philharmonic’.
At her finest, Agnes Obel is gripping, enthralling, intoxicating. Both her piano and voice are wielded like expert weapons capturing exquisite little melodies, something she does in astonishing fashion. While this altitude of magic is not quite sustained over twelve tracks, there is an abiding sense of joy from the collection here. A hearty welcome back to the fold is surely extended to Obel by all.
NMC Rating: 8/10
Find her on:
Website: https://www.agnesobel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agnesobelofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agnesobel/
Bandcamp: https://agnesobel.bandcamp.com/music
