Emerging from Norway is newcomer Hanna Emilie. New single ‘Stay Numb’ is subtly quirky, while still maintaining a strong pop sensibility that is as polished and sleek as you’d expect from Nordic music productions.
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One of the most impressive indie releases of the month comes from emerging Norwegian artist Hannah Storm.
Once that first chorus kicks in on her powerful new single ‘House of Cards’, you’ll find it hard to not have this song on repeat all day. This fusion of indie and pop-rock is some of the finest you’ll experience from Scandinavia right now.
“As long as I can keep making lots of music and live the life I am living now, it will be the best I could have imagined.”
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Alex and The Alpacas is a 22-year-old Nicaraguan-Norwegian artist and producer, currently crafting some of the most charming blends of indie, rock and lo-fi pop to emerge from Norway.
Produced, written and performed solely by Alex himself, new single ‘Adorable’ is an understated slice of bliss that affirms this Oslo-based talent is one to watch.
“The lyrics of ‘Adorable’ are ironic, and the beat has a video-game-like characteristic. To me this gives the song a feeling of being on top of the world and a sense of carelessness, like on the day you finally get over someone.”
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Emerging from Norway comes 17-year old artist Ea Othilde. Inspired by the likes of Elliott Smith, PJ Harvey and early Bon Iver, this talent crafts a captivating indie sound that feels sincere, emotive and immensely captivating.
“‘I Couldn’t Be There’ is a little indie rock tune about all the things you want to do, all the places you want to go, everything and everyone that’s out of reach. It’s the sound of time slipping through your fingers, the soundtrack of roads leading nowhere.”
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Norwegian musician Monica Birkenes, aka Mr Little Jeans returns today with the superb ‘Better with You’.
The song was written about the exhilarating early stages of a relationship, and speaks to Birkenes’ symbiosis with her co-writers, Drew McFaddenand Leon Jean-Marie”
“I’m at my most creative and honest when I’m writing with people I know and trust. It also helps if I can boss them around and be vocal about what I want, which is what I did most days.”
Taken from the forthcoming project ‘Better Days’ which is out on 3 June 2022 via Nettwerk.
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Adding further to Norway’s already-impressive roster of pop talent, today marks the debut for newcomer Oh Blonde.
Showcasing some of the finest new music that Scandinavia has to offer right now, ‘If I See You’ is slow-burning banger that is subtly melancholic and heartfelt in essence.
“This song was written with fellow Norwegian artist, Elsie Bay and producer Ola Frøyen. It came along in a studio session where I poured my heart out about a difficult time in my life where relations changed and some ended. I had been wanting to write about it forever, but never managed to do in a way that felt right until this session. The song is about closure in a way, and the fact that with time things sort itself out.”
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Norwegian duo Beach of Diamonds return with an anthemic slice of pop-punk in the form of new single ‘Can’t Wait’.
The nostalgic song reminisces about young teenage love, and being too shy to stand up for the love of your life.
Taken from the forthcoming mini-EP, which is due to drop soon via Sailor Music.
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Track of the week. Norwegian artist Ponette has rapidly shown herself to be one of the Nordic nation’s most promising new talents recently.
With a production that is stripped-back and relatively subdued, ‘Losing Me’ is a mesmerisingly moving song that is immediately captivating.
Emerging newcomer Skøien is a Swedish born, Danish-Norwegian artist who is rapidly gaining traction thanks to an impressive fusion of dark pop and alt-R&B.
This is a sound that is sleek, well-constructed and thoughtfully produced – making Skøien one Scandinavian talent to watch out for in 2022.
Undoubtedly one of my favourite emerging Norwegian talents, Jonathan Floyd continues to impress with his dark take on R&B-pop.
Hailing from the Norwegian city of Bergen comes Gard Read. Introduced to the music industry from the age of sixteen, this artist’s musical inspirations range from James Blake and Labrinth to The Weeknd.
“Music helps me speak about things that can be hard to talk about. Through my songs I’m able to find the words to admit when something hurts.”
With an impressive take on power-pop, Read’s new single ‘All We Can Do’ presents intensities of emotion that only Scandinavians seem translate into music so seamlessly.
Alternative pop mastermind girl in red shares the Jared Hogan-directed music video for her latest single ‘I’ll Call You Mine’, taken from the critically acclaimed debut album ‘if i could make it go quiet’.
Already amassing 1.6 billion career streams to date, the Norwegian singer-songwriter is undisputedly Scandinavia’s latest big new music export.
She embarks on her biggest ever headlining US tour in March 2022, joined by special guest Holly Humberstone.
Now commanding close to 200,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone, it’s safe to say that indie singer and songwriter Alann8h has begun her ascent to musical stardom.
Today she releases new EP ‘Apollo8’, and with it comes the stunning lead single ‘Rings of Saturn’. Talking about the EP, she says:
“The overarching theme of the EP is outer space, longing, and change. I found myself constantly looking up at the sky at night and feeling humbled and fascinated by many different thoughts that inspired a lot of the lyrics on the EP. The introspective EP includes many different aspects of my mind and each song has its own unique sound to it allowing something for everyone’s ears. The sounds vary from acoustic guitar to lo-fi and alternative beats. This EP allowed me to work with other artists from around the world who I love. One track has UK artist Feux and another was co-produced by indie artist Jimi Somewhere. I’ve been sitting on this EP for a while and have been so excited to share it with the rest of the world, so I truly hope you enjoy what you hear, sit back relax and get ready to blast off.”
‘Apollo 8’ which is out now.
Norwegian outfit IMGfound craft a style of music that blends multiple genres together in a very organic and compelling way.
With elements of alt-hip hop, hyperpop and ambient, ‘Eversnow’ is a refreshingly unique sound that takes you on a very special sonic journey.
“Since we’re a duo we often open up and talk about what we feel at the moment, which often impacts the theme of the songs we make. This song in a lot of ways a journey the same way we felt we’ve been through. Here in Norway the winters get very cold and brings you in a special state of mind and we think this song can speak to that in people.”
It seems as though Norway’s rap scene is beginning to gain momentum beyond the Nordic nation, and with good reason.
Haider Raja is yet another superb emerging talent who’s approach to the genre is refreshingly fun and engaging.
One of Norway’s most interesting talents returns with a song that balances hip hop with R&B and soul in the most beautiful way imaginable.
If you’ve yet to experience Ivan Ave’s music, you really ought to give this Scandinavian artist’s catalogue a listen.
Track of the week. SUNSET 18 is a collaboration between emerging artists (and best friends), CCA Jonas and 8lanco. Having met at school in the Norwegian city of Bergen, these two talents bonded over their creative ambitions.
As each of them has already garnered significant traction on their own merits, it’s looking like the SUNSET 18 project could well take them on to achieving international mainstream attention.
“‘CHANEL’ is about a fight between the two of us. We’re fighting over a girl and discussing who wants her more. The girl is a metaphor for a grammy, so in reality we’re fighting for a chance at our dreams. We want people to feel the special dynamic between us in CHANEL!”
Norwegian triple-threat Andrea returns today with an ode to 90’s music which is sure to win this talent a whole new legion of fans.
The singer, songwriter and producer connected with Carl-Viktor (Guttormsen) and Jørn Erik (Gundhus) to create this Big Bang of a song. ‘Body Talk’ consists of a handful of acoustic guitar, a spoonful of Moog bass and a sprinkle of Spanish.
Norwegian artist Moyka comes full circle today with the release of debut album ‘The Revelations of Love’ and its lead single, ‘When.’
This stunning electro pop song juxtaposes melancholic vocals with a euphoric beat, and is a perfect example of just why Moyka has established herself as one of the Nordic nations’ most promising starlets.
“To me, love is the most important feeling of them all. It’s so existential ‘cause it’s what I think makes us human. Last year hit us so hard. I felt a lot of grief and sadness because of everything that happened in the world and in my life. As a person who feels a lot intensely, it’s hard to not feel overwhelmed by everything. One thing that kind of woke up the flame in me again, was music that reminded me there is hope to feel good again. To feel love again.”
‘The Revelations of Love’ is out now.
One of Norway’s most impressive talents of late, Emilie Adams continues to push the boundaries of electro-pop with ‘Gone’. This is a subtly intense and moving track that holds your attention from start to finish.
“Music and melody is important. But the lyrics are even more important. To me. My lyrics are personal, conveying my experiences, feelings and thoughts.”
The ‘Gone’ EP is out now.
