I think one of the big reasons I love Scandinavian music is because it seems to be the only part of the world that takes pop music seriously enough to make some really outstanding tunes. Then you hear amazing pop by someone like LIGHTS from Canada and you get happy. Check out here.
This isn’t exactly ‘new music’ as it’s all re-workings of classics- this is ‘Pleasure Principle’ by Janet Jackson. Check out here.
This just slows you down to stop and listen. It’s sort of delicate and powerful at the same time. Check out here.
I’m seeing a lot of really big RnB/ soul talent from the UK lately, and it makes me happy. I’m adding Shwain to that list. Check out here.
This band’s music has been featured on Gossip Girl, The Hills, How I Met Your Mother, One Tree Hill, Jersey Shore and The City…as well as Shrek IV! Catchy poppy hooks, disarmingly heart-felt lyrics and distorted guitar riffs. Check out here.
The Fiery Piano started out in 2011, releasing his first collection of songs on the self-released Sirens EP. Guitar melodies, distorted vocals and electronical details share ground on elaborate DIY pop songs, everything recorded and mixed in a small apartment in Stockholm. Check out here.
A former Swedish Idol alum, Linnea sings in Swedish. I struggle a bit to understand what she’s on about but her debut song has that unique element of love-or-hate. I’m not sure. I loved it when I first heard it, then I hated it, and now I’m sort of middling around. Check out here.
She’s the voice for Chase & Status’ hit ‘Time’, and now Delilah’s done a re-working of Chaka Khan’s ‘Aint Nobody’ and it’s nothing short of amazing. So excited about this one. Check out here.
Forget the fact that Autumn couldn’t come soon enough this year (in the UK anyway)- this will warm your soul and get your feet itching. Check out here.
“I’ll never belt it like Janis Joplin, And I’ll never kiss Katy Perry, I may never sing a duet with Gaga, And I’ll never be as cool as The Black Keys. I can’t be something I’m not, But I’m just fine Being Me.” Check out here.
I love this. Born in Papua New Guinea, Megan Washington has gone platinum in her Australian homeland. Now residing in New York, she has played the likes of SXSW and sold out shows at Hoxton Bar and Kitchen. Freshly signed to Mercury, Washington will be heading back to the UK this autumn for her biggest tour to date. Check out here.
Blondie inspired disco rock with catchy guitar hooks, thumping beats and a distinctive vocal. Championed by the likes of Jim Lowe (Stereophonics) who also produced the album, Par Westerlund (The Wanted, The Saturdays), Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith/ Foreigner) and Ian Barter (Amy Winehouse). I personally think the video montage thing is mighty cheesy but if you like the song you can download a free copy on her Facebook here.
This guy’s experiments with different instruments mixed into hip hop makes me see him as a new Kanye West ever so slightly. It’s good. Check out here.
A mix of deep, dirty techno sounds with big drums from the UK. Check out here.
Excellent rapping from a man who calls himself T-Shirt. I don’t know much about him but I like the fresh sound he makes. Check out here.
Some raw Scandinavian sounds here. “The dream would be to make a whole motion picture of this song” says LCTRISC. It has a clear cinematic touch with a story set in a dystopian scandinavian landscape. A girl and a boy tries to find refuge from an autocratic society. Don’t expect a sunny tale. Check out here.
This is a summery sounding track, which ironically hasn’t really surfaced for me til now- the end of summer. But I love the laid back, almost effortless vibe around this song. Check out here.
I like any band that I find hard to describe. This is one such band- I can see them making an impact in the US. I guess it’s rock/pop that doesn’t have that annoying Avril Lavigne sound attached to it. Check out here.
