Norwegian social media sensation bby ivy returns with another finessed pop release through new single ‘Losing Sleep’.
Alongside the track comes its superb video, which has already picked up considerable critical acclaim – including nominations for several music video festivals and awards across the world.
Commanding over 350k followers on Instagram alone and close to 50k monthly listeners on Spotify, this rising Scandinavian talent looks set to take on her biggest year yet.
Contrary to their name, Disco Arcade create powerful and anthemic sounds that consist of indie, electronic pop and synth tones.
Inspired by the 80’s, this outfit craft songs which feel tastefully nostalgic while still maintaining a current edge.
New single ‘Paint You Wings’ reminds listeners of those sporadic moments when you cross paths with someone on a night out and feel an overwhelming sense of connection with.
Swedish songwriter and artist LOUUD unveils her latest single today, and it’s just as engaging as one would expect from Scandinavian pop.
‘Find An Island’ addresses those highly relatable feelings we all get – when we wish we could just run away and leave all our worries behind.
”I wrote ‘’Find An Island’ last year together with Jonas Peker and Robin Gustafsson. It’s a song about self-sabotaging and wanting to escape reality instead of facing my problems and hanging out with seahorses instead of people… ‘cause people can really suck sometimes.”
To date, this Stockholm-based talent has garnered praise from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, Ja Ja Ja and Radio P3, while her songs have been featured on flagship Spotify and Apple Music playlists.
Just in time for the weekend, American-Norwegian duo NIGHTMÅNE release a bold slice of dark synth and disco-pop through new single ‘REVIVE’.
Confidently risqué, raw and powerful in tone, the song perfectly balances feelings of intensity with a beat that is irresistibly memorable.
NIGHTMÅNE create their work through a mix of inspirations – ranging from 80’s synth-pop to 90’s Scandinavian pop, as well as mainstream hits from the US Top 40.
As industry professionals, both members of the group have each achieved songwriting and production credits for artists as notable as Cher to Ace of Base and TVXQ!
Swedish artist Boy In Space unveils one of the summer anthems of the year through the release of new single ‘A**hole’.
Lifted from his forthcoming ‘BACKYARD’ EP, the song treats fans to a sound that is reminiscent of Blink 182 and The 1975 – thanks to its unique mix of bedroom pop and punk.
“While the frontyard is what you’re happy for people to see, the backyard is everything else. It’s what you try to keep hidden. The backyard is where you can see the ugly stuff. ‘A**hole’ is about some of the lowest times in my life, and the behaviour and thoughts that come to you in those periods of time.”
Now commanding well over two million monthly listeners on Spotify, this rising Scandinavian artist has worked alongside the likes of Alan Walker and SHY Martin, and received airplay on BBC Radio 1.
‘BACKYARD’ is out 16th September 2022, while ‘FRONTYARD’ is out now.
Rapidly gaining momentum across Scandinavia is rising artist Daniella Binyamin.
New single ‘Toothpaste Kisses’ showcases this talent’s extraordinary abilities at writing songs that feel gripping and moving, while still maintaining some pop sensibilities.
“The day I wrote ‘Toothpaste Kisses’ I remember feeling everything and nothing all at once. My heart felt like a rollercoaster and my head was a mess. I went to the studio, where me and my co-producer Oskar were supposed to write for another artist. But I just felt, I needed to write something else. Something real. To get all those feelings off my chest. All those feelings turned into the song toothpaste kisses. I think I needed to write that song in order to move on. It’s such a special one to me.”
With a style of music-making that features vivid lyricism over luxurious productions, it may come as no surprise to learn that Binyamin is already an accomplished songwriter, having written for the likes of Lukas Graham and Zara Larsson.
Now Binyamin is set to make her own mark as a solo artist – and the future looks bright.
Today sees the debut release for Danish-American newcomer Thaddeus. With an emotive fusion of indie, synth and pop, this artist has created one of the most impressive releases of the week.
Beautifully melancholic in tone, ‘Do I Wanna Know’ questions whether we should always try to help solve the problems of those we care about, or if it’s better to take a step back and just be there for them.
“How are you? What’s wrong? How can I help? – when our loved one battles with their mental health, we’re supposed to reach out, offer our help, give a f*ck. But what do you do when your efforts aren’t working, if you aren’t really capable of fully understanding the problem and your well-meaning advice risks belittling or misunderstanding the issue?”
The song serves as a taster for an upcoming conceptual EP entitled ‘Reasonable Doubt’, which is out soon.
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).
It’s been a short while, but rising Danish talent Gustaf is back today with his fifth release – and it’s been worth the wait.
‘love me less’ is a beautifully melodic pop power-ballad, infused with essences of synth to offer listeners a sound that feels both classic and current at the same time. Speaking on the song’s inspiration, Gustaf says:
“‘love me less’ is based on a former relationship where I felt that I couldn’t match the other persons feelings and devotion towards me. I felt she was way ahead of me. Whenever we would ‘fool around’ I’d try to be sincere, but I just wasn’t emotionally connected as much as she was. I was basically just hoping that one day she would stop loving me. I felt my heart was so cold and I was too shy and afraid to end it, afraid to be alone.”
Musician, songwriter and producer Gustaf has frequented Alfitude’s pages often since his debut last year, consistently showcasing himself as one of the most promising pop artists to to emerge from Denmark.
One of the most interesting collaborative projects to have emerged from Europe over the last couple of years has been Saint Djuni. With their eccentric and playful take on indie-pop, this outfit has consistently surprised and delighted with their choice of releases.
Uplifting new single ‘Drifter’ is one of those songs that leaves you with a smile you on your face, and reminds us that a positive mindset is something we can all achieve.
“We all seem to have the urge to see and follow what is trending. Yet we don’t stop and think how it would be if you choose to decide to drift away and live your own form of perfection. A song dedicated to the dreamers. The ones that dare not to let negativity cloud their journey.”
Saint Djuni is a musical duo consisting of musicians Rasmus Viberg and Clifford Goilo, who have each achieved notable successes in their own rights with various projects including Bakermat, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Next To Neon.
Track of the week. Now a hugely successful artist all across Scandinavia, Danish starlet (and Alfitude favourite) Jada unveils her latest album ‘Elements‘, alongside new single ‘Don’t Say My Name And Forget It Again’.
The song expertly instills that trademark brand of Scandinavian melancholy over a melodic pop production, giving listeners a sound that feels moving yet empowering.
“When I experience art that really resonates with me, it leaves me feeling more like myself than before. When I come across art where I really feel like people are true to themselves, where I can imagine exactly how they would move or sing, what their soul wants to express, it reminds me of myself. It’s a mirror. I want to be that and offer that freedom of self. I want them to feel strong, cute and sexy.”
The track is just one part of a wider scope of work under the ‘Elements’ record, which took inspiration from Jada’s realisation that, as humans, we consist of multitudinous parts that shouldn’t be boxed into just one singular category.
One of Copenhagen’s finest indie-pop starlets returns with a gorgeously soulful and dreamy release through new single ‘Summer’s Already Gone’.
Inspired by the sadness of the summer season ending, Mercedess wrote the song alongside indie superstar Goss and guitarist Søren Breum, while production came from critically acclaimed artist Vera.
“I wanted to write a song that could represent both the fearlessness of the magical Summer days and the truly blue sadness of the re-occurring love story it actually is when Summer eventually comes to an end. I know it’s a heartbreaking, melancholy feeling but it’s also everything I love about Summer.”
The track is taken from the long awaited debut album, ‘Casa Fantasia’, which is also released today. Speaking on the project, Mercedess says:
“’Casa Fantasia’ is an album about longing for closeness and honesty. These songs are an escape from reality – a place to feel free and be yourself. Writing it, was a personal journey and process to me, that hopefully will make space for creativity, art and emotions for others too.”
Achievements for Mercedess just this year alone include ‘Song of the Week’ on Danish Radio P3, as well as praise from influential tastemakers like COLORS and Ones to Watch.
Scandinavian masters of funk and soul D/troit return today with their latest single… and it’s a showstopper!
‘Heavy’ is taken from the band’s sophomore album of the same name, and delivers a refreshingly raw yet colourful take on the retro-soul genre.
With a flavour of the Western infused into the sound (you’ll experience hints of mariachi and Spanish guitar), the track feels playfully nostalgic, but also epic and cinematic in tone.
The Danish band have had quite the journey since winning ‘Best New Band’ at the Scandinavian Soul Music Awards in 2016, garnering support from the likes of BBC 6 Music, Radio 2, and soul legend Gabe Roth.
Already an established musician in his native home of Denmark, Felix E. is a drummer who has worked alongside Scandinavian pop megastars like Drew Sycamore, Alex Vargas, Coco O, Nik & Jay and Mads Langer.
New single ‘Touch Me’ propels Felix E. into the spotlight, and is a masterclass in fusing the past with current. This is a sound that feels nostalgic and classic, while still delivering an energising and modern twist on indietronica.
“‘Touch Me’ is an ode to sex and love and the woman taking control in bed. It’s about how sex is a consensual act when done right. It’s about giving and receiving in equal measure and doing your absolute best for the person you love.”
One of the catchiest songs of the week comes courtesy of Swedish cross-genre duo Casper The Ghost.
As is typical with their recent run of singles, ‘Cool Kids’ is a polished and well-constructed pop-rock sound that also feels grounded, relatable and genuine in tone.
The track is taken from their freshly-released new EP ‘Holding on for dear life’, of which they say:
“It feels great to release this EP since it really represents what Casper The Ghost has become, and ‘Cool Kids’ is probably the best example. Our sound has developed a lot and we’ve both grown, as artists and people, which we hope will be heard when listening to the EP. Something that hasn’t changed though, is our collaboration and love of creation, that’s been constant since the beginning.”
Just in time for the weekend, Swedish newcomers Almost Orange release an infectious slice of electro-pop with new single ‘Infatuation’.
Retro-infused grooves mix with a funky dance beat, as lyrics tell of those times when there is so much chemistry and love for someone that it spills over – leaving you unable to see any red flags.
After her spectacular performance representing Greece at Eurovision last week (eventually coming in at a respectable eighth position), Greek-Norwegian artist Amanda Tenfjord returns today with her new single ‘Plans’.
“It’s a song about the moment in a relationship when you realise that you actually don’t make plans together anymore. At first you have all these dreams about the future and the things you want to do together; travel to Rome, buy a house together and see your kids grow up etc., and then slowly as love fades away you don’t even plan what to do the next weekend together. And the worst part is seeing the one you love living your previous common dreams together with someone else. It’s a very sad song.”
The track further teases the release of her upcoming debut album, due for release later this year via iconic Oslo label Propeller Recordings.
To date, Tenfjord has released two widely praised EP’s, ‘Miss The Way You Missed Me’ and debut EP ‘First Impression’.
While still only 23-years old, Copenhagen-based DIY-artist Løv Li has already marked himself as one of the most interesting artists to emerge from Denmark in recent years, thanks to his eloquent songwriting and melancholy productions.
“I’ve always had melodies spinning around in my head. These days, I often record them as one of the numerous voice-memos, I’ve got on my phone. They rapidly develop into arrangements for piano, vocals and strings and are completed with all the impulsive, experimenting sounds, I create when I work on the boundless, amazing computer.”
Haunting new single ‘Can’t Let You Go’ presents itself as a beautifully dark piece of pop, yet also feels timeless and classic thanks to its subtle orchestral tones.
The song was inspired by the decay and sudden end to what was seemingly a beautiful and unique relationship.
After two long years, critically acclaimed Norwegian singer songwriter Siv Jakobsen is back with what is likely to be her most vulnerable song to date, entitled ‘Most Of The Time’.
Ethereal and beautiful in style, this melodic and deeply moving song is about wanting – but being unable to forget.
“‘Most of the Time’ is about not being able to forget a particularly difficult relationship from my past. When left undealt with, the memories seemed to heighten in my sleep, in my subconscious, day and night, almost as if I was being haunted. It’s about how our past affects our future, how it can affect our personalities morphing into someone slightly different. Being back in this place again after such a long time was a much greater shock to my system than I would have ever thought it could be, and it forced me to unbox a lot of things I thought I had safely stored away in the back corners of my mind. In the end, it’s about reminding myself that I am feeling better now, most of the time.”
