Jesse Markin really is making his name as one of the boldest talents to have come out of Finland in the last couple of years. Take note of this kid, his approach to hip hop and RnB is too damn good to miss.
Jesse Markin – Stars in Your Eyes
Category: Nordic Music
Chris Holsten – Shout, baby
There’s so much good disco-pop coming out of Norway these days, and I have no idea why, but I am here for it!
New Music: Ask Carol
Proof that music is as universal a language as you could imagine, this energising grunge-pop outfit are based out of the Norwegian mountain community of Auma.
The track itself is a tongue-in-cheek ode to California, and was made at a time when Corona stood in the way of the band’s ambitions.
“In April this year, we, Ask Carol, finally got set up for a meeting with some big shot management in LA, which we had been working towards for a long time. We were supposed to fly in around the middle of April, but we all know what happened… So, with all travels out of the question, we were stuck in the middle of nowhere, with internet-speeds from the 90s. ‘What do we do now?’ we thought. In need of a distraction from our frustrations, we made this song, ‘Do It in LA'”.
New Music: Mahrow
A finessed blend of soul, RnB and pop from a new Danish artist-producer who’s crafted a song that feels sultry and smooth, yet very mischievous.
The track is inspired by Mahrow’s own life stories of being ‘that guy’ that girls turn to when they get bored of their own partner.
“Something about the drama that comes with it is so tempting and interesting to dive into, and the whole mystery of it is fuelled with adrenaline and sensuality. Although when it comes down to it, it’s only a brief excitement, ’cause there’s no real love involved. It’s all a matter of skin against skin and the hunger for new things.”
Fantasillion – Need a Way Out
Danish electronic power-pop doesn’t come more fantastic than this. A track that takes retro vibes and turns them upside down, to create something that’s not only refreshing but also really feel-good.
Matilda – Figure it Out
One of Norway’s most exciting pop exports finally releases her album ‘Retrospect‘ and I can safely promise you that each song is pure quality.
Watch: Dagny – It’s Only A Heartbreak
“‘It’s Only A Heartbreak’ is actually partly inspired by the classic movie ‘Casablanca’ from 1942, and Humphrey Bogart’s famous quote: ‘Here’s looking at you, kid’. Like the movie, the song is about knowing that you will never get someone back, but you can secretly still look at, and admire, that certain someone. The song carries a nonchalant expression, but the undertone makes it pretty obvious that you’re not over that person yet.”
New Music: ISÁK
Louie Blue – Let Go
Das Body – Scared
This is what it feels like when melancholy and euphoria are blended together into an indie song.
“’Scared’ was written a couple of years ago and we’ve played it live every time since – it’s one of our favourites. But we struggled to translate the energy that Ellie (front woman, Das Body) radiates during the live performances into the studio version. We feel like we finally managed it, to project the eccentric Ellie Linden, almost as if she is pushed through even the tiny speakers on your laptop or phone.”
Taken from upcoming album Peregrine, which is due soon.
Alexander Oscar, SVEA – Need To Know
Maja Kristina – Slow Hand
Maja Kristina reshapes a cheesy (but timeless) 80’s classic into something sharp, fun and damn infectious.
“I love this song and I’m super excited to bring it back from the 80’s with a modern twist. Great songs never go out of style and this is no exception.”
New Music: Andrea
A quintessentially Scandinavian pop sound; one that carries a fine balance between melancholy and light-hearted introspection. A very promising release from Norwegian talent Andrea, who is still only 21-years old.
“I wrote this song in early 2020, while living in London. A song about not quite knowing where and how to move forward in life. Mentioning a failed relationship as well as the struggles with making and seeing through plans, ‘Fighting For’ addresses the pressures in the life of a young adult.”
New Music: Sätilä
Paria – C’mon
Norwegian artist Paria has managed to create one of the catchiest slices of pop this year! A hypnotic, charming and beautifully simple track that will stay with you all weekend.
“‘C ́mon’ is really the most spontaneous song I have ever made. I wrote it while I stayed in a farm in Norway last summer, I remember walking around humming the melody that now has become the hook for this song ‘c’mon, c’mon, c’mon’ for some reason. ‘C’mon’ puts you in the situation of someone who tries to convey their basic needs to another person, but they’re too scared to say the words out loud.”
JIM OUMA – Kids (feat. Dear Sara + Alicaì Harley)
There’s a lot of interesting back story with this track. JIM OUMA is an outfit who have already crafted songs for likes of Tove Lo, Madonna and Maroon 5, while also behind the band NONONO (who I have featured countless times on here since they are so damn awesome).
They have now collaborated with British dance hall queen Alicaì Harley and newcomer Dear Sara to create a song which immediately grabs your attention; a blend of indie and soft dance-pop that is an instantly loveable sound.
This song is our reflection of the crazy times that we are living in right now. The sample kick-started the beat and from there everything just fell into place. We feel blessed to have the amazing Dear Sara and Alicaì Harley put their vibe on the track. – JIM OUMA
New Music: Marie Noreger
A fusion of old-school soul blended with a modern and eclectic edge to create a sound which feels conceptual yet emotive.
Bathsheba – Lost Your Mind
The Danish starlet returns with a punchy, sassy slice of RnB-pop, just in time for the weekend.
New Music: Ade Mai
A universally loveable indie folk sound that is both uplifting and atmospheric. The song itselfwas written at a time when Ade Mai was experiencing the excitement of moving to a new country.
“I had just moved to the UK from my home country Finland, and I was full of energy and wanderlust. I met lots of new exciting people and got to live next to the gorgeous Bournemouth beach. I am sure that’s where the cheerfulness in this song comes from.”
New Music: SOFIA
A Norwegian talent who is already on an ascent; having been featured as singer and co-writer of Coucheron’s wildly popular single ‘LOUD‘, and more recently with the release of ‘I Don’t Want to Lose a Friend‘ garnering almost half a million streams and being the most played single on Norwegian radio NRK P3 this spring.
The sound itself feels organic, mellow and soulful. There’s a unique charm to the music that makes it relatable, warm and full of emotion.