Nordic Music - New Music

New Music: Maggie

Track of the week. As a nation rich in pop heritage, Norwegian musical talent has come to be known as some of the best in the world.

Newcomer Maggie continues with this tradition, and as you press play to ‘Paralyzed’ you’ll quickly understand why this artist is so impressive.

Written, performed and produced in its entirety by Maggie, this anthemic release is an exceptionally strong piece of music that feels powerfully moving – and serves as a perfect example of Scandinavian alt-pop at its very finest.

“It’s about a bad trip. Although you can interpret it in different ways. It could be about when you have an expectation about something and it doesn’t work out for you.”

Maggie

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Daniel Schulz – Make It

Danish pop sensation Daniel Schulz marks his return today with uplifting new single ‘Make It’.

Lifted from Schulz’s upcoming debut album, the song serves as a perfect anthem for those of us who need some encouragement to overcome our obstacles in life.

“‘Make It’ was written for one of my best friends who needed it but eventually, it spoke to me too and what I’ve been going through for the past five years. Here it is for the World to hear it – and I hope it will be a melody of optimism and light to everyone listening.”

Since the release of his huge 2017 hit single ‘Turn Back Time’, 24-year old Schulz has carved a name for himself as one of Denmark’s most promising pop prospects, and currently commands over 715k monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

Daniel Schulz

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Lleoh – Evil

We are launching in to the weekend with a stellar new release from Denmark by promising pop artist Lleoh.

Serving as an anthem for self-empowerment, ‘Evil’ was inspired by the inner struggles that we face after our hearts have been broken – and we try to resist the urge to become vengeful and bitter.

The track’s sublime fusion of dark electronic pop and alternative R&B was created alongside Jonathan Elkær (from acclaimed Danish outfit Phlake), and is taken from Lleoh’s forthcoming ‘Waves and Rocks’ EP (out soon).

Lleoh

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Raindear – Rush

Scandinavian musician Raindear returns today with her bold new single, ‘Rush’. No stranger to these Alfitude pages, this talent has consistently proven herself to be one of Sweden’s most interesting pop artists from recent years.

With a beautifully intense fusion of electronica and dream-pop, the song presents listeners with an atmospheric soundscape that is truly quite captivating to experience.

Serving as a taster to Raindear’s forthcoming album, the track’s lyrics were inspired by the hardships and sacrifices that creatives have to endure – in order for them to continue with their artistry.

Raindear

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New Music: Sötnos

As you may know, Scandinavians take their summer vacations very seriously. Around this time every year, the volume of new releases from the region dips, which is why we haven’t been featuring much Scandi music lately.

But that’s all about to change today, with the release of ‘Pancakes’ by Swedish newcomers Sötnos.

Thanks to it’s charming and playful blend of garage pop, indie and rock, the track serves as an immediate mood-booster and a perfect anthem for the weekend ahead.

Sötnos consists of Stockholm-based bandmates Albin Eidhagen and Tore Bojsten, who proudly self-produce all their work. Fans can look forward to the duo’s forthcoming ‘Care About Nothing’ debut album, which is released in September.

Sötnos

🎵 Ones To Watch Playlist | Scandinavia Sound Playlist

* And for those of you wondering, Sötnos roughly translates to ‘cutie pie’, and is pronounced sœ:t.n:ous!

Sofia Karlberg – Just For You

Swedish-Moroccan starlet Sofia Karlberg is no stranger to these pages, having first been featured back in 2016.

Since that time, Karlberg’s momentum has exploded – with the artist garnering over 1.5 billion catalogue streams, 1.2 million monthly Spotify listeners and a significant following across social media.

Today marks the release of Karlberg’s ‘Hold My Love’ EP (out now), alongside melodic new track ‘Just For You’. A masterclass in Scandi music, the song infuses subtle hints of melancholy into a thoughtfully-constructed pop production, and sets the tone for the EP.

“The journey of this EP started when I was contemplating what to do next, not only musically but in general with my life. The pandemic forced a lot of us to dig deep, ask ourselves questions we might not want to know the answers to and to revalue our purposes. I realised I needed to stand on new grounds so I decided to move to Berlin from my hometown Stockholm. I wanted to invite all the different parts of my new city into this EP, the darkness, the fun, the love but mainly the diversity. It’s such a weird and unique city with plenty room for everyone to be themselves in and I hope that this collection of songs can give you just that feeling, that there’s something for everyone, and that you’re all welcome into my world.”

Sofia Karlberg

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New Music: Vorsen

We begin the weekend with a beautifully dreamy slice of electronic pop, courtesy of London-based artist Vorsen.

Created in the aftermath of a broken relationship, melodic new single ‘Real Life’ features Vorsen’s emotive vocals gliding over a production that feels melancholic yet full of interesting sonic textures.

The song is lifted from Vorsen’s forthcoming EP of the same name, which is out this year. In the meantime, fans can enjoy Vorsen’s work as part of indie-folk outfit NIGHT FLIGHT, who play London’s Jazz Cafe this September.

Vorsen

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New Music: Ira Nor

Norwegian talent looks set to take over the pop world once again – this time with the help of Oslo newcomer Ira Nor.

Freshly signed to noted record label 777 Music (home of boy pablo and Fur), Nor constructs a style of experimental electronic pop that pushes the boundaries of the genre, yet does so in a tastefully balanced way that makes her music relatable to most listeners.

Lifted from Nor’s upcoming ‘Swim Ira‘ EP (out 26th August), new single ‘doomed’ was written alongside Øyvind Glåmen, and is inspired by Nor’s mantra of trying to find the beauty from painful experiences.

“It’s about moving past a relationship that always was doomed; getting the power over yourself back, and letting go of an unhealthy relationship.”

Ira Nor

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New Music: HAVET

Track of the week. Emerging from Bavaria are German-Swedish sisters Josy and Mimi, collectively known as HAVET.

Inspired by the likes of Billie Eilish, Tyler, the Creator and Bruno Major, this promising teen duo create songs that incorporate a multitude of genres together – creating songs that carry mainstream appeal while still maintaining a strong sense of individuality.

New single ‘Toxic’ fuses 90’s inspired indie-rock with current pop sounds, treating listeners to a sonic experience that feels both nostalgic and future-forward in equal measures.

“‘Toxic’ is about getting free from a toxic relationship and finally realising all the ways the other person treated you wrong.”

Listeners can look forward to HAVET’s forthcoming debut EP, entitled ‘Muma’s Lullaby’ which is out on 11th August 2022.

HAVET

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Betty Bass – Self First

Hailing from Denmark is emerging singer and songwriter Betty Bass, who’s distinctive vocals have graced various releases since her initial debut in 2019.

Through a polished mix of R&B, pop and soul, Bass creates songs that carry mainstream appeal while still maintaining powerfully emotive themes.

Anthemic new single ‘Self First’ encourages listeners to be honest with themselves, and to let go of all those situations that hold us back or make us unhappy.

Betty Bass

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VALDIS – story for you

Icelandic singer-songwriter VALDIS returns with a beautifully emotive and melodic piece of pop through her new single ‘story for you’.

Stripped-back and minimal in tone, this classic love song was written by Isa Tengblad and Rasmus Ladefoged Lampon.

With features on notable Scandinavian tastemaker sites like Scandipop and POPMUZIK, VALDIS is marking herself as one of the most promising new pop starlets to emerge from Iceland in recent years.

VALDIS

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New Music: JonathanBo

It wouldn’t be a normal week for us here at Alfitude if we didn’t feature some stellar Scandinavian talent, and this time it’s the turn of Swedish artist JonathanBo.

Tastefully experimental in character, songs like new single ‘Hit That Low’ delicately fuse a multitude of genres that include alternative R&B, jazz, indie and lo-fi pop.

This is a sound that feels unique and conceptual in its production, yet still maintains a human and soulful and essence at its core.

“This song is about learning to realise when to part from something. From a relationship or a piece of yourself. It can be just as hard. But sometimes the hardest decisions in life are the most crucial.”

JonathanBo

🎵 Discover more music on the Ones To Watch + Scandinavia Sound playlists

Delara – People Come And Go

Acclaimed Norwegian singer and songwriter Delara returns with a charming slice of summery pop through new single ‘People Come And Go’.

Perfectly balancing elements of nostalgic soul with R&B and pop, the song highlights the importance of choosing your true friends wisely.

Impressively, Delara has accumulated well over 50 million career streams on Spotify, and currently commands close to 400k monthly listeners on the platform.

Delara

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bby ivy – Losing Sleep

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.

bby ivy

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New Music: Disco Arcade

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.

Disco Arcade

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LOUUD – Find An Island

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.

LOUUD

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NIGHTMÅNE – REVIVE

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!

NIGHTMÅNE

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Boy In Space – A**hole

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.

Boy In Space | Follow the Scandinavia Sound Playlist

New Music: Daniella Binyamin

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.

Daniella Binyamin

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New Music: Thaddeus

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.

Thaddeus

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