The song was inspired by the philosophical concept of —the idea that existence and energy recur in an infinite loop.
: Obel describes the past as something that is never truly dead but continues to "speak through us". The lyrics "The past isn't dead / It's alive, it is happening / In the back of my head" highlight this recurring mental state.
: Listeners often interpret the "happening again" refrain as a representation of cyclical mental health struggles, such as the recurring waves of depression or trauma. Agnes Obel - It's Happening Again (Official Video)
: The animation style creates an eerie yet comforting aesthetic that mirrors the song's circular piano melody and haunting chamber pop sound. Song Meaning and Themes
The for "It's Happening Again" by Danish artist Agnes Obel is a surreal, animated journey directed by her long-time collaborator and husband, Alex BrĂ¼el Flagstad . Released as part of her 2016 album Citizen of Glass , the video uses a distinct, blocky "31-bit" pixelated style to explore themes of memory and the cyclical nature of time. Visual Style and Concept The song was inspired by the philosophical concept
: Director Alex BrĂ¼el Flagstad designed the visuals to maintain the "mystery" of the song, providing enough space for listeners to form their own mental pictures without being constrained by a specific story.
: As part of the Citizen of Glass project, the song explores the feeling of being "transparent" and viewed by others, as if one's inner world were a glass prism reflecting the past. : Listeners often interpret the "happening again" refrain
Watch the official music video for 'It's Happening Again' here: Agnes Obel - It's Happening Again (Official Video) Agnes Obel YouTube• 16 Nov 2016 Agnes Obel Sings A Dream