In addition to discovering Perfume Genius over the weekend, we also chanced upon Denmark’s Agnes Obel.  It’s a wonder we haven’t discovered Obel before given her strong following in Europe and her songs’ use in various commercials and on various TV shows, including Grey’s Anatomy.  Obel released her debut album Philharmonics in 2010 to deserved critical acclaim and will soon release her highly-anticipated sophomore album, Aventine, on PIAS Recordings.  As you will see and hear below, Obel’s work is enchanting and deceptively simple on the surface.  But beneath the songs’ facades are subtle, tasteful flourishes and lyrical depth that effortlessly carry the intrigued listener along while reminding of Kate Bush and a bit of Feist.

Begin below with the recent posting by La Blogotheque of Obel’s performance of unreleased song, Smoke and Mirrors, and then progress chronologically from Riverside from her first album to the recently-released video for The Curse off of her new album (which will be released on September 30th).  We look forward to hearing more from Ms. Obel.