An infectiously catchy bop from one of Sweden’s most exciting prospects. Maia Wright has already garnered over 300 million streams just as a songwriter and feature artist, so it really is only a matter of time before this mega-talent establishes a solo name for herself.
One of Denmark’s most successful music talents of late, Jada has already hit more than 30 million streams and won no less than 12 awards since her debut in 2018. Today sees the release of her new single, aptly titled ‘I’m Back’.
This is an epic (almost cinematic) track that carries the theme of trusting yourself, being true to who you are and not caring about what other people may think.
“‘I’m Back’ is about getting through a process. It’s about doubting yourself and losing balance and then finding the way back to yourself again. It’s also about how I relate to judgmental voices both from the outside and from within myself. It’s a song that I’ve been wanting to write for a long time, but it was hard to describe the nuances of both taking things in and getting hit by the words and at the same time shaking them off again and not really caring about what other people think.”
Norway’s invasion of pop in 2021 continues with the release of Hanne Mjøen’s fantastic banger ‘Hell With You’.
This is as premium as electro-pop gets; emotive vocals and pulsating beats set the tone for a song that feels melancholic while also giving off an essence of euphoria at the same time. It’s a sound that Scandinavians have mastered for decades now, and still never fails to blow me away.
Swedish talent Hannah Mel brings a dark, almost haunting approach to electro-pop that is completely engrossing. Subdued yet intense, her sound feels atmospheric and cinematic while still easy to connect with.
“‘Shy or Something’ is about two introverts having a crush on one another. Each too shy to admit it, and the frustration that it brings. I am a very introverted person myself, who easily gets quiet around large groups of new people. With this song, I wanted to play with the difference between being introverted or shy. Even though people might perceive them as the same thing – they feel totally different from within.”
Taken from the upcoming EP, scheduled for release later this autumn.
A sublime piece of glistening electronic pop, with a delicate touch of modern soul fused in for added dose of bliss.
The hugely exciting Danish R&B-pop duo consisting of Siná Mousavian (singer/ songwriter) and David Evers (songwriter/producer) return today with a sleek song that looks at the desire of being with an ex who is being treated badly by her current boyfriend.
‘Still On My Mind’ was created after David came up with a guitar riff that brought up some feelings and memories from Siná:
“When I heard the guitar it took me back to that feeling of wanting this someone back who felt the same but couldn’t escape from her toxic relationship. I used to be exactly that for her, but this time around I was ready to man up.”
I’ve made no secret of the fact that Molly Hammar is one of my favourite Swedish talents from recent years. The winner of last year’s ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ at the coveted Swedish awards Rockbjörnen, she returns with the sensational ‘Friends’ today.
A finessed slice of RnB-pop infused with hints of soul, Hammar delivers a song that looks at a common situation most of us have fallen into:
“‘Friends’ is about not wanting to feel lonely and romanticising a friendship that shouldn’t be any more than that, just because you don’t want to feel alone. Sometimes it is just better to accept people and relationships for what they are and move on.”
Taken from the sophomore EP, ‘God Is lonely Too’ which is out now via Cosmos Music.
A beautiful release from Norwegian chanteuse Vaarin. This is not a song to be taken lightly; it’s a textured and emotional song that takes you on a journey with it’s intense lyricism, sung over a melancholic melody that flows through a luxuriously cinematic soundscape.
Taken from the upcoming project ‘Imaginary Movies’ which will be out in May.
This may be the first you hear of Swedish outfit Isle of You, but they are already making significant headway in their home nation.
Just last year, the duo was nominated for ‘Artist of the Future’ at the hugely prestigious P3 Guld Awards last year, after their single ‘Hold Tight’ had the honour of being the most played song on Swedish radio station P3 in 2020.
And the moment you press play on ‘Fallback’ you’ll understand why they get so much love. Their style of music brings a new take on pop while still maintaining a sense of nostalgia that is totally mesmerising.
“This one goes out to the hopeless romantics who in a time of lockdown and isolation didn’t let fear and doubt get in the way of love.”
Icelandic singer-songwriter Breazy Daze (aka Andri Jónsson) is back today with a beautifully melancholic blend of indie and lo-fi pop in the form of ‘Playboy’.
While on the surface the sound feels fun and light-hearted, the song has a deeper undertone that looks at the positives and negatives of letting go.
“In its lyrics, an erratic but romantic-at-heart character tries to focus on the journey rather than the destination; but inevitably faces complications and can never fully forget the consequences of his lifestyle.”
Norway continues to be a hotbed for European talent this year. Emerging from the west coast of the beautiful Nordic nation, Benedikt are a nine-piece outfit who label themselves as an ‘atmospheric indie orchestra’.
The sound is beautifully captivating, and encapsulates a multitude of emotions in a subtle and considered way. On their new single ‘In the Mirror’, they say:
“The lyrics are about a close friend of the band who got severely injured after a drowning accident. Wrapped in fast-paced drums and dark, atmospheric orchestration, it explores hazy, adolescent memories and the joys and struggles of growing up together.”
Taken from the sophomore album ‘Balcony Dream’ which is out now on Koke Plate.
Hugely exciting pop from 18-year old Norwegian talent Morgi. This is such an impressive debut from someone so young; stripped and minimal yet filled with punchy emotive tones and captivating vocals.
Track of the week. A stunning fusion of cinematic dark pop and electronica that grows in intensity the longer you listen.
A truly sensational piece of music from British-Norwegian talent Emilie Adams, ‘Play God’ could well be one of the finest songs you’ll experience all week.
“My music comes from a dark place, but the creative process is a positive one.”
Danish talent Mattias Kolstrup (aka Liberty) is already widely known in his native homeland as the lead singer of the electro-rock group Dúné. Now he’s branching out with his own solo music, and it’s wonderful fusion of cosmic indie pop and soft psychedelic rock.
”I was pondering a relationship going to shit. So I went all the way to the Kilimanjaro Mountain in Tanzania – I had to get as far away and as close to the stars as possible. But of course, the further away I went, the more I thought of home and of her. When I reached the top, I met a strange old woman. She told me that I was a moon child set on the sun and maybe, for once, I should just try to be where I was. Here, now. I heeded her advice and ‘The Last Time’ was written then and there.”
Taken from the upcoming new album, ‘Moon Child Set On The Sun’ which is out soon.
While still a relatively new talent, Swedish producer UNDREAM has already amassed over 2.5 million streams on Spotify alone from previous releases.
With TIMMS on vocals, ‘Chemical X’ is a dark (almost sinister) sound that feels ambient and atmospheric, formed through a masterfully intricate production that cements UNDREAM’s name as one to watch.
“A lot of the time I get inspired by what I can’t explain with words or something that is out of my understanding. Abstract imagery and unexplainable situations are things that inspire most of my sounds”
Another week, another outstanding Swedish talent to share with you! This time it’s Stockholm-based artist Cohle.
Drawing inspiration from modern-day legends such as Seinabo Sey, NAO and Emilie Nicolas, Cohle creates a refined fusion of dance-pop and RnB, laden with catchy melodies and sleek vocals.
‘Let Me In’ all about waiting too long on someone to make a decision and to get their act together; asking them to communicate their feelings and make their mind up.
Norwegian indie kid Ruben Dawnson returns with a song that will stay in your head all week. This is an infectiously feel-good track that seems perfect for the weeks and months that lie ahead of us.
If you feel that NEIMY’s voice is familiar, then it’s probably because she was the vocalist on Jubël’s huge hit ‘Dancing In The Moonlight’ which became a global mega-success in the summer of 2018 (to date it’s been streamed over 180 million times).
Now she’s back with her own solo material, and it’s as premium as you can expect for Swedish pop. It’s bold yet relatable while also being empowering yet vulnerable.
“’Trust your gut’ is about someone who’s always going against their gut feeling and realising that they need to start trusting their intuition more. To not do what doesn’t feel right and how empowering it feels to let go of things that weigh you down.”
Taken from the new EP ‘Trust your gut’ which is out now.
One of the most exciting pop talents to emerge from Denmark recently, lil cat’s music only came about as a result of the boredom they were experiencing during the isolation from the Corona pandemic over the last year.
The real-life couple initially held back from working together, feeling that the concept of a ‘couples band’ was too kitsch for them. Nonetheless, they experimented with their sound and realised that actually, making music together was a pretty special experience.
“It’s kind of our Netflix. It’s what we do when we have fun and relax. Where other couples take dance lessons or play bridge or something, music is our thing, and the lyrics are therefore also taken directly from our own relationship – whether it is about my clothing crisis, PMS, or that I would like a whole football team of children with Mads. It is a kind of creative couples therapy.” – Cathrine van Leeuwen, lil cat.
Taken from the debut EP ‘tunes’ which is out now via W.A.S. Entertainment.
