Released 10 years ago
Citizen of Glass
Agnes Obel · 2016
40 min · 10 tracks · classical music
Ethereal melodies intertwine with haunting vocals, creating a reflective soundscape steeped in classical and folk traditions.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Familiar — This track showcases Obel's signature blend of delicate piano lines and layered harmonies, capturing the album's introspective essence beautifully.
-
→
Citizen of Glass — The title track encapsulates the thematic exploration of vulnerability and identity through its minimalist arrangement and poignant lyrics.
-
→
It's Happening Again — This song features an emotionally charged vocal delivery paired with a rich orchestral backdrop, highlighting Obel's ability to convey complex feelings.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends ethereal melodies with haunting vocals, showcasing strong composition and distinctiveness.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature layered vocals and strings, creating a dense, atmospheric sound that sets a reflective tone.
- Tracks 4 through 6 introduce more rhythmic elements, with percussive sounds that contrast the earlier ethereal quality.
- The final four tracks gradually reduce in tempo and instrumentation, culminating in a sparse arrangement that emphasizes the haunting vocals.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dreamy, atmospheric soundscapes
- introspective late-night listening
- gradual builds and payoffs
- haunting vocal explorations
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Citizen of Glass' was released in 2016, Agnes Obel had already established herself as a significant voice in indie music with her previous albums. This release followed her critically acclaimed second album, 'Aventine', and marked her continued exploration of intricate arrangements and lyrical depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ólafur Arnalds· Nils Frahm· Ludovico Einaudi
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Stretch Your Eyes 5:11
- 2 Familiar 3:55
- 3 Red Virgin Soil 2:43
- 4 It’s Happening Again 4:20
- 5 Stone 3:56
- 6 Trojan Horses 5:33
- 7 Citizen of Glass 2:49
- 8 Golden Green 3:58
- 9 Grasshopper 2:38
- 10 Mary 5:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.