Category: Nordic Music

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

Elliot – hot but depressive

Photo / Charlee Mouna

“It comes from self-sabotaging good intentions – from distancing yourself from love before it gets too close, because you don’t want to hurt others with your own emotional complexity. Instead of showing all the beautiful things I carry inside, I end up showing my destructive sides – the person who never feels good enough – and then I’d rather destroy it before ending up in yet another superficial or staged relationship. ‘hot but depressive’ is, in many ways, a song about the fear of loneliness.”

Elliot | Nordic Sound Playlist

Retro Kid – Think I Know

Danish-based British artist Retro Kid (aka Jake Juba) starts our weekend with his delightful new single, ‘Think I Know’.

The song serves as a taster to the producer’s forthcoming EP and is inspired by Juba’s life as a father to a young son, who, at the age of three, is confident enough to know what he wants but still finds ways to make life ‘interesting’ for his dad.

“I think I know what I want… dry socks (and more than six hours of sleep).”

As Retro Kid, Juba has won acclaim for his distinctive approach to electronic music from outlets as prominent as Amazing Radio, BBC Introducing, Indie Shuffle, and EARMILK.

Retro Kid | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

Sebastian Rydgren – how i wanna die

Nordic artist Sebastian Rydgren first came to mainstream prominence in 2022 after a series of performances on Swedish Idol, culminating in an impressive fourth place at the finals.

Since then, he’s grown to become one of his nation’s most interesting pop talents, with his new single, ‘how i wanna die’, standing out to us in particular.

Alongside its polished production (courtesy of Simon Karlsson), this song has a familiarity with its lyrics, which are inspired by the best days of our lives. Sometimes, we lose sight of the good things that life has to offer – and this track reminds us that the potential for joy is always out there.

“The song is about being in a phase of life where everything feels perfect. There’s nothing more you wish for or want to achieve. The track is about feeling content with yourself, your relationships, and the life you’re living. It captures a moment and a feeling you wish you could stay in forever. If the worst were to happen, at least you would die happy – ‘how I wanna die’.”

To date, Rydgren has amassed more than a million career streams on Spotify alone. A new EP is on the way, but in the meantime you can check out more of the artist’s work right here.

Sebastian Rydgren | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

New Music: Natalie Reigo

Photo / Kitty Lingmerth Kopia

Natalie Reigo is a hugely promising newcomer from Sweden, who has already won us over with her charming style of R&B-pop.

‘Til The Moment’s Gone’ is Natalie’s anthemic new single and is inspired by the pressures of not missing out on life… and experiencing that all-too-familiar FOMO feeling.

“When I wrote it, it helped me through the feeling of FOMO and feeling like I should be somewhere else just because other people are!”

Natalie’s vocals are beautifully expressive and soulful, while the production is polished and sleek. Still only 19-years old and already amassing more than 1.5 million career streams on Spotify, it’s clear that this is a Nordic talent to keep an eye on.

Natalie Reigo | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

RIVER – Infected mind

Photo / John Scarisbrick Kopia

Stockholm-based starlet RIVER returns today with a bold new release titled ‘Infected mind’, and it’s really quite something.

Alongside its refreshingly raw production, which blends dreamy pop with shoegaze, the song’s introspective and honest lyrics are likely to resonate with us all and inspire us to look at our younger selves in a different light.

“‘Infected mind’ is my attempt to recognize and engage in a dialogue with my younger, deceived self. It’s a passage between past and present, where forgiveness and separation can finally take place, simply by bearing witness to and understanding the harm I inflicted on myself out of ignorance. It reflects not only on the trauma of the past but also on the painful process of admitting how I’ve been deceiving myself – and ultimately surrendering to that deception in order to heal.”

Over the space of only a couple of years, RIVER has grown to become one of Sweden’s most promising indie prospects; her debut EP, ‘STILL IN LOVE’, has been streamed more than 1m times on Spotify alone so far.

RIVER | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

Calby – Deeper Love

Photo / Petra Kleis

If you love soul and see yourself as a hopeless romantic, then you’ll most likely appreciate Calby’s latest offering, ‘Deeper Love’.

Serving as a taster to the artist’s next album, this track showcases a charming blend of soul, pop, and R&B and was written purely as an ode to relationships. It’s a simple message, but one that is relatable to anyone who has ever been in love.

“‘Deeper Love’ is a song I wrote for the love of my life. It’s my tribute to everything we share. It’s about what we’ve been through together – how I can see myself in her scars, and how she carries them more gracefully than I ever could. It’s a declaration of love – honest, unfiltered, and without reservation.”

Calby is an acclaimed and well-established Danish singer-songwriter based in Copenhagen, who has already released two albums to date – 2021’s ‘Burnout’ and 2023’s ‘Inner Critic’s Choice Awards’. You can listen to both records here.

Calby | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

New Music: muuk

Photo / Antonia Steiner

We’ve got a new and exciting Danish musical project to share with you today, going by the name of muuk – the solo project of artist Ines Roervig Lewkovitch.

‘i’m no soldier’ is muuk’s debut single. It presents listeners with a thoughtfully constructed alt-pop production that builds intensity as the song evolves, while also showcasing Lewkovitch’s captivating vocals.

“‘i’m no soldier’ relates to loneliness creeping in on life and the realization and acceptance of needing support from your loved ones.”

The track was created alongside close friend Andreas Jaaks, who also served as the producer.

“‘i’m no soldier’ went very smoothly at first, until we suddenly got stuck to a point where we almost left it in drawer. I think that’s kind of funny, because that sums up the song pretty well. Feeling stuck in life, getting real low, and losing every hope of finding joy.”

Despite this still being muuk’s first release, we’re very excited to see how the project evolves over the coming year.

muuk | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

New Music: ALBA

TRACK OF THE WEEK

ALBA is the new musical project from Stockholm-based singer and songwriter Amanda Kongshaug.

Inspired by genres as diverse as electronica, alternative pop and indie, this musician crafts productions that feel unique in character while still maintaining a sense of sonic familiarity.

‘Runrunrunrun’ is a taster to the artist’s upcoming debut album and presents listeners with a melodic fusion of downtempo and dreamy pop. Speaking on the song’s lyrics, ALBA explains:

“The song is reflecting on commitment in relationships and the desire to feel free yet struggling with the guilt to not live up to expectations. It’s reflecting on the often times hard part of dating where people want to make sense out of things that are still very new and long before it’s yet ready to be put into a box. It’s written as a self reflective conversation to the other person admitting one’s own flaws while also asking for understanding that this might just be for the better.”

Aside from her solo work, Kongshaug has also written songs for the likes of Zara Larsson, Afrojack, Icona Pop andRudimental, so we’re very excited to see how 2026 shapes up for her ALBA project!

ALBA

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Nathav – Over You

Danish artist Nathav has just unveiled one of the sweetest songs of the week, called ‘Over You’.

Blending dreamy pop with jazz and mellow synth tones, this track really stands out for its originality. It’s emotional and heartfelt while also being experimental and slightly avant-garde.

Lyrically, this is a beautifully written heartbreak song that offers comfort to anyone who’s healing from a ruined romance.

“The song is dedicated to all the brave hearts who try to hold it together when heartache has shattered them into pieces.”

Nathav is already an established fixture within the Danish music scene, performing as a member of the bands Lovebites, Blake, and Umatic across the years. If you’re now a fan, then be sure to check out her positively received 2024 EP ‘Moon River’ here.

Nathav

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Elín Hall – As The World Falls Down

Photo / Tjörvi Jónsson

‘“As the World Falls Down” has always meant so much to me. I first discovered David Bowie when I was seven, instantly drawn to the song’s hauntingly beautiful melody. In my teens, I fell in love with the song over again for its poetic meditation on love’s fragility, heartbreak and courage to hope again. Now in my twenties I feel the lyrics began to take on an even deeper meaning as a poignant reflection of our times.

I feel it captures the collective experience of uncertainty, pain and loss in a world that often feels fragile and unstable. Whether it’s the upheaval caused by political unrest, the ongoing climate crisis, or the personal and societal toll of the pandemic, many of us find ourselves navigating a landscape marked by instability and change. To me this song offers a powerful reminder of the enduring human capacity for hope, love, and solidarity. It speaks to the beauty found in connection, the simple, profound act of standing by one another when everything else seems to be falling apart. The promise of being there for each other “as the world falls down”’.

Elín Hall

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Elinborg – Blood

Photo / Sigríður Ella Frímannsdóttir

Today’s release of ‘Blood’ by Faroese artist Elinborg has really blown us away. It’s been a minute since we’ve come across something this flawless from the Nordic region.

It’s electronic pop at its most elevated. The song is dark, intense, and cinematic and is a reworking of an original version by the artist called ‘Blóð’, now with English lyrics. Elinborg explains:

“I chose to release an English version of my song ‘Blood’ not only because it holds a very special place in my heart, but also because I wanted to explore how my sound might change when I switch languages. I’ve always been intrigued by different languages, and even though Faroese has a special place in my heart—and I’ll absolutely continue writing in it—I think it’s important to grow and evolve as an artist. That’s why I wanted to try releasing English versions as well: to reach a more international audience, but also to add new colors to my artistic world.”

If you love this sound as much as we do, then make sure you explore the artist’s latest album, ‘Í Ævir’, over on Spotify.

Elinborg

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Asbjørn – show u the future

Danish artist Asbjørn kicks off the week with a nostalgic bop that could have very easily fit into a playlist from a London radio station in the 90s.

‘show u the future’ is a collaboration with La Boum Fatale and blends a classic UK garage sound with electronic pop in a way that feels retro but also current. It’s playful and optimistic and harks back to a time when club culture was at its peak.

“‘show u the future’ rewinds to a time of skipping snare rolls, shuffling 2‑step grooves, and late‑night bassline pressure. This one is for the ravers, the lovers, the dreamers in the corner, dancing till sunlight creeps through the blinds.”

The song serves as a taster to Asbjørn’s upcoming project, ‘HAUSPARTY’, an EP inspired by club music and the nightlife culture, and its unique way of building communities out of music lovers.

Asbjørn

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New Music: OK Alva

This weekend’s alt-pop banger comes courtesy of Sweden-based newcomer OK Alva and her brilliant new single, ‘Yet’.

Starting minimal, the production evolves with intensity to mirror the song’s heart-wrenching lyrics that tell of the moments when we struggle with emotional closure. It’s never easy to let go of someone you love, and this track perfectly encapsulates those emotions.

“‘Yet’ is about leaving everything unsaid, hoping that means it isn’t really over. Trying to move on with one foot in the door seems easier but us humans were never made like that, we need closure. This song almost wrote itself during a time when I was experiencing a situation like that. Kind of proves my point, trying to not think of something, someone, ultimately leads to thinking about them even more.”

We still don’t know much about this promising artist, but if their upcoming releases are as finessed as ‘Yet’, then we’ll have a new Scandi favourite to fall in love with!

OK Alva

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New Music: Longing Louisa

Photo / Anu Leppäharju

Longing Louisa is a new musical project created by Finnish artist Reetta Hotti. ‘Hatchet’ only came across our radars a few days ago, but we were instantly captivated by its ethereal tones. It delivers an indie production that is intriguing and distinctive, yet easy to listen to. On the song, Hotti says:

“The production is quite fun and light, but actually the lyrics are far from fun. There’s a big contrast between the two, and for me that’s ‘The Thing’ with this song. Even though the title is Hatchet, the song serves also as an apology. Especially the end part breaks my heart a bit every time I listen to it.”

The track is taken from Hotti’s new ‘Waterphile’ EP, which is out today. The collection of songs was created by the musician as an ‘ode to water’ and, as you’d expect, is full of organic, soft sounds that draw you into a soundscape that reminds you of nature.

“I’ve always been prone to the feeling of longing. I think I’ve spent most of my life living someplace else than the present. I’ve longed for the past, the future or an alternative reality. It’s probably a way to escape anything uneasy happening in real life. Melancholic feeling, or the Japanese idiom ‘mono no aware’ to be more precise, is what Longing Louisa is about. The music has all the shades of blue, there’s fog, blurriness, some city lights, hollow and dull-like sounds, but also slowly growing intensity, small changes that every now and then lead to a massive gathering of clouds.”

Longing Louisa

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Augustine – Fumbling

Photo / Rassmus Bjornson

We’ve featured Nordic musician and producer Augustine so many times on this site, and we still can’t get enough.

Today this hugely loved Swedish talent returns, after quite some time, with a song that has definitely been worth the wait. ‘Fumbling’ is a thoughtfully crafted indie pop song that was inspired by the desire to seek the things in life that allow us to grow and evolve.

The track serves as a preview for Augustine’s upcoming EP, which is out soon. In the meantime, you can join the other 218k listeners who enjoy this artist’s music on Spotify here.

Augustine

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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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RIVER – I AM CANCER

Photo / John Scarisbrick Kopia

Swedish songstress RIVER has just unveiled a powerful new single that showcases some of the finest alt-pop currently emerging from the Scandinavian nation.

‘I AM CANCER’ is lyrically raw and is complemented by a production that is full of interesting sonic textures. This song blends fuzzy indie rock with nostalgic pop in a way that is really quite unique, and in doing so, evokes a multitude of emotions for the listener.

“‘I AM CANCER’ reflects an infected mind trying to love and receive love through a wall of defence protecting it from vulnerability — and therefore love itself. It communicates frustration around the inability to cure or hide an ugly mind stuck in false self-beliefs, believing it’s unworthy of true love.”

RIVER cites her inspirations as Portishead, FKA twigs and Prince, and you can hear this come through on her songs. If you’re now a fan, then be sure to check out her other songs here.

RIVER

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