Category: Nordic Music

Claudia Kelley – jealous af

If you’re looking for a cheeky slice of Scandinavian pop to bounce along to today then you’ve come to the right place.

As the title implies, ‘jealous af’ is all about jealousy – and the times when we realise that we can’t hide our envy no matter how hard we try. The track is the latest release from rising Swedish singer and songwriter Claudia Kelley, and is sure to put a smile on your faces.

Interestingly, ‘jealous af’ is part of a series which sees Kelley unveiling music that she wrote, but never ended up in the recording studio:

“As a songwriter you write a lot of songs for pitch, with other words; for other people, labels. A lot of the time they get stuck with the label saying: we love this, the artist wants it. One year goes by, you ask if they still want it, they say: yes we love it don’t give it to anyone else and then one more year goes by and so on. So I decided to release all the songs that are stuck in limbo under my project called: songs that nobody wants. With no specific artist project, no red thread. Just some songs that I still like after all this time.”

To date, Kelley has amassed more than 170k cumulative streams on Spotify from the release of just three singles, making her one Scandi pop talent to keep on your radars.

Claudia Kelley

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JÁNA – Gia

Swedish starlet JÁNA (aka Johanna Andrén) is back today with a soulful slice of R&B-pop to brighten up our mornings.

Created alongside producer Isac Hördegård, melodic new single ‘Gia’ was inspired by the story of iconic American supermodel Gia Carangi, and looks at the human desire of wanting to feel loved unconditionally.

“It is definitely a homage to Gia Carangi. I was so touched by the movie and went deeper into Gia’s life story after seeing the movie like ten times. This song is reflecting on unconditional, real love and the search for it. About living life to the fullest. It’s also about seeing beyond beauty. I think the scariest thing for a woman is to be ugly and I think that it is both very sad and very interesting.”

A talent on the rise, JÁNA has been steadily building momentum thanks to her unique style of music-making, which seamlessly blends alternative pop with soul and R&B.

JÁNA’s catalogue of releases have already amassed more than two million career streams to date, and the artist has picked up support from tastemakers as noted as BBC Radio 1, Lyrical Lemonade, Fader Magazine and COLORS.

JÁNA

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New Music: Klemens Hannigan

If you feel as though you’ve already heard of Icelandic artist Klemens Hannigan then it might be from his work as a member of internationally renowned outfit HATARI.

Hannigan’s melodic new single ‘Never Loved Someone So Much’ is a beautifully intense, honest and vulnrable piece of music that fuses lo-fi pop with hints of indie and trip hop.

The track is taken from Hannigan’s forthcoming album, which will be produced alongside Leifur Björns from noted Icelandic rock group Low Roar, and also in collaboration with British electronica icon Howie B.

Klemens Hannigan

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jazzygold – dyed my hair red

Photo / analogram

Faroese starlet jazzygold is back today with a sublime new single, and it might just be the best R&B banger that we’ve come across in a very long time.

Inspired by the feelings of sadness and anger that arise from having a broken heart, the song’s refreshingly honest lyrics present listeners with a topic that all too many of us are familiar with.

“We all feel like dying our hair red at some mental break point in our lives. The feeling is short but sweet and can feel like a new beginning, for a while.” 

The song follows on from the artist’s widely acclaimed debut single, ‘boring like me’, which was released earlier this year. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again… this talent needs to be on everyone’s radar!

jazzygold

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New Music: Flora Summers

We’ve got a hugely exciting new Swedish talent to share with you today. Singer, songwriter and producer Flora Summers (aka Ida Johansson) crafts a kind of sound that is immediately captivating.

Nostalgia-tinged debut single ‘Obsessions’ blends alternative pop with hints of dark indie and hazy rock, treating listeners to a piece of music that feels heady and mesmerising. Elaborating further on the song’s lyrics, Ida explains:

“‘Obsessions’ is the kind of song that fell from the sky. All of a sudden I had summed up myself and my tendency to go way too hard into situations. I fall head over heels in love, I listen to songs that I love until I can’t stand them anymore and I get completely absorbed by characters in books and movies. It’s always all or nothing for me.”

The track serves as a taster to the artist’s forthcoming debut EP, which will is released soon. Aside from her own work as a soloist, Johansson is also part of award-winning, critically acclaimed pop duo Isle of You.

Flora Summers

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Rosa Raye – Forever Boy

Photo / Julie Montauk

It’s been a short while, but emerging Danish starlet Rosa Raye finally returns today with a brand new single called ‘Forever Boy’.

Through its sleek yet playful blend of disco-infused pop and R&B, the song tells of the empowerment that comes with modern dating. Raye elaborates:

“I think sometimes our fear of missing out or making the wrong choice actually means that we are missing out. If we’re not fully present, and if we don’t go ‘all in’, we don’t get to experience those great feelings and things on the other side of that door. I think there’s power in making a choice and closing doors”.

The track was co-created in London alongside acclaimed musicians Teis Zacho and Louis Eliot, and continues to showcase Rosa’s natural flair for songwriting.

With only three other singles released to date, Raye has already picked up praise from heavyweight Nordic tastemakers like Soundvenue and Bands of Tomorrow, while also amassing thousands of streams online. Fans can look forward to a debut EP, which is on the way.

Rosa Raye

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MALU – Comfort Zone

No matter how safe you feel in life, you can be sure that the world will find ways to turn things upside down and remind you that our time on this earth is ultimately just a long and unpredictable ride.

Danish-Corsican artist MALU’s soulful new single ‘Comfort Zone’ addresses the natural feelings of discomfort that arise when we are uncertain about the future, but also encourages us to embrace those moments, as they allow us to grow.

”Life is unpredictable. It’s full of surprises, people, experiences and moments that you never saw coming. The uncertainty about what’s to come can be frightening or even make you anxious and to some it helps to know what tomorrow or next week brings or even just what is going to happen in the movie you’re watching on Netflix. I’ve lived like that for years – safe and in control – but looking back, I never gave myself a chance to grow or develop, always living in my comfort zone.”

MALU is a talent who is already on the rise, having amassed more than a million career streams from the release of only a handful of singles. The artist headlines Vesterbro’s iconic VEGA venue later this year.

MALU

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Ben Alexander – Rush (feat. Arya)

Norwegian artist, songwriter and producer Ben Alexander unveils an impressive new collaboration today alongside Italo-Venezuelan artist Arya.

With its finessed fusion of synth, pop, alternative R&B and mellow electronica, ‘Rush’ presents listeners with a dreamy and sensual sound that feels both timeless and future-forward in equal measures.

Recorded in Milan, the song’s inspiration comes from the feelings of euphoria and adrenaline that one can experience when they first fall for someone. So if you’re looking for a love anthem to play this weekend – this is the song for you!

Ben Alexander | Arya

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Namelle – Defense

Photo / Agnes Strand

Swedish musician Namelle is back today with another impressive electro-pop song, called ‘Defense’.

Lyrically, the track looks at people who choose to ignore the warning signs in their relationships, and try to justify their partner’s bad behaviour for the sake of staying together.

The track is Namelle’s first new solo music since the release of her 2022 EP, ‘SALT’ (available here), which has so far garnered the singer-songwriter more than a million total streams.

If you’ve fallen in love with this talent then be sure to check out her recent collaboration with Nitro Fun on ‘Call Me Up’, as well as on juuku’s ‘No Turning Back’.

Namelle

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Aiida – Stupid Perfect

Norwegian singer-songwriter Aiida unleashes an almighty pop banger just in time for the weekend, entitled ‘Stupid Perfect‘.

Lyrically inspired by the anxious thoughts that one can feel when they first fall for someone special, the song’s relatable lyrics and memorable melody are accompanied by a punchy and rousing production.

“‘Stupid Perfect’ is about that initial freakout while dating a special someone that just works, but you find yourself over analysing and expecting the worst. I wrote this song based on my past experience and I know that many of us out there feel the same way about new relationships.”

Aiida’s songs have been featured on national outlets Norway ‘s NRK P3 and NRK MP3, as well as on playlists as prominent as Spotify’s Fresh Finds and New Music Friday Norway. To date, the artist has impressively amassed more than 260k catalogue streams.

Aiida plays Hotel Ziggy in West Hollywood on the 10th May – tickets can be found here.

Aiida

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New Music: Janos

Photo / Haakon Paulsen

We are beginning our weekend festivities with a brilliant slice of Scandinavian pop, courtesy of Norwegian outfit Janos.

‘DOWN LOW’ treats listeners to an uplifting and energising sonic experience, and features elements of nostalgia-tinged disco, indie and pop. Through its shimmering production, the song reminds us of the sunny days that lie ahead.

“It’s the promise of summer in a cold spring.”

While still relative newcomers, Janos have already amassed more than 150k career streams to date on Spotify, while also receiving critical acclaim from the likes of Variance Magazine, Celebmix and Earmilk.

Janos

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WIINSTON – tick in blue

It’s a big day for independent Copenhagen outfit WIINSTON, who have just unveiled a brand new single, music video and album.

Inspired by the world of social media in which we now live in, ‘tick in blue’ is taken from the duo’s freshly-released ‘THE LAST DAYTONA’ LP (out now). Sonically, the production treats listeners to a refined and melodic fusion of alternative R&B, dreamy indie and shimmering, lo-fi pop.

“Smartphones have become an extension of what it means to be human. Somehow, it seems like a generation gap is missing, where we’re trying to adapt to the wrong paradigms. Even adults are waiting for their 10 sec videos to go viral while the Arctic is melting faster than the ice cubes in their freshly mixed gin & tonic. Provocative? Sure! But we’re also well aware, that when you point the finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at you.”

As their first new album in four years, ‘THE LAST DAYTONA’ represents a new chapter in the group’s sonic evolution, as they explain:

“A lot of things have happened since our last album – both personally and creatively. We’ve been in bloom, withered again and found ourselves in the creation of what feels more powerful and right than anything we’ve ever done. This album is the perfect picture of how we currently define WIINSTON; as a genre-fluid space with no limitations.”

To date, WIINSTON have garnered praise from international outlets as respected as Kaltblut, ENFNTS Terribles and Variance Magazine, while also amassing more than fifteen million career streams on Spotify alone.

WIINSTON

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Rangleklods – Song We Used To Play

Photo / André Hansen

He’s kept up waiting for almost three years, but Danish electronic artist Rangleklods (aka Esben Nørskov Andersen) is back today with one of the most interesting releases of the week.

Experimental and intriguing in tone, ‘Song We Used To Play’ presents listeners with a refreshingly eccentric mix of electronica, indie and pop.

“It’s a song about a friendship that faded away. You move away, forget to stay in touch, and eventually the relationship is just a fond, hazy memory that you hold onto. And the lyrics, just like the friendship you look back on, are also fading away — only the melody is persistent, and remains.”

In typical Scandinavian fashion, the song seamlessly balances essences of melancholy with playfulness, and leaves us with a beautifully immersive soundscape that is really quite unique to experience.

Since the project’s debut back in 2012, Rangleklods has been praised my most global music outlets – from BBC Radio 1 and The Guardian through to The New York Times, Wonderland Magazine and The Line of Best Fit.

Rangleklods

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Helax – We Were Never Here To Stay

Helax might be a new name to the Alfitude pages, but this Berlin-based Swedish talent is in fact the brainchild behind one of our favourite Scandinavian bands, The Ghost Of Helags.

Today’s release of ‘We Were Never Here To Stay’ showcases Helax’s own solo work, and presents listeners with an experimental yet accessible style of electronic music that is euphoric and exhilarating to experience.

While we wait for some more new music from this gifted producer, be sure to check out his 2021 ‘But It Wasn’t a Dream. It Was Real.’ EP, which can be heard here.

Helax

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Knife Girl – Eat You Alive

Songwriter and producer Lili Aslo is a Finnish musical icon who has been performing under different names since 2013.

Her latest project, Knife Girl, has already taken the tastemaker world by storm. Following the release of critically acclaimed debut album ‘Uniform’ last year (listen here), Aslo is back with a deliciously bouncy pop number called ‘Eat You Alive’.

“It’s about wanting to forget about how love has hurt you for a second and giving into your dumb lust. I wouldn’t say I’m super knowledgeable about Ska but people tell me this song sounds like Ska. I think it sounds like sex. This is the last single before I begin releasing music off of my second full length album.”

Over the past year alone, Aslo’s Knife Girl project received a nomination for ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at her country’s Indie Awards, and was also awarded ‘Breakthrough Artist’ on YLEX radio.

Aslo has also been praised by outlets as noted as The Line of Best Fit, Wonderland, Earmilk, BBC Radio 1 and Finnish music magazine Soundi.

Knife Girl

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Knife Girl Finland Shows 2023

  • 06.04.2023 — Kuudes Linja, Helsinki
  • 20.04.2023 — Sellosali, Espoo
  • 08.06.2023 — Sideways Festival, Helsinki
  • 10.06.2023 — Pikipop, Oulu
  • 29.06.2023 — Provinssi, Seinäjoki
  • 25/26.08.2023 – Festivali, Tampere

New Music: Carl :Cries

We’re going to be completely honest and tell you that we have no idea who is behind Norwegian-Swedish duo Carl :Cries, but once you play their debut single, ‘On My Mind’, you’ll know exactly why we are so excited with this outfit.

Lifted from the band’s forthcoming ‘Stranger In My Bed’ EP (out 28th April, pre-save here), the song serves as a masterclass in Swedish indie-pop.

Inspired by the the traumas from a previous relationship, the track’s dark, melancholic and emotive production is nothing short of sonic perfection.

“The feeling to distract yourself and keep your eyes open, then when you close them she’s on your mind.”

Carl :Cries

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MAIH – The Movie of Us

We are quite certain that MAIH will become one of Norway’s next big pop talents, and the release of her new single only further affirms our opinion.

‘The Movie of Us’ presents listeners with a punchy sound that seamlessly fuses an uptempo electro-pop production with a pensive vocal delivery.

“‘The Movie of Us’ is a song about a love that’s nothing like the movies, but that still feels like a movie. It’s hard and frustrating, but still very real. It’s definitely a song you can both cry and dance to!”

With more than 78k streams from the release of just three singles to date, MAIH is one Nordic artist on the rise!

MAIH

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Varas – Careful What You Wish For

Photo / Lamia Karic

Alternative singer and songwriter Varas has become a regular fixture on our pages. Over the past year, we’ve seen this emerging artist release a series of singles that have not only been sonically diverse in style, but also refreshingly future-forward.

Lifted from his freshly-released ‘There You Go!’ EP (out now), ‘Careful What You Wish For’ is somewhat of an understated anthem, and treats listeners to an indie-pop sound that feels both raw and finessed in equal measures. If you grew up with the sounds of bands as iconic as The Strokes, then chances are high that you’ll love this track.

“I’ve always drawn inspiration from different styles of music. I believe I’ve always been more intrigued by other artists musical personalities, rather than their genre. I don’t believe genreless music is something I’m aiming for but if my music is difficult to define, I guess I won’t oppose that perception. The thing I do aim for is to let my personality come through, and I’d be surprised if anyone’s personality is one-sided. I contradict myself all the time, why wouldn’t my music do as well?”

Varas

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Linebug – Sideways (feat. Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg)

Acclaimed Danish indie-pop outfit Linebug return today with an interesting new collaboration featuring the Deutsche Filmorchester Babelsberg, entitled ‘Sideways’.

Written in the small German town of Zeitz, the song looks the complexities that we face in today’s world, and how easy it is for us to drift with no clear direction.

““Sideways” is a song about drifting without any steady direction – searching for identity in a world that is getting increasingly complex.”

‘Sideways’ marks an interesting point in this duo’s creative journey. Relocating from Copenhagen to the East German provinces in 2021, the musical collective of Line Bøgh and Christian Gundtoft have since then gone on to work on a new album, called ‘Fast Changing Landscapes’, which will be released on the 21st April.

Elaborating on the music video for ‘Sideways’, Bøgh explains:

“To visualise this story, Christian kind of re-animated the past of Zeitz! For this, he went treasure-hunting in the so-called ‘lost places’ in town and started sculpturing and animating all kinds of found objects. We did some experiments filming Line with stop-motion-technique, and in the end we had a strange but mesmerising portrait of a town – and a woman – drifting, hoping not to be forgotten.”

Linebug | Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg

Linebug Tour 2023

  • 19.04 – Kaffeesatz, Chemnitz
  • 20.04 – Stallwache / Westwerk, Leipzig
  • 21.04 – Garden Concert, Dresden
  • 22.04 – Walkmühle, Luckenwalde
  • 27.04 – Kulturbad, Meinberg
  • 28.04 – Samower Tea and Records, Lüneburg
  • 29.04 – Forår på havnen, Haderslev (DK)

AUTORHYTHM – Intercellular Communication

Photo / Mohamed Mire

AUTORHYTHM is a very special project that was created by artist, musician and punk bassist Joakim Forsgren.

After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015, Forsgren began work on a collection of sonic pieces under the moniker of AUTORHYTHM, called ‘Songs for the Nervous System’ (of which ‘Intercellular Communication’ is a part of).

“Autorhythmic cells function autonomously, without the need of instructions from the brain.”

The songs feature minor use of modern technology – with Forsgren opting to use audio equipment and synthesisers that are roughy aligned with his age. The resulting sound is one that is thoughtfully constructed, intelligent, and intriguing to experience.

Forsgren’s work is currently featured at Bozar in Brussels, as part of an exhibition called Swedish Ecstasy, which runs until the 21st May 2023.

AUTORHYTHM | Songs for the Nervous System

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