Danish-Cuban artist KING is back with a new single that showcases Scandinavian music at it’s finest; this is a vital and urgent song that hits hard and leaves a lasting impression.
“On ‘Angel Dust’ I felt like doing something very sensual – as opposed to sexual – in my artistic visual identity. So I just pushed it as one long foreplay with beautiful movements. We could be naked doing this stuff and it would still be sensual and not sexual: that was the mission with this visual.”
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.
There was a time when Sweden was pumping out electro-pop songs on a weekly basis, but lately the nation’s commercial music scene has diverted into other styles. Which is actually pretty great, since it keeps things exciting and fresh – but I do still wish that the occasional banger made it’s way to me still.
But fret not if you’re like me, as you’ll be happy to see that BBY LIZA has served us all with a big track in the form of ‘Champagne’. Press play and put the volume on high!
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.”
Denmark’s Asbjørn has been a pop stable in Scandinavia ever since his debut back in 2012. Consistently pushing the boundaries of the genre, this talent never ceases to surprise me with his releases.
‘Remember My Name’ is the new single, and if you have yet to experience this talent, then you certainly will after pressing play.
“I am generally pretty bad at being sad. And in my music I often contrast sadness with high energy, so my body can dance it out, rather than cry. I wrote ‘Remember My Name’ on top of the beatbox beat, and tapping into my frustration in the chorus felt very empowering at the time. The lyrics have a double meaning to me; ‘you’re gonna remember my name, the boy that got away’ could be sung to an old lover, yes. But it could also be directed towards the people who don’t believe in you.”
A master of many talents, Charlotte Dos Santos is an independent producer, singer, composer and arranger.
After listening to ‘Away From You’, it’s little surprise to learn that this Norwegian Grammy Award nominee has already garnered over 20 million streams, earned recognition from the likes of Fader, Pitchfork, and Pigeons & Planes, and recorded a coveted COLORS session.
“I wanted to write an uplifting track after such a heavy year and especially after really longing for dancing, and being outside with friends and loved ones.”
Icelandic talent Máni Orrason has released one of the strongest pieces of indie-rock to come out of Iceland so far this year. ‘Change the World’ is a rousing and anthemic piece that is both captivating and emotive.
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.”
A massively promising new talent hailing from Sweden, Aida Lee is blending RnB with pop in all the right ways. ’90’s Baby’ is a sleek, finessed and polished vibe that is ready to invade the charts at any moment.
A story familiar to many of us, Danish artist Mattis never knew how to show or tell his feelings as a young man. His new single ‘Enough Of My Love’ marks the turning point in his life when he discovered the importance of being true to to his authentic self; and it’s a brilliantly rousing piece of Scandinavian power pop!
“‘Enough Of My Love’ is a love song that I feel I just now am ready to release. I have had a hard time expressing my feelings through life and lately I have taken some big steps towards becoming more authentic and brave enough to say ‘I love you’ to those I love. And what a perfect timing to release such a song going into the summer and with corona as a hopefully almost finished chapter in Denmark – and the World.”
If you loved the song then be sure to check out Mattis’ beautiful cover of ‘Everywhere‘ by Fleetwood Mac.
A stripped-back yet hugely catchy mix of lo-fi pop and indie from a new Norwegian talent.
One of the most exciting Nordic talents to emerge so far this year, Faunea delivers a fresh approach to electronic pop that feels dark, eclectic and wildly captivating.
“I am an alien, born in a human body. I come from the planet Pluto, but was born in Nakskov”
‘Psycho Love’ was written out of a personal experience where Faunea was into someone so much that she almost chased him around, and includes Elektrik People as a guest feature.
Bomberjak is a Swedish project that has been around since 2015. Hailing from Stockholm, these two friends release music that is constantly evolving in concepts and styles.
‘All The Way Up’ is a dance-pop song that incorporates elements of indie, creating something that feels familiar yet forward-thinking.
Taken from the upcoming sophomore album ‘Unexpected Habits’.
A new Norwegian duo who have blended mellow indie-pop with subtle hip hop tones in the most finessed way you could imagine.
Unbelievably, it’s been three years since the world was last treated to new music from Swedish mega talent Tove Styrke. And listening to ‘Mood Swings’ shows that the wait was worth it. This is a song that explores the complexity of human identity, and looks at her struggles with mental health and self-acceptance.
“‘Mood Swings’ is insane. It’s paying tribute to my best and worst sides. I really hate myself sometimes. But I’m trying really hard not to. These past three years I’ve been through depression, fell hard in love, survived a Swedish music reality TV-show, I got a car, I got stuck with millennial blues, I feel like an adult sometimes, I feel like I did as a child. I feel kinda free.”
Back with only her third release, Danish artist RoseeLu unveils yet another stunner of a track in the shape of ‘Got Me Feeling Like This’.
A song that’s all about how we lose ourselves and our values when we fall in love, this is a sound that delivers a modern and playful take on 90’s indie, creating a whole new style of alternative pop.
One of my favourite new acts to emerge from Scandinavia recently, Isle of You return with another almighty electro-pop banger to inject us all with some extra energy for the weekend ahead.
‘Ears Ringing’ gives off flashes of cinematic late night drives in Tokyo, dance floors in the early 00’s and 80’s future nostalgia.
“A post pandemic anthem about dancing off anxiety and just blasting the music (until your ears start ringing).”
A hugely anthemic and rousing release from Swedish indie-pop outfit I Am Nova.
‘Don’t Wait Up’ is a song that gleams with attitude and determination, talking about taking steps forward and moving away from an unhealthy relationship.
I can’t think of a better way to kick off the weekend than with this sharp blend of soul and RnB-pop from Swedish talent Delphi.
For over a decade, this artist has written her own songs as well as performed back-up vocals and tracks for some of Sweden’s biggest star and film productions.
“A feel good song about summer and celebrating life! Play it getting ready, pre party, at the party, or in your car! Let’s GO! Summer is around the corner!”
Swedish pop starlet ORKID’s new single ‘Sugar Coma’ is as sweet as you’d imagine. This is a flirty, playful piece of electro-pop that will instantly win you over and be a staple to your summer playlists.
“You’re invited to the world of ‘Sugar Coma’ with a cherry on the top for an extra layer of goodness. Adding more would be a sin so I will leave you to enjoy this piece of sweet bliss.”
