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.
Hailing from Norway, 21-year old independent artist Ash Olsen has already been picking up attention since the release of her 2020 single ‘KITKAT’, with praise coming from the likes of NRK P3 and P3X.
With a highly unique approach to rap, this artist is one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the Nordic region of late, and well worth keeping an eye out for. On new song ‘VIBE KILLER’ she says:
“My girl killed my vibe right before I hit the studio, so I went in with good inspiration. PS. don’t be a vibe killer.”
Norwegian MC Pasha has been steadily building a global fanbase ever since NME highlighted him as one of the most promising artists in the world back in 2017.
Since then he’s sold out shows, had regular listings on Norwegian national radio P3, and been featured on respected tastemaker publications like Clash and Highsnobiety.
Produced by Mogilla and Pluto, ‘Bad Trips’ delivers a chilled atmosphere lifted by bass riffs, rhythmic guitars and a hook that easily makes you wanna sing along.
A melancholic pop anthem from Norwegian starlet Torine. ‘Olivia’ is modern-day heartbreak song with a raw edge that perhaps many of us can connect with!
“Music has helped me through some difficult times during my life, and my biggest desire is that my music can do the same for other people”.
Delivering a hugely exciting approach to pop, Norwegian talent Sassy 009 creates dark and richly atmospheric soundscapes that are not only conceptual and captivating but also spellbindingly intriguing.
Already somewhat of a star in Norway thanks to a committed legion of TikTok followers, Emma Schneider is also a talented singer and songwriter.
‘Are You Kidding Me?’ is an LGBTQ pop bop with a simple melody and catchy lyrics that tell of a universal dilemma when we are sometimes in love.
A truly stunning debut release from Norwegian songwriter BUKVE. By thoughtfully fusing elements of indie-pop with alternative pop, this talent creates melodic pieces of music that have an almost ethereal essence to them.
Featuring vocals and steel guitar from Firewoodisland, ‘Let me go Son’ is deeply moving song about letting a father go – not letting his death linger in his life anymore, while also speaking to his son and telling him live his own life.
A fabulously refreshing collaboration between emerging Oslo-based ensemble GiddyGang and South-African/Norwegian MC Vuyo.
‘Told Me’ seamlessly blends hints of hip-hop, jazz, RnB and indie to form a song that is deliciously captivating, playful and hugely uplifting.
“It’s a little love song dedicated to my best friend and the journey from first getting to know each other to where we are today.” – Sarah Nærø Pettersenfor, GiddyGang
“I wanted to take an unconventional approach to a love song. I wrote it like I was a start-up and I wanted my crush to buy into my elevator pitch.” – Vuyo
Norwegian alt-pop artist Hanne Mjøen has really been spoiling us with her recent run of singles, all of which have been some of the finest to emerge from Scandinavia so far this year.
And today is no exception with the release of ‘Emotional Fever’. This melancholy electro-pop masterpiece tells of the emotional battles between deciding whether someone is right for you or not. Mjøen describes the fever as:
“One moment it feels like forever, and the next you get a panic attack and you just want to leave. And it feels like a fever because of the sudden changes you have no control over.”
Taken from the upcoming EP ‘Emotional Fever’ which will be released in mid-September.
A master of many talents, Charlotte Dos Santos is an independent producer, singer, composer and arranger.
After listening to ‘Away From You’, it’s little surprise to learn that this Norwegian Grammy Award nominee has already garnered over 20 million streams, earned recognition from the likes of Fader, Pitchfork, and Pigeons & Planes, and recorded a coveted COLORS session.
“I wanted to write an uplifting track after such a heavy year and especially after really longing for dancing, and being outside with friends and loved ones.”
A stripped-back yet hugely catchy mix of lo-fi pop and indie from a new Norwegian talent.
A new Norwegian duo who have blended mellow indie-pop with subtle hip hop tones in the most finessed way you could imagine.
It wouldn’t feel right to go by a whole week on Alfitude without featuring a Norwegian pop banger.
This time it’s the turn of PLENTY, who’s single ‘For Now’ is a dark and broody club number that serves as a day dream about wanting someone for a moment, but not forever.
Indie-pop from one of Norway’s most exciting new talents of late. ‘Firm Foundation’ serves as a welcome return for SOFIA, with the legendary Coucheron on production duties.
Track of the week. I didn’t ever think I would have a specific girl in red song be a favourite (since each release has been excellent to date), but I think ‘body and mind’ might be it.
“It’s that dissonance between your mind and who you are as a person… Sometimes it’s really hard to grasp that we’re actually just humans, even though we take that shit for granted every day. We walk around, eat our breakfast, eat our dinner, we’re talking to people. ‘Body And Mind’ was an outlet to express that I’ve gotten a deeper understanding of what it is to be human. Seeing what happens to your body but you don’t feel that happening to your body – it’s just a really weird thing.”
Taken from the critically acclaimed debut album ‘if i could make it go quiet’ which is out now.
