Category: Norwegian Music

MIIA – Wonder Why

Fans of melancholic Scandinavian music will appreciate MIIA’s latest single, ‘Wonder Why’.

The song tells of the sadness that comes with not being able to be with someone you love. It’s a type of heartache that many of us have experienced at some point, and with this song, MIIA presents it in a beautifully moving way.

“‘Wonder Why’ tells the story about meeting someone you instantly connect with, and the quiet heartache of knowing that you can’t stay in each others lives…”

The production fuses dark, dreamy pop with subtle hints of trip-hop, creating a soundscape that is really quite mesmerising to experience, and showcases MIIA’s continuous musical evolution.

MIIA | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

Bellman – She’s Reading Poe

Norwegian singer and songwriter Bellman (aka Arne-Johan Rauan) is one of those rare talents who has a natural flair for crafting eccentric songs that are distinctly original yet also somehow manage to connect with listeners in a sincere and emotional way.

‘She’s Reading Poe’ is a dreamy song that blends indie with pop in a way that is really quite beautiful. Interestingly, the lyrics contrast with the mesmerising sound, describing how sometimes we are unable to control our emotions, and feelings of being alienated.

Bellman played all of the instruments on the track, showcasing his dedication to his work. And with more than 250k career streams to date on Spotify, it’s clear that this is a talent whose work resonates with many people.

“I see music in 3-dimensional shapes, like sculptures. That’s how I create my music, building up layers of instruments, melodies, and rhythms. Some parts of the song can be sharp and pointy, while others are rounded and flat. That combination is what becomes the complete song.”

Bellman | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

Nelly Moar – Love’s Law

“Heartbreak is complicated, and you constantly alternate between conflicting emotions such as frustration and optimism, when the sadness lies in the words, but the music still carries hope, a balance is created, where the heavy stuff finds space without becoming all-consuming.”

Nelly Moar

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MIIA – I Can Tell a Lie

Acclaimed Norwegian songstress MIIA opens up to listeners with her enchanting new single, ‘I Can Tell a Lie’.

Sonically, the track incorporates melancholic pop tones with elements of Norwegian folk, while the lyrics tell of the sorrow and bitterness that happens when someone we love lets us go.

It’s a song that feels emotional and raw and is sure to resonate with anyone who’s ever struggled with the guilt of being the one who breaks a relationship.

“It tells the story of loving someone deeply while knowing you’re the one who broke it. The lyrics are about self-sabotage, regret, and holding onto beauty even after love is lost.”

MIIA’s music has now been streamed more than 350 million times on Spotify alone – which is no mean feat. Her work has also been featured on Billboard and landed placements on playlists like New Music Friday.

MIIA

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New Music: Lemi

Photo / Bjørk Ellingsbø

One of the most impressive newcomers to come across our radars from Scandinavia recently has been Lemi.

Signed to the powerhouse that is Made (who are already well known for their work with AURORA and Sigrid), this artist creates bold, punchy pop songs that are not shy of delivering drama, as is the case with her new single, ‘Get Him Gone’.

The track was created alongside Whammyboy and Robert Gillies and encapsulates the rawness that comes with being a teenager trying to cope with love’s trials and tribulations. Speaking on the track, Lemi explains:

“I wrote it for me, but even more for everyone else who can relate. It’s not about what I’ve been through, but about something so many people experience. I get really angry, and then I have to write about it.”

Lemi

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Sigrid – Two Years

Photo / Charlotte Alex

“‘Why did you let me go, when you want to be my woman?’ It was trying to see the situation from another person’s point of view, and in that way I could also reflect on my own perspective.”

Sigrid

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New Music: DeepFaith

TRACK OF THE WEEK

We’re going to be really honest with you… The first few seconds of this song didn’t connect with us at all.

But we also couldn’t stop listening… and well… we found ourselves completely mesmerised by the end, to the point where this is now our Track of the Week.

‘Y&I’ by DeepFaith (aka Byron Spencer and Danial Stricker) is just an utter delight to experience. Its surreal and experimental production, courtesy of Matias Téllez, bounces between genres as diverse as electronica, pop, synth – and even choral – all the while sounding like a cohesive piece of work.

Alongside the release of the song also comes a music video, which was created by DeepFaith’s closest friends, chosen acquaintances and family:

‘It’s community. It’s the world. It’s finding your people even when things feel or are shit in the church of the night.”

DeepFaith

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Mathea-Mari – Tired of Fixing A Broken Heart

Norwegian pop artist Mathea-Mari has released a new single this week, called ‘Tired of Fixing A Broken Heart’.

As the title suggests, this is a melancholic pop song with sincere lyrics that was created alongside a stellar team of musicians – Christian Burns, Matt Alvers, and producer Chris Gill.

Mathea-Mari already has an accomplished career within the Scandinavian music scene. Now aged 24 years old, this singer and songwriter first launched her career on Norway’s Got Talent at age 12. She also won the country’s Melodi Grand Prix Junior 2014, which is no mean feat!

Mathea-Mari

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New Music: Rinjin

Photo / Lauritz Wik Øye

Rinjin is an exciting electronic project from Norway, consisting of musicians Christoffer “Chris Le Pop” and Frøy.

The duo has just released a charming disco-pop bop called ‘Just us’, which we’re quite sure you’ll fall in love with.

Sonically, the production serves as a reflection of Rinjin’s admiration for genre-bending Scandinavian outfits like Røyksopp, Todd Terje and Annie. Lyrically, the song encapsulates the feeling of wanting to be loved and our desires to escape our troubles.

With such a strong debut under their belts, it’s likely that Rinjin will garner a lot of fans very quickly!

Rinjin

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Fig Tape – Holy Ponies

One of our favourite Norwegian artists of late has been Fig Tape, who returns today with a new single called ‘Holy Ponies’.

As we’ve come to expect from this talent, the song presents listeners with a euphoric and polished fusion of techno and alternative pop. This is a sound that makes you crave for a night out in a sweaty underground club, and we’re living for it.

Living in Berlin heavily inspired me musically. I made a lot of up-tempo, techno-inspired music when living there. It was a good feeling to go back last year and visit your old hometown. I had such a great time there, and it was so nice to meet up with BAUGRUPPE90 and do the session we did when we made ‘Holy Ponies’.

In a nod to his ever-growing popularity, Fig Tape’s music was recently featured on the iconic Netflix series ‘Young Royals’. Fans can expect more singles to be released in the coming months.

Fig Tape

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Aleks Grey – Sunset Cigarette

Photo / Are Næsset

One of our favourite songs of the week comes courtesy of Norwegian alt-pop artist Aleks Grey.

New single ‘Sunset Cigarette’ looks at those moments in life that remind us previous events and people.

In the case of this song, the scent of a cigarette burning on a summer’s day brings back memories of a cherished person for the musician.

It’s not always easy with relations and relationships, whether it’s a partner, friend or family. But through the highs and lows, love will always be a big part of those nostalgic feelings.

The track continues to prove that Grey is one of Norway’s most interesting alternative talents. His likeable style of sound has not only amassed a significant number of streams online, but the artist has also found support from the likes of Jammerzine and BBC Merseyside.

Aleks Grey

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New Music: Gamborg

Photo / Simen Bjerkeli

Track of the week. Gamborg is a rising Norwegian artist who looks certain to hit the Nordic mainstream in 2024.

New single ‘Burdens’ is a beautifully intense piece of music that not only features refreshingly raw lyricism, but also showcases an epic pop-rock production.

“This world feels so overwhelming. Feeling anxious like all the time. Wait, is it self-indulgent for me to talk about my problems when people obviously suffer much worse problems than I do? You know what, I’ll just carry on and not tell anyone. That usually makes things a lot better”

Gamborg’s music has amassed close to 100k Spotify streams, from just 4 songs. Be sure to keep this kid on your radars!

Gamborg

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New Music: Kitty Mack

Track of the week. Kitty Mack is a rising Norwegian artist who recently caught our attention with her latest single, ‘Movies’.

Contrasting with its charming jazz-pop production, the song’s lyrics tell of a personal circumstance that the artist experienced while she was in a toxic relationship that affected her self-worth.

The sound feels nostalgic yet modern, and is sure to connect with many listeners. It’s been a while since we’ve been this excited about a Scandinavian talent, and we can’t wait to hear what comes next!

Kitty Mack

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New Music: Mörmaid

It’s been a hot minute since we featured top-rate Scandinavian electronica, but that dry spell is well and truly over with the introduction of Norwegian artist Mörmaid.

‘Manicfest’ is a banger and an anthem in equal measures. This is a bop that reminds you the weekend is just around the corner, and deserves to be on everyone’s playlists!

“‘Manicfest’ is a reflection piece on the increasing trend of manifesting, and how I feel like it’s mostly a trend amongst people who already have a lot but still want more. It’s not really a criticism of the practice, but rather a question mark. The song also touches on the themes of overconsumption and the ambition to always climb higher, never being fully content even when you reach your goals.”

Alongside her own compositions, Mörmaid has also worked with the likes of Ben Alexander, Tobi Duchampe, Jenny Alien and Brand New Moon. We think this is one Scandi talent whose momentum will continue to grow over the coming months… one to watch!

Mörmaid

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New Music: Fig Tape

Track of the week. At the forefront of emerging Norwegian electronic talent is Oslo-based Fig Tape, who has just released an impressive new single called ‘Boundaries’.

While the track presents listeners with an experimental and future-forward style of production, it also maintains a playful pop sensibility that makes it feel relatable and fun to experience.

With more than 425k career streams and recognition from national heavyweights like Norway’s P3 Radio, it’s looking likely that Fig Tape will become one of Scandinavia’s newest musical exports.

Fig Tape

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Vorsen – Looking Back

Acclaimed indie-pop talent Vorsen (aka Oliver Halvorsen) returns with one of the catchiest songs of the summer.

‘Looking Back’ finds the British-Norwegian musician and producer casually reminiscing over his past relationships – and in doing so, reminds us that with every failed romance comes an opportunity for personal growth.

“‘Looking Back’ was written from an impartial viewpoint of reflecting upon old love. Everyone has at some point romanticised past relationships and wondered how things would be in the present given the amount you have both evolved over the years. However, it’s a paradoxical way of thinking because you wouldn’t be who you are now without the learning and change (bad or good) that undergoes during those relationships, which is a beautiful thing in its own right. So ultimately, that way of thinking is in some ways flawed and that’s a large part of what this song is about – recognising and accepting things that have happened in the past rather than tirelessly picking them apart and countless ‘what ifs’”.

Impressively, the song was written, performed and produced buy Vorsen himself in East London. Fans can look forward to an upcoming EP, which is scheduled for release on the 20th October.

Vorsen will also join Christof van der Ven on tour across Europe later this year – more details can be found here.

Vorsen

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Orions Belte – When You’re Gone I’ll Be Gone (feat. Louien)

Orions Belte have well and truly marked themselves as Norway’s favourite indie-rock trio, and today’s collaboration with emerging Scandi starlet Louien will only further boost their popularity.

Interestingly, ‘When You’re Gone I’ll Be Gone’ portrays a spectrum of emotions. On the one hand, the song feels fragile, melancholic and sombre, while on the other it displays subtle hints of innocence and playfulness.

Orions Belte‘s popularity has risen sharply since their 2019 cover of Ghostface Killah’s iconic ‘Cherchez La Ghost’ (listen here). Fans can look forward to the band’s next album, ‘Women’, which is scheduled for release on the 6th October.

Orions Belte | Louien

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