A refreshingly original sound from Norwegian 3-piece outfit Orions Belte. Their trademark style of blending underground pop, psych, rhythmic instrumentation and world music creates a mysterious yet infectious mix of sounds which are totally mesmerising to experience.
“We feel like we have a really strong connection between us. That’s why we can write stuff on the fly and record whole songs in one take and use all the parts from all three of us.” – Blomstrøm, Orions Belte
‘Rocking with You’ is without a doubt my favourite release from Norway this month. Self-described as ‘space pop’, Whammyboy brings a unique approach to music making that feels emotionally charged yet dreamy and psychedelic at the same time.
A sound that is so deeply atmospheric and emotive, this track blends Norwegian RnB and dark pop together to create something truly intense.
This gorgeous new collaboration from Danish talent KOPS and Norwegian songstress Emelie Hollow is a truly Scandinavian affair. It was written in Stockholm, taken to Oslo for Emelie’s contribution and finally finished in Copenhagen.
“This is a song about that one person in your life who can’t be replaced. Your mom or dad, an ex, a good old drinking buddy, your math teacher in high school or the guy at the grocery store – that special someone, who eventually came into your life and changed it. If this song was a movie, I guess it’d be a proper tear jerker! Well, at least, I got emotional writing it and having Emelie singing the words with me literally made it the emotional pop anthem, I think we both hoped it would be.” – KOPS
An eclectic blend of lo-fi, bedroom & dream pop, mixed with elements of neo-soul; creating a sound that is refreshingly unique and totally charming.
“It’s made to portrait the simple state of a child, being friends with his own shadow.”
“The inspiration behind the track is more or less about a free-minded person living in a square narrow-minded society, having trouble facing false values and time, etc.”
Taken from the debut EP which is out on 26th March.
With over 170 million streams, Ruben seems to be that one Norwegian artist that the rest of the world still has yet to catch up with.
Could this be the song to change things? I certainly hope so; every release from this talent has been pure Scandi-pop perfection.
Norwegian pop powerhouse Dagny joins forces with super-producers Rat City to create an anthem for female empowerment that feels so mightily epic that it’s sure to be one of the biggest releases to come out of the Scandinavian country this month.
“I wrote “Bad” in Stockholm with Gustav Nyström and Hilda Stenmalm, before I went into the studio with Rat City who really helped bring the song to life. For me, the song is about finally standing up for yourself and being strong and bold in a challenging situation. It’s quite a dramatic song and lyric, which is quite the opposite of what I am, but sometimes it’s fun to be a more extreme version of yourself when you write.”
A Norwegian outfit consisting of twins Maren and Charlotte, who are currently creating some of the sharpest pop to emerge from the nation.
The duo’s songs are inspired by being young and questioning the world we live in, delving into topics of identity, mental health, being underestimated and finding confidence in yourself. On ‘Neon Lights’ they say:
“It does not show much mercy, and has a raw feeling of anger and realisation to it. The song expresses disappointment of someone not being who they seemed to be.”
Taken from the forthcoming EP ‘Sugarcoat’ which is due later this year.
An American-Norwegian duo who fuse together the best of 80’s synth with 90’s Scandinavian music to create a fresh and highly-charged take on power-pop.
“It’s like The Weeknd met Sam Smith at a bar and after talking for a bit, they both realised that ABBA was their karaoke go-to and they grew up listening to Sigur Ros during their angsty teenage years.”
A decade later and Norwegian talent Bernhoft still creates some of the most refreshing blends of soul and indie-pop you could wish for.
One of Norway’s brightest pop prospects returns with a finessed piece of highly charged power-pop.
“The lyrics place me in the centre of a huge stadium surrounded by spectators. It’s just before I’m going to run a relay race and I’m regretting signing up for it. I wanted that imagery to mirror the insecurity I sometimes feel for my own appearance and the constant comparison/ competition I have towards myself and others around me. I have a specific idea on how I’d like to be seen, but often that idea falls through with the reality.” – Lokoy
Taken from the upcoming debut album ‘badminton’ which is out on 22nd January via Propeller Recordings.
The Norwegian pop sensation of the year closes 2020 with a beautifully constructed and atmospheric pop ballad.
One of the most epic pieces of Scandinavian pop that I have experienced so far this week, from one of Norway’s biggest names.
Taken from the album ‘HARD FEELINGS’ which is out now.
I genuinely believe that there is no other song like this new one from Norwegian talent Farida out there right now.
Self-described as ‘country pop with a rocky image’, the track feels sleek, minimal and understated, then leads to a chorus that comes with an excellent twist that is well worth listening to.
“The song is about the singer being the villain for being inconsiderate and ego in a relationship.”
Norway’s Elise Eriksen lends some stunning vocals on Shoffy’s new track, which is a slice of chilled disco that is immediately loveable.
A new talent hailing from Norway who blends punchy pop with synth tones to create something that feels retro yet current in equal measures.
One of the finest Scandinavian indie-pop songs you will hear all winter. Hailing from Oslo and now based in London, this four-piece outfit create emotive sounds that show fragility and vulnerability through a dreamy and beautifully structured musical landscape.
The strings on the track come from The Parallax Orchestra, who have also worked with Clean Bandit, Eminem and Dermot Kennedy.
