B-Side Guys

Linnea Vestre’s incorporation of harp into shoegaze territory creates sonic possibilities that most dream pop artists never consider. “body of water” demonstrates how unconventional instrumentation can enhance rather than distract from heavy emotional material, where delicate string work provides counterpoint to walls of distorted guitar without creating jarring stylistic whiplash.

The track’s structural approach—moving from mellow indie folk verses into redemptive noise—mirrors its thematic exploration of surface versus depth psychology. SIKADE’s production choices understand that some emotional revelations require dynamic contrast rather than consistent intensity, allowing space for contemplation before delivering cathartic release through volume and texture.

Her lyrical examination of performative morality cuts deeper than typical indie rock social commentary. The repetition of “you do the right thing / to look like someone who / would do the right thing” exposes the exhausting cycle of ethical performance without genuine conviction, presenting moral behavior as costume rather than character.

The aquatic metaphors operate on multiple levels without forcing symbolic readings. Water functions simultaneously as emotional depth, deceptive surface, and medium for hidden creatures—both protective and threatening. SIKADE’s approach to metaphorical imagery allows listeners to engage with the symbolism at whatever level feels most relevant to their experience.

Her Oslo base provides geographic context that informs the track’s atmospheric sensibilities without overwhelming them. The Nordic approach to melancholic art pop shows through her comfort with extended instrumental passages and willingness to let emotional weight accumulate gradually rather than demanding immediate payoff.

What distinguishes “body of water” from typical dream pop introspection is its focus on interpersonal dynamics rather than purely internal struggle. SIKADE examines how we appear to others versus how we experience ourselves, treating identity as ongoing negotiation between public performance and private reality.

The track succeeds by understanding that some psychological insights require both gentle approach and overwhelming force to properly communicate.