Category: Nordic Music

Oliver Malcolm – What Am I To Do?

Acclaimed musician and producer Oliver Malcolm marks his comeback today with a bold new single.

‘What Am I To Do?’ presents listeners with an energising mix of alternative pop, indie and rock, while the lyrics look at the times in our lives when we are uncertain of how to shape our futures.

“I made this song kind of by accident; one of those things where I only created a hook and decided to tease it on the internet, and boom; it reacted so I knew I had to finish it. It’s quite literally a song about not knowing what to do, not being sure of what the next move is.”

The track is Malcom’s first release in over a year, and sets the tone for what fans can next expect from this hugely exciting artist.

Despite his recent absence, Malcolm’s music still commands an impressive 270k monthly listeners on Spotify. The artist has also amassed more than 25 million career streams to date, thanks to hit releases like ‘Switched Up’ and ‘Baby Don’t Go’.

Oliver Malcolm

Vorsen – Evil

British-Norwegian singer and songwriter Vorsen (aka Oliver Halvorsen) unveils his latest single today, called ‘Evil’.

The song was written and produced by the artist at his London home, and is lyrically inspired by the concept of ignorance. Additional vocals are provided by The Staves member Camilla Stavely-Taylor,

“‘Evil’ is a shimmering vignette about yearning for blissful ignorance in the face of harsh reality. A hopeful longing that evokes feelings of warmth and nostalgia.” – Vorsen

Vorsen plans to release a new EP soon. In the meantime, listeners can explore his other songs here.

Vorsen

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New Music: Kissimjau

We are starting the week with an absolute banger from rising Norwegian pop starlet, Kissimjau.

‘2 HOT 4 THIS (let’s do shots!)’ is a song that’s just as wild as its title implies. Sonically fusing drum’n’bass with electronic pop, the track serves as an anthem of empowerment for anyone who is stuck in a toxic relationship.

To date, Kissimjau has amassed more than three million likes on TikTok and over 600k streams on Spotify from only a handful of releases.

With an ever-growing fanbase, as well as support from tastemakers all across the world, Kissimjau might just end up being one of Scandinavia’s biggest musical exports this year.

Kissimjau

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The Fur – We’re going under (feat. YVO)

Photo / Nina Andersson Voight

We’re launching into the weekend with a blissful slice of Scandinavian pop from emerging Swedish composer and conductor The Fur.

‘We’re going under’ was co-written and performed alongside fellow Stockholm artist YVO (aka Yvonne Dahlbom), and delivers to listeners an uplifting blend of synth and shimmering power-pop.

“My music is a process of returning to my roots and to enjoy my everyday life. The foundation is the love of creativity and the joy of being in music” – The Fur

While the real identity behind The Fur is still very much a mystery, this talent has already crafted sounds for operas and musicals, while also working on his own solo music.

To date, he has amassed more than a million streams on Spotify alone, and is finalising the release of his first debut album – which will be out soon.

The Fur

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New Music: LUCIIA

Photo / Hannes Söderlund

Readers in Scandinavia will most likely have already come across Cuban/Swedish songstress LUCIIA at some point over the past year – and once you press play on her new single you’ll understand why.

‘SAME THING NEW MAN’ is taken from the artist’s forthcoming ‘WITH II EYES‘ EP (out in October), and showcases a finessed production that seamlessly fuses 90’s inspired R&B with pop. Explaining the lyrics behind the song, LUCIIA says:

“My self-confidence is starting to emerge, and the lyrics are written with a sense that what I receive in relationships is never enough. I feel misunderstood again and again, and with that comes men who don’t quite know how to approach me. In the song, I express that frustration.”

LUCIIA has become one of Sweden’s most hyped newcomers in recent times, with acclaim from outlets as prominent as Rinse FM, Reprezent, Wonderland and BBC, as well as recognition from the Swedish Grammis and Manifest awards.

LUCIIA opens for Coldplay at the Ullevi Stadium in July.

LUCIIA

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Noak Hellsing – Die Without Letting You Know

Photo / Lamia Karic

Swedish pop artist Noak Hellsing is becoming a regular name on these Alfitude pages, and for good reason.

The 20-year old emerging talent returns today with yet another impressive new single, called ‘Die Without Letting You Know’.

The track was lyrically inspired by Noak’s struggles with committing to a relationship, and showcases a style of sound that is beautifully melodic and sincere in tone.

“‘Die Without Letting You Know’ is a song that is very close to my heart. It’s an honest song, maybe the most honest I’ve released so far, which makes it all the more exciting, but also scarier. The song is produced by Jacob Werner and written by me, Jacob Werner, and Benjamin Roustaing.”

The song follows on from Noak’s summer anthem ‘When The Shadows Go Home‘ (listen here), and serves as taster to artist’s upcoming ‘YESTERYEAR’ EP.

Noak Hellsing

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amilost – Introspective Souvenirs

It’s a special day for Norwegian-British group amilost, who have just unveiled their debut EP, entitled ‘Introspective Souvenirs’ (listen here).

Among the collection of beautifully written tracks on the record is new single ‘Maybe It’s You’, which explores our inner strengths – and how they can help us overcome life’s challenges.

Through its distinct approach to indie-pop, the song presents listeners with an energising and invigorating sonic experience.

The trio describe their new EP as ‘an inner journey and the emotional souvenirs we pick up along the way. It’s a collection of songs centred around four themes: anxiety, love, escapism and aspiration.”

We first featured amilost back in May with their stunning Parallax Orchestra collaboration, ‘The Good Kind of Love‘ (listen here).

amilost is the London-based musical collaborative project of musicians Sigrid Zeiner-Gundersen, Ross Craib and Charlie Fowler.

amilost

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New Music: Dania O. Tausen

Hailing from the Faroe Islands is singer, songwriter and poet Dania O. Tausen, who has just unveiled one of the most gorgeous Nordic releases of the summer so far.

While sung entirely in Dania’s native Faroese language, ‘kann eg hava armin soleiĂ°is her?’ (‘Can I have my arms like this?’) carries with it a unique sense of charm which makes it instantly captivating to any listener.

The track’s production beautifully fuses folk with soft tones of pop and indie, resulting in a sound that is warm and welcoming in tone. Elaborating further on the song’s inspiration, the artist says:

“You may have asked someone this question at some point in your life. Maybe on a crowded aeroplane, in a small car or on a tiny sofa. Sometimes there’s just not enough space for our arms! Where do we put them? ‘Can I have my arm like this?’ said by the right person, can be a very sweet sound”.

The single is taken from Dania’s forthcoming double album ‘ja/nei og restin av vikuni’, which is released on the 21st July and 12th October. Until then, you can immerse yourselves in Dania’s debut record ‘gonguteigatĂșnatos’ here.

Dania O. Tausen

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New Music: Elise Elvira

Photo / Jennifer Söderlund

We’ve got a very exciting Swedish talent to share with you today, called Elise Elvira. While not a total newcomer (Elise released a debut EP last year), we’ve only just come across this promising singer and songwriter today.

Elise’s new single ‘Charlie, Don’t Do It!’ was written by the artist herself to one of her friends, as a response to the way that he was behaving towards women. The track is dreamy, soulful and enchanting in its production, and (in our view) feels sonically similar to Janet Jackson’s ‘Velvet Rope’ era.

Impressively, Elise has already achieved more than 100k catalogue streams to date on Spotify alone, and we think that’s only just the start for this gifted Nordic starlet.

Elise Elvira

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New Music: Laundry Boys

Every once in a while, you come across a new outfit that is so completely unique that it takes you by surprise.

Laundry Boys is a new project that was formed by two songwriting friends, whose sole purpose was to create music in its purest form – without needing to worry about rules, restrictions or commercial viability.

“We played in a stoner rock band when we were 17. Since then, we’ve made all kinds of music. In this project, we want to use our musical palette without feeling like we’re breaking any rules because that’s the magical thing about music, unlike almost everything else in life. You get to do whatever you want.”

Debut single ‘Drunk On Love’ presents listeners with a genre-bending fusion of sounds that is warm, melodic, atmospheric, and deeply captivating to experience. It’s not an easy song to describe or define – but then again, that is the aim of the duo’s work.

The track serves as a taster to a forthcoming EP called ‘Yatzy Music Vol. 1’, which is released on the band’s own label, Popped N Screwed Records.

Laundry Boys

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Flora Summers – Sweet Summer Feels

We only featured Swedish talent Flora Summers (aka Ida Johansson) last month, but she’s already back with another showstopping release that deserves your attention.

‘Sweet Summer Feels’ delights us with an intoxicating mix of shimmering alt-pop and hazy indie. To us, the production feels reminiscent of Lana Del Rey’s early work, and perfectly balances a classic and vintage style of sound with something contemporary and fresh.

“‘Sweet Summer Feels’ is about that kind of chemistry that’s burning with the heat of a summer day. It’s flirty, carefree and totally sun soaked. It’s the soundtrack of an endless summer. I hope you’ll love it as much as I do.”

The song was written and produced by Summers herself, and follows on her well-received debut single ‘Obsessions’ (listen here). An upcoming EP is on the way, so be sure to keep an eye on this talent!

Flora Summers

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New Music: Echo Thrills

Today is a very special day for Stockholm artist Oskar Jennefors, who has just unveiled his new project, called Echo Thrills.

If you’re a fan of outfits like Tame Impala and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, then the chances of loving Echo Thrills are almost certain to be high.

Jennefors experiments with the sounds of soul, disco and rock to create new pieces of music that feel timelessly classic but also refreshingly current.

As its title suggests, debut single ‘In a Dream’ presents listeners with a gorgeously constructed soundscape that is blissfully hazy and psychedelic in character. Elaborating further on the song’s inspiration, Jennefors explains:

“The track started out when I was on vacation, at my parents summerhouse in the Swedish archipelago. The sun was beaming down and was chilling by the ocean. Being in a blissful state combined with the beautiful surroundings gave me inspiration for the chords, and the slow disco beat just felt right on that warm, lush summer day. The lyrics are inspired by dreamstates and the beautiful places that you can visit in your dreams. All in all the track, for me, is more about being in a certain state of mind. A state of exploration, awe and a sense of magic.”

Echo Thrills

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Boko Yout – AS SEEN ON TV (EP)

Swedish-born creative Boko Yout (aka Paul Adamah) first caught our attention last autumn with his sensationally arresting song, ‘ANXIETY’.

Since then, this multi-talented artist has built up a strong base of followers and picked up support from tastemakers as respected as Fashionably Early and Mystic Sons.

Today sees Adamah releasing his highly anticipated concept EP, ‘AS SEEN ON TV’ (available here).

The songs on the record represent ‘the channels of a fictional TV network called Boko Communications’, and reflect upon the life experiences and emotions that Adamah has so far experienced in his life.

“From my perspective as a black gay man in Sweden, TV, and entertainment have been an escape from reality since I was a child. This project is therefore a celebration, as much as a critique, of the culture shaped by these stereotypes. This is a TV network where I get to decide what I want to see – a manifestation of a younger version of myself and the stories I wish I had heard. It’s a way to look up to myself in retrospect.”

While every song on the EP is distinct in character, there are two notable tracks which have caught our attention; those being ‘TIKTOK’ and ‘MORNING’.

With its captivating lyricism and rich sonic textures, ‘MORNING’ showcases Adamah’s self-described ‘Afro Grunge’ style of sound.

Meanwhile, ‘TIKTOK’ presents listeners a with a hazy and lo-fi, almost psychedelic style of production that is as intriguing as it is captivating.

Fans in Sweden can catch Boko Yout performing live this summer at various events, including Storsjöyran, TrĂ€dgĂ„rden Live Sessions, Powerpose FM Festival and at Daniel Ek’s Brilliant Minds Conference.

Boko Yout

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New Music: JO universe

Our introduction to JO universe proves that Denmark is currently one of Europe’s leading nations for emerging musical talent.

As the creative project of artists Johanne Marie Theill (singer & writer) and Nicolai Absalon (co-writer & producer), these two musicians are creating some of the most exciting and interesting sounds to emerge from Scandinavia in quite some time.

In equal parts, the duo’s infectious new single ‘Sweet Deal’ is an eccentric, camp, quirky and high-drama slice of alternative pop that you’ll likely have on repeat for the rest of the day.

This is a sound that is bravely playful and utterly captivating to experience – and marks a promising taster to the band’s upcoming releases.

JO universe

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New Music: Wilja

It wouldn’t be a normal weekend at Alfitude if we didn’t share with you some fresh Scandinavian pop, and this time it’s the turn of singer, songwriter and producer Wilja.

Despite being sung entirely in Swedish, ‘HĂ„ll mig HĂ„rt’ (which translates to ‘Hold Me Tight) has a style of sound that makes it universally appealing. Through its stripped-back blend of mellow pop and alternative R&B, Wilja’s airy vocals sing lyrics that tell of the loneliness that follows a breakup.

“‘HĂ„ll Mig HĂ„rt’ is about the feeling of being alone after having a relationship with someone who has been both good and bad for you. You are willing to drop everything for that person just to have and feel that closeness once more, no matter how long it lasts.”

While the song marks Wilja’s solo debut, she is no stranger to the industry. This accomplished musician also runs hugely successful EDM project JEN, which has amassed millions of streams through its collaborations with the likes of Sevek and Man Cub.

Wilja

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New Music: amilost

London-based trio amilost is a musical collaboration between Sigrid Zeiner-Gundersen, Ross Craib and Charlie Fowler. Together, these three artists create cinematic and immersive pieces of pop that are both captivating and emotive to experience.

New single ‘The Good Kind of Love’ is lifted from the group’s upcoming ‘Introspective Souvenirs’ debut EP, and features none other than Parallax Orchestra themselves. Lyrically, the song looks at the dynamic between two lovers who seem to have a missing connection with each another.

“We want other people to channel their pain and their questions through listening to our songs.” – Sigrid Zeiner-Gundersen

Aside from amassing thousands of catalogue streams to date, amilost’s music has picked up support from outlets as respected as NRK P3 and Amazing Radio, while also being featured on prominent playlists like Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday’ and ‘Fresh Finds: Pop’.

amilost | Parallax Orchestra

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Sanna Martinez – I Like It

Rising singer and songwriter Sanna Martinez’s ‘I Like It’ might be the first real summe anthem of the year. With its perfected mix of electro-pop and R&B, this song is certain to leave you feeling like you’re on top of the world.

The track was written alongside fellow songwriters Maria Marcus and Tobias NĂ€slund, who are already renowned for their work on some of K-Pop’s biggest artists.

While still a young musician, Martinez has already accomplished some very impressive feats. She’s already co-written and performed songs that have ended up in national selections for Eurovision, seen her music featured on primetime shows like Love Island USA, and has even written a track for K-Pop icons Everglow.

Sanna Martinez

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New Music: NiwrianCreature

NiwrianCreature is an emerging alternative musician who is currently crafting some of the most interesting and experimental sounds to emerge from Sweden.

‘Hummingbirds’ is a gripping piece of dark pop which sets a haunting soundscape that is filled with intensity and tension. On the lyricism, Niwrian explains:

“The lyrics is steeped in metaphors, but is about friendship with bad intentions. The purely physical anxiety when people you trust don’t want you well. It is the voice of the person who experienced the text, so it is only reasonable that it is heard on the recording.”

Interestingly, the production for the song was completed just before the start of Niwrian’s testosterone treatments, meaning the voice that you hear on the track is one that no longer exists.

You can experience more of this artist’s work through his ‘From My Wounds’ EP, which can be found here.

NiwrianCreature

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New Music: Astrid Cordes

Photo / Mads Fisker

No song sums up the midweek blues as well as ‘Stop Dreaming’ by Danish singer and songwriter Astrid Cordes.

Aside from its beautifully raw and introspective lyrics, the track’s flawlessly blended fusion of soft disco and dark indie-pop has convinced us that this is one of the most impressive Scandinavian releases so far this spring. Elaborating further on the song, Cordes explains:

“It seems like yesterday, I pulled my beloved idol posters and the luminescent stars off the walls of my teenage bedroom and moved out of my dad’s house. But here I am; happily stuck in a new role and part of life. I found myself reflecting on the success and lives of others, inevitably feeling insecure and losing faith in who I am as an artist and what I can achieve as a human being.”

“‘Stop Dreaming’ is a mental and artistic state of emergency. It’s also kind of a paradox ’cause I’ve never been more creative than I am right now. Inspired by the frustrating emotions I was going through, I sat down by the piano and wrote the song in less than 30 minutes. ‘Stop Dreaming’ is a bittersweet salute to anyone who has felt like giving up on their dreams and goals in life.”

‘Stop Dreaming’ is part of a trilogy of EP’s by Astrid, which will all come together to form her upcoming album, entitled ‘Hurry Up and Kiss Me While the Baby’s Still Asleep’ (out later this year).

Astrid Cordes

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New Music: Orphée Noah

OrphĂ©e Noah has to be the most exciting newcomer to emerge from Sweden so far this spring. As the son of a Swedish pianist and a French jazz singer, it comes as no surprise to learn that Noah’s sonic artistry is nothing short of spectacular.

‘Attack On Us’ was written, performed and produced by Noah himself, and fuses elements of jazz with soul and alternative pop. Lyrically inspired by the human desire for efficiency (and the dire consequences it can lead to), the song presents listeners with a stark warning on the state of the world.

The track has already picked up more than 60k cumulative streams and views since its release just over a week ago. As far as Scandinavian talent goes, they don’t get much more interesting than OrphĂ©e Noah.

Orphée Noah

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