Nordic Music - New Music

Varas – Eaten By Worms

Varas is no stranger to these pages, so it won’t come as a surprise to regular visitors that we’re featuring the incredibly exciting Stockholm-based producer and songwriter once again.

He’s back this week with a brilliant new EP and single that both share the same name, ‘Eaten By Worms’ (stream the full record here).

As always, Varas presents us with sonic art that melds genres together in a way that only he can create so perfectly. Speaking on the lead track, the artist explains:

“The lyrics are loosely inspired by Geryon from Anne Carson’s long poem Autobiography of Red, where Geryon is a boy who is also a red, winged monster. In the song, he longs for the safety of a cage after crashing to the ground when his wings stop working. The track explores themes of self-preservation using whatever resources are available. The idea to write it likely came from the bittersweet nostalgia I felt when realizing I used to handle certain situations better.” With nuanced lyricism and intricate musical layering, ‘Eaten By Worms’ doesn’t just introduce the EP – it demands the listener’s complete emotional investment, setting a provocative tone that echoes throughout the entire collection.”

To date, Varas has found praise from outlets like The Line of Best Fit, Under the Radar, and Earmilk, while his songs have amassed more than 1.5 million streams on Spotify alone.

Varas

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Sarah von Reis – Nest

If you’re in the mood for some sweet indie pop, then we’ve got the perfect song to share with you today, courtesy of rising Scandinavian starlet Sarah von Reis.

‘Nest’ is a beautifully warm track that starts slow and hazy, gradually evolving into a euphoric climax that epitomises the emotions we experience when we’re deeply in love.

“‘Nest’ is a steamy, dreamy makeout song about one of those nights you wish would never end. There is this running joke in the lesbian community that a typical first lesbian date lasts until you break up. You meet at a bar, have drinks, go to her place and then you just never leave. You ‘U-haul’ and move in together in the first week and talk about the wedding on the second. Nest is about a first night like that, when you put down your sword and cease to exist beyond her arms. Hope this will be a song to keep the heat going through this winter!”

The track serves as another example of this Swedish singer and songwriter’s exceptional talent. Fans can expect Sarah’s debut album to drop next March, with a tour in her native homeland to follow. Exciting times for an exciting prospect!

Sarah von Reis

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New Music: HISSY

Danish artist HISSY (aka Martin Grønne) has unveiled this weekend’s anthem, and it’s called ‘Silenzio’.

If you love your indie-pop with an electro twist, then you’ll adore this track. It’s an energising and breezy style of sound, which is really quite compelling to listen to.

Lyrically, the song looks at the effect that people’s words and opinions can have on us – and our desire to simply ‘switch off’ these thoughts.

“The song is about needing to shut out other people’s voices if they’ve moved into your head and make it hard to hear what you feel yourself.”

While HISSY is Grønne’s foray into solo music, this musician is already well known as a member of the acclaimed group Virgin Suicide, which he serves as the front-person for.

In turn, Virgin Suicide has gathered praise from the likes of The Guardian, while also selling out shows across the globe and performing on iconic stages like Roskilde and The Great Escape.

HISSY

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New Music: 100%WET

Track of the week. We’ve made no secret of our admiration for emerging Danish music talent, so we’re stoked to be sharing with you another new outfit from the Nordic nation called 100%WET.

Signed to acclaimed label Crunchy Frog (home to The Raveonettes and Yune, among many others), this duo has caught our attention with their unique productions, which blend nostalgic 90’s sounds with shoegaze and electronica.

Euphoric new single ‘Ether’ will be our weekend bop and is very quickly becoming one of our favourite songs of the winter.

“‘Ether’ describes the juxtaposed feelings of being in an altered state of mind—the perception of momentary bliss while also experiencing everything at a dissociate remove.”

100%WET comprises of producers Jakob Birch and Casper Munns, while vocal contributions come courtesy of artists like Eir from Sweden (as featured on ‘Ether’), Polly from Denmark, and the UK’s Hockeysmith.

100%WET

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New Music: Carlina de Place

Track of the week. We’ve got a really exciting new R&B-pop talent emerging from Denmark to share with you today, going by the name of Carlina de Place.

This 21-year-old Copenhagen artist left school at only 17 to pursue music, and it’s safe to say that the gamble is already paying off. Her new single ‘Selfish’ was produced by Morten ‘Rissi’ Ristorp, who is known for collaborations with Lukas Graham, Kanye West, and Beyoncé.

The track itself is beautifully emotive and gathers its inspiration from relationships that ought to end but continue to exist. The artist explains:

“’Selfish’ delves into a perspective of love that represents the opposite of fighting for it. Sometimes, that’s what we pretend to do when we’re only holding on to the dream of what we could have been.It can be hard to face the truth, but what if the greatest declaration of love would be to let go of it.”

While only Carlina’s third release to date, it’s clear to see that this newcomer is destined for great things, so keep this kid on your radars.

Carlina de Place

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Vilhelm Buchaus – My Mistake

Track of the week. The mighty Vilhelm Buchaus is back with yet another big song to remind us just why he’s becoming one of Scandinavia’s hottest musical prospects.

‘My Mistake’ is an energising slice of pop-rock that is impossible not to enjoy. The melody is anthemic, the vocals are captivating, and the lyrics are likely to resonate with anyone who’s ever loved the wrong person.

“’My Mistake’ is about a complicated relationship where two people are stuck in a destructive cycle, constantly coming back to each other, even though they both know it will end in disappointment. The song reflects emotional confusion that ultimately leads to pain.”

This track could easily get an arena crowd on their feet and goes to show just how much potential this rising talent has. Fans can look forward to Vilhelm’s debut EP, called ‘Quiet Rooms’, being released soon via TEN.

Vilhelm Buchaus

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Orlando Hotopf – Half Light

We’ve made no secret in the past about our love of Stockholm-based singer and songwriter Orlando Hotopf. This immensely talented artist returns with a new release today, titled ‘Half Light’.

Refreshingly raw in form, the song looks at the dynamics of caring for someone who needs help. The topic is approached with sincerity and emotion, and overall, this is a very moving song.

“Normally when I write songs they come out intuitively and I figure out the meaning later on, but this one was different. It is about processing the reality of supporting someone who is not well. It’s my way of saying that I will always be there, will stay strong and will guide them home even when the road feels long and the ending is barely visible.”

‘Half Light’ was recorded in Arcade Fires’ old studio in Canada, with production from Tyler Neil Johnson and mastering completed in London’s iconic Abbey Road.

Orlando’s music has gained good momentum in recent months, amassing several thousand streams on Spotify from only three singles.

Orlando Hotopf

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Christian Nielsen – Halo

This weekend’s banger comes courtesy of acclaimed Danish DJ and producer Christian Nielsen and his newly released techno track ‘Halo’.

Nielsen cites icons like Kerri Chandler, Moodymann, and Frankie Knuckles as inspirations for his style of work, which is evident when you listen to his songs. His sounds are immediately gripping, and deliver a type of electronic music that is fresh and easy to form emotional connections with.

With more than five million catalogue streams on Spotify under his belt, it’s clear to see that Nielsen is well on his way to establishing himself as one of Denmark’s brightest techno talents.

Christian Nielsen

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Girl Scout – Honey

This weekend’s indie bop comes courtesy of acclaimed Swedish four-piece outfit Girl Scout and their new release ‘Honey’.

The track’s retro-tinged style of production treats listeners to a sense of charm that is rare to come by in today’s indie landscape. On the lyrics, the band’s guitarist and vocalist Emma says:

“’Honey’ is about the bittersweet experience of close friends growing apart, heartache and the inevitability to keep everyone in your life at the same time. The lyrics delve into the complex emotions of frustration, concern, and helplessness while witnessing the imbalance of that relationship. It was originally written as an acoustic number, but we discovered that it was better suited as our interpretation of a 2010s indie rock song.” – Emma Jansson, Girl Scout

Girl Scout currently command more than 55k monthly listeners on Spotify, and has garnered critic’s support from heavyweights like BBC Radio 1, NME, and The Line of Best Fit.

The group will embark on a UK-wide tour from February and hit the rest of Europe shortly after. You can check out all the stops and get tickets right here.

Girl Scout

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Luthersson – Reel In

Award-winning Icelandic singer Luthersson returns with an interesting new single to celebrate the end of his recent successful tour.

‘Reel In’ is one of the artists’s most honest releases and presents listeners with a haunting fusion of R&B and alternative pop.

Despite its sparse and eerie style of sound, the track flows in melancholy through it’s introspective and raw lyricism.

“This deeply personal track explores the theme of detachment as a defensive response to a breakup.”

If this is your first time hearing of Luthersson then you can enjoy another song that he released earlier this year called ‘I Can Always Picture You’—listen here.

Luthersson

New Music: Orlando Hotopf

Stockholm-based Londoner Orlando Hotopf is a rising singer and songwriter who has just unveiled an impressive new song that deserves to be heard by you all!

‘High Road’ is the first of two singles that the artist will release this year. The track fuses indie with folk in a way that almost feels timeless—in part thanks to clever production, which layers 22 different guitar parts that were recorded using 1936 Levin.

The production creates a captivating soundscape that perfectly complements the song’s nostalgic lyrics, which were inspired by Hotopf’s early adulthood.

“The song is about the nostalgia of my early 20’s, the endless nights and countless bad decisions (which I don’t regret) I made whilst searching for something I couldn’t quite find…”

Hotopf’s music has been championed by the likes of Mahogany and Indie Folk Central, while also receiving airplay on stations such as KX FM and 88.5 FM in the US and Radio Nord Norge.

Orlando Hotopf

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Vilhelm Buchaus – Break My Heart Again

Track of the week. Without a doubt, Vilhelm Buchaus is one of our favourite rising Scandinavian stars.

Today’s release of ‘Break My Heart Again’ only adds to our admiration for this hugely talented Swedish singer and songwriter.

In essence, this is a song about broken hearts. Alongside its stripped-back, sombre production, the track’s lyrics express feelings of emotional pain and the toxicity of failing romances.

“I wrote ‘Break My Heart Again’ about being stuck in a broken relationship that doesn’t work, despite trying multiple times. I knew the relationship caused me more pain than joy, but I still hoped for a different outcome, and that feeling inspired this song.”

The song was created by Buchaus, with the help of Jacob Werner and Amanda Kongshaug. Fans can expect an EP later in the autumn.

Vilhelm Buchaus

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Elise Elvira – My Girls

One of our favourite Scandinavian talents to emerge this year is Elise Elvira. As a triple-threat artist who is a performer, songwriter, and producer, it’s clear Elvira is a naturally adept musician.

The new single ‘My Girls’ is a refreshingly distinctive summer bop. This track was co-produced alongside Fabio Trimarchi and lyrically focuses on the importance of healthy female friendships.

The production is experimental and unexpected, yet it still maintains a playful pop sensibility that is charming and intriguing in equal measures. A very special sound from a very unique artist!

Elise Elvira

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Vilhelm Buchaus – Dying Light

Swedish singer and songwriter Vilhelm Buchaus is back with another teaser from his highly anticipated upcoming EP, and we can’t wait to feature it for you today.

New single ‘Dying Light’ is a powerful rock-pop banger that was inspired by the artist’s yearning for adventure. Elaborating on the lyrics, Buchaus says:

“’Dying Light’ is a song I wrote about growing up and longing for something more in life. I grew up in a small town and have always felt limited by the repetitive and safe everyday life that comes with it. Much of the longing for something else that I felt as a child has gone into the writing and inspired, among other things, this song.”

This musician currently commands more than 14k monthly Spotify listeners, while his songs have already garnered over 600k streams. With such a natural flair for songwriting, we anticipate that Buchaus will grow to become a Scandinavian sensation very soon.

Vilhelm Buchaus

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IAMJJ – Extra Spicy Noodles

We’re starting the week with a massive banger from Copenhagen musician IAMJJ and his new single ‘Extra Spicy Noodles’.

Now, I know what you’re thinking… Denmark? Spicy noodles? Yes, but also no. In what might be the weirdest coincidence in music history, this song actually focuses on the flaws of togetherness.

”When love gets complicated and frustrating we tend to try and spice things up with a ‘romantic’ trip to Paris or buying that sofa you never needed. It’s like noodles: it doesn’t taste of much but if you spice it up with chilli you might be able to enjoy it or at least numb your senses for a minute. If you accept that life has got you in a deadlock maybe it’s time to move on.”

IAMJJ is one of Denmark’s most prolific musicians, with more than 25 million career streams to date. He’s released three albums, toured his home nation several times, and played on some of Scandinavia’s most prolific festival stages.

IAMJJ

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New Music: Salty Licorice

Track of the week. Despite being a relative newcomer, Swedish project Salty Licorice has already caused quite a stir. The visuals of her recent release of ‘Yemanya (p.19)’ went viral on TikTok (amassing more than 8.6 million views), and the song itself has also been streamed over 300k times.

New single ‘North Sea Siren (p.78)’ is yet another impressive piece of sonic artistry. Lifted from the artist’s forthcoming ‘The Sunrise Cried’ EP (out later this year), this introspective song focuses on the humans’ natural tendency to desire change.

“I was captivated by The Spy and read it several times. I visualized the scenes as if they were a film and began composing music that would suit them. The lyrics are written from Mata Hari’s perspective. I was intrigued by how fearless she comes off in the book. It gave me the freedom to express myself in ways I normally wouldn’t.”

Salty Licorice (aka Soha Akile) has been praised by the likes of The Line of Best Fit, BBC, MTV, and DiscoverNü. It’s not often that we come across a talent who is so unafraid to push the boundaries of pop, so we can’t wait to hear what comes next!

Salty Licorice

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sixten – Living Comes With Dying

Acclaimed Scandi duo sixten return today with one of their most powerful releases in quite some time.

‘Living Comes With Dying’ was inspired by a friend of sixten’s, who sadly lost their mother to cancer in the past year. The production is sombre in tone, while the lyrics are sincere, heartfelt, and deeply moving.

“We felt we couldn’t write about anything other than what our friends were going through. Other topics like love troubles, which we usually write about, became meaningless in comparison. ‘Living Comes With Dying’ is dedicated to those who have lost their dearest loved ones and serves as a reminder of the importance of continuing to support cancer research.”

The track is taken from the duo’s upcoming ‘Misemotional’ EP, which is out in August via TEN Records.

Since first releasing music in 2016 (under the former name of Strandels), sixten has garnered more than 15 million streams on Spotify, accumulating a string of gold-certified singles along the way.

sixten

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Noak Hellsing – Empty the Bags

Track of the week. Swedish artist Noak Hellsing kicks the weekend off with a shimmering new single called ‘Empty the Bags’.

Through its finessed fusion of dreamy pop, disco, and indie, this track treats listeners to a hypnotic sound that leaves you wanting more. It’s a sound that feels distinctly unique and is complimented by evocative lyricism, which is inspired by the emotions of love.

“‘Empty the Bags’ is more than just a song. It’s a powerful narrative about dedication and unconditional love. It’s about how far we’re willing to go to protect what’s dear to us.”

The song serves as a taster to Noak’s forthcoming ‘SHIFT’ EP, which is out on the 18th of July via Ten Music Group. Until then, you can check out more of this emerging talent’s music over on his Spotify.

Noak Hellsing

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Edgar Homeros – Upset

Edgar Homeros has already proven himself as one of Scandinavia’s most promising emerging music artists, and the release of his new single ‘Upset’ only further adds proof to this.

Lifted from his latest EP, ‘Crying Dove’ (listen here), the song presents listeners with a melodic blend of indie and soulful pop. The sound is minimal in style, but carries with it so much emotion and sincerity. Elaborating on his new EP, Edgar says:

“This is a special project for me. It’s been a year in the making, compared to ‘Volatile’ which was written & produced in a month. When writing the songs, it wasn’t with a specific concept in mind, but as I started to compile them I saw the red thread – it was a diary of me growing up in Stockholm, through both heartbreak and joy.”

The track was created in collaboration with Jake Gosling, who is noted for his work with global names like Shawn Mendes and James Bay.

Edgar Homeros

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New Music: Vilhelm Buchaus

We’ve got a fantastic new talent from Scandinavia to share with you today, who goes by the name of Vilhelm Buchaus.

While still only 22 years old, this rising singer-songwriter is already winning listeners across Europe thanks to his bold style of sound, which is both heartfelt and rousing.

The new single ‘Snow In The Summer’ shows listeners Vilhelm’s more vulnerable side, and treats us to a raw fusion of indie and rock that could easily get a stadium crowd on their feet.

“Through my music, I want to share what I’m going through in a way that others can relate to – the same way that artists before me have done the same for me. I also need to write about things I think about constantly. And as long as I am true to myself in what I write about, I hope others can recognize themselves in my songs.”

The track serves as a taster for the artist’s forthcoming debut EP, which is out soon via iconic Swedish label TEN Music.

Vilhelm Buchaus

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