Erika Sirola – BERNADETTE

Photo / Morrigan Rawson

Track of the week. It’s been quite the while since we featured some high-grade experimental music, so we’re excited to be sharing with you this fabulous new song from Finnish-Canadian star Erika Sirola.

‘BERNADETTE’ is lifted from the artist’s freshly released ‘THE FOUR FACES’ EP (out now), and presents listeners with an intelligent fusion of experimental electronica, alternative pop and hints of funk.

“This EP delves into the core of the self. I’m such an advocate for fluidity in artistry. I’ve witnessed so many who feel they’ve had to sacrifice interesting avenues out of fear they wouldn’t be accepted or understood. The creation of this EP and design collection also marks the first significant step for me in letting go and embracing freedom in ‘all the everything and nothing’ that I am. The Jungian Archetypes profoundly influenced my journey of self-exploration to such an extent that they became the foundation of the songs. Together, they represent ‘the four faces,’ with each song telling the story of a character.”

In addition to the release of the EP, Sirola has also unveiled a corresponding visual world that compliments each of the four songs. Blending sustainability with antiques and armoury, the collection can be found through Basic Space.

Erika Sirola

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Knife Girl – Eat You Alive

Songwriter and producer Lili Aslo is a Finnish musical icon who has been performing under different names since 2013.

Her latest project, Knife Girl, has already taken the tastemaker world by storm. Following the release of critically acclaimed debut album ‘Uniform’ last year (listen here), Aslo is back with a deliciously bouncy pop number called ‘Eat You Alive’.

“It’s about wanting to forget about how love has hurt you for a second and giving into your dumb lust. I wouldn’t say I’m super knowledgeable about Ska but people tell me this song sounds like Ska. I think it sounds like sex. This is the last single before I begin releasing music off of my second full length album.”

Over the past year alone, Aslo’s Knife Girl project received a nomination for ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at her country’s Indie Awards, and was also awarded ‘Breakthrough Artist’ on YLEX radio.

Aslo has also been praised by outlets as noted as The Line of Best Fit, Wonderland, Earmilk, BBC Radio 1 and Finnish music magazine Soundi.

Knife Girl

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Knife Girl Finland Shows 2023

  • 06.04.2023 — Kuudes Linja, Helsinki
  • 20.04.2023 — Sellosali, Espoo
  • 08.06.2023 — Sideways Festival, Helsinki
  • 10.06.2023 — Pikipop, Oulu
  • 29.06.2023 — Provinssi, Seinäjoki
  • 25/26.08.2023 – Festivali, Tampere

Pearly Drops – Feed The Fire

Hotly-tipped Helsinki duo Pearly Drops unveil another stellar new release today, entitled ‘Feed The Fire’.

As far as pop music goes, this track is refreshingly unpredictable and intriguing. Through its intelligent style of production, the song contrasts feelings of joy and euphoria, with melancholy and woe.

“This song can’t decide if it’s outgoing or shy, sad or upbeat, it’s like when you say someone is a ‘lost cause’ – not really having a proper sense of self or lacking a protecting barrier between yourself and the rest of the world.”

Pearly Drops (aka Sandra Tervonen and Juuso Malin) have grown to become one of Finland’s most hyped musical acts in recent years, and currently command more than 590k monthly Spotify listeners.

Pearly Drops

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New Music: leoblu

Hailing from the small Finnish island of Åland (population 30,000), leoblu is rapidly gaining momentum as a Scandinavian artist to watch for in 2023.

Inspired by grief, ‘cake’ is leoblu’s newest release, and showcases a dark-pop sound that beautifully and thoughtfully encapsulates the essence of melancholy.

To date, this rising alternative talent has amassed more than 800k career streams on Spotify alone, and performed on festival stages globally – from Spain to Canada and Argentina.

leoblu

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Ina Forsman – Love Me

Finnish music sensation Ina Forsman returns with an uptempo slice of nostalgic soul today through the release of new single ‘Love Me’.

Inspired by the moments that one feels when they first express their love to someone, the track continues to showcase Forsman’s exceptional style of fusing retro soul with modern indie. The song is taken from Forsman’s upcoming album, ‘All There Is’, of which she says:

“My new album’s theme is ‘Cinematic Soul’. I wanted to make soulful music with a retro approach and a BIG sound; Strings, choir, horns, the whole package. I didn’t check too much what is considered as ‘Cinematic Soul’, instead I created what I believe that kinda music should, could, be.”

The album is released later this month, and you can also catch Forsman across Europe this summer on tour – with stops in Germany, France and Switzerland among other places (full schedule here).

Ina Forsman

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Louie Blue – Call You Up

One of my favourite talents to emerge from Finland recently has been Louie Blue. This artist has been releasing sleek fusions of RnB, alt-pop and indie consistently for some time now, despite still being only 20-years old.

Today he unveils his debut LP ‘Division 8’, and with it the new single ‘Call You Up’. The track delivers an R&B sound that is inspired by the musical aesthetics of the early 2000’s, with the artist himself describing it as an “organic, straight forward, old-school R&B song.” On the LP, Louie Blue says:

“I don’t want to pretend that the album is a calculated or a strategically planned collection of songs in specific order. This album sounds like the journey I’ve traveled inside my head in the last two years making this. A lot of songs were left out, but the 15 tracks that I kept on the album are perfect to describe me as an artist right now.”

‘Division 8’ is out now| Louie Blue

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Ina Forsman – Don’t Lose Today

Finnish starlet Ina Forsman is back today with a beautifully nostalgic soul sound. Inspired by a conversation that Ina had with her partner, new single ‘Don’t Lose Today’ is all about fulfilling love and devastating inner struggles.

“We live in a world where we worry so much about the future that far too often we forget to enjoy the present moment. We should remind ourselves more often that as soon as we arrive where our longing is taking us today, we will be thinking about the future in the same way that we are already thinking about it today.”

Ina Forsman

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New Music: Bambi L

Finnish music doesn’t come over often to us, but when it does it always seems to be a beautiful experience to play.

When she’s not busy helping to write music for the likes of Karl Killing and Junge Junge, Bambi L creates a unique style of indie-pop that feels immediately relatable, while still carrying a subtle and measured sense of playfulness and eccentricity.

“With this song I want to send a message to people, that it’s okay if you’re feeling sad or lonely, or going through a hard time on Christmas. You are not alone.” 

Bambi L

Misha – Glory (feat. Latrell James & Najee Janey)

Hailing from Helsinki. Misha is half Finnish and half Ukrainian producer who is crafting some of the most finessed blends of hip hop and RnB to emerge from the Nordic nations right now.

And with over ten million streams and support from the likes of BBC Radio 1Xtra/ Jamz Supernova and Okayplayer, this is one talent to watch out for!

Taken from Misha’s new EP ‘Gusto’ which is out now.

Misha | Latrell James | Najee Janey

New Music: Miki Ratsula

A hugely exciting new talent from So-Cal, Miki Ratsula is a Finnish-American artist who’s style of lo-fi pop is not only beautifully stripped-back, but melodic and emotive. This is a sound that encapsulates the essence youth in 2021, and it’s beautiful.

“’reeboks’ is a song about being so anxious about the future that I end up just running myself into the ground. I don’t want to dwell over such mundane things. I’d rather be excited for future things. At its roots, it’s a song about anxiety and the weight it carries on us.”

Miki Ratsula

New Music: Molly Mae

A gorgeously sleek fusion of soul, RnB and pop from Finnish-Swedish talent Molly Mae.

A successfully featured vocalist on tracks by the likes of Liam Mockridge, Palma and KASPERG, this Berlin-based producer & singer is now ready to showcase her own sound through debut single ‘I Wanna Know’, of which she says:

“It’s about wanting to explore a connection further with someone yet not knowing exactly where they stand. You know, that frustration of not understanding why the other person is holding back, I think a lot of people have been there.” 

Molly Mae

Isac Elliot – Waving At Cars / Ghost

Finnish pop sensation Isac Elliot returns with two pop bangers that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

Isac Elliot

New Music: Mike Back

Already a noted YouTuber and influencer in his native Finland, Mike Back has now released his first single.

It’s a subtle blend of acoustic indie and pop, delivered with a beautifully distinctive vocal.

“‘Bad On Purpose’ is a raw and honest RnB-pop song about knowing who you could and should be in a relationship, but wondering why you keep falling short of that goal.”

Mike Back

New Music: Tuomo

A dreamy ode to old-school soul, mixed with tones of RnB and chilled disco from Finnish talent Tuomo.

“The song was originally inspired by discussions on the ideal romantic relationship, but I feel it applies somewhat to all human interactions.”

Tuomo

Robin Packalen – Better Than That

Already an established talent in his native Finland, Robin Packalen returns with some of the sharpest electro-pop to emerge from Scandinavia this year.

Taken from the EP ‘Rest In Beat PM’ which is out now.

Robin Packalen

SUAD – Streets

Finnish artist SUAD returns today with a song that blends indie-rock with pop in the most stunning and captivating way.

“Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary, but often worth it. That’s when something better and more beautiful can take place.” 

The debut solo album is due for release in January 2021.

SUAD

Jesse Markin – Counting Money on a Sunday

Finnish soul-pop with a raw, indie edge and a big lyrical statement.

“Capitalism is a machine that protects those that feed it but also a machine that creates chaos. This year we were able to witness this very closely as the world was fighting the global pandemic. The rich isolated themselves while the rest were left to face their worst fears just because the machine cannot stop. “

Jesse Markin

New Music: SUAD

An artist and songwriter hailing from Helsinki, SUAD blends that dark and ethereal sense of Scandinavian melancholy into an indie-rock sound that feels intense and atmospheric in equal measures.

SUAD

Jesse Markin – Stars in Your Eyes

Jesse Markin really is making his name as one of the boldest talents to have come out of Finland in the last couple of years. Take note of this kid, his approach to hip hop and RnB is too damn good to miss.

Jesse Markin