“body of water” by SIKADE – A Song Feature

 

     The song from SIKADE is enchanting from start to finish, but it’s the vocals after the 1:30 mark that compel us to confront our own inconsistencies. At that point, the lead and backing vocals diverge, transforming “body of water” into an elegant sonic experience that is both vocally and lyrically layered. The lead carries the verses (“a body of water…”), while the backing vocals settle into a charming chorus loop (“you do the right thing…”). Our inconsistency is that when newscasters talk over each other, we instinctively reach for the remote to change the channel — but here, the lyrically overlapping voices drive a device adjustment to hit “repeat.”
 
     “body of water” also features a harp. SIKADE, also known as Linnea Vestre, is a harpist, songwriter and producer based in Oslo, Norway. Quoting an interesting characterization of the song:
  “body of water” adds a shoegazey edge to SIKADE’s signature blend of melancholic art pop and mellow indie folk. Following the laidback and harp-driven verses, the chorus hits you like a tidal wave of redemptive intensity, with its noisy guitars, expressive string parts and catchy hook. SIKADE’s lyrics are, as always, full of symbolism and ambiguity:

you do the right thing

to look like someone who

would do the right thing

do the right thing

 
     The Bandcamp site of SIKADE shows that other contributors to “body of water” are Emil Vestre (electric guitar, backing vocals), Hans-Fredrik Dolven Oterholt (backing vocals), Inger-Maren Fjeldheim (violin), Kristina Fadeeva (cello), and Oskar Holldorff.

     “body of water” by SIKADE

Bandcamp: https://sikade.bandcamp.com/
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/sikadesikadesikade
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sikadesikadesikade

Lyrics of “body of water” by SIKADE
a body of water
that’s how she sees you
a silvery surface
the face of a mirror
 
but you’re in the deep blue
with all kinds of creatures
looming around you
and in you
 
you do the right thing
to look like someone who
would do the right thing
do the right thing
 
you do the right thing
to look like someone who
would do the right thing
do the right thing
 
alone with your heartbeat
a menacing fever
you’re ready to burn up
you’re ready to see her
 
but you’re in the deep red
you’re wary and watchful
of all that’s around you
and in you
 
you do the right thing
to look like someone who
would do the right thing
do the right thing
 
you do the right thing
to look like someone who
would do the right thing
do the right thing
 
a body of water
that’s what you are
with a silvery surface
your face is a mirror
 
deep in the pitch
hiding all kinds of creatures
always evading
our eyes in the dark
 
she sees a glimpse of
the uneasy seaweed
dancing and swaying
somewhere in your eyes
 
a body of water
that’s what you are
you’re a silvery surface
reflecting her smile