Agnes Obel - Riverside EP

'Riverside Motherfuckers!!!'. Oh, wrong Riverside. This one's actually about hanging around down by the river and it's devoid of danceable beats and goofy melodies... Shame. Still, it's a good one, this. Magical piano-led balladeering and haunting vocal melodies and counter melodies. It's lush yet subtle, bold yet delicate. Comparisons to Joanna Newsom are to easy to make. B-side 'Close Watch' is a John Cale cover but I don't know the original well enough to make comparisons. All you need to know is that it's tasteful and full of breathey singing and warm, inviting tones plus toward the end it goes all spooky and minimalist like a Kid A-era Radiohead composition. Final track 'Sons and Daughters' is also a tasty little number featuring what sounds like harps as well as twinkling bells and the like. Good single.