I lost count of how many times I’ve featured Swedish talent LOVA on Alfitude, which is a testament to how much I love this kid’s raw and honest approach to pop making.
Today marks the release of her debut album ‘Grown-ish‘, and with it this single to whet your appetite. On the album, LOVA says:
“For the first time, I wrote for myself. I asked myself, ‘What are people going through?’ I wanted it to be very much like a diary and very personal. It was therapeutic for me, and the title resonated with where I am in my life. It’s a way to show every side of me. All of the songs are creating the story, but the album is also what made the songs. I’m excited to be able to go back to it in ten years and reminisce how I felt during this time.”
Blending blues and country with a pounding pop twist, Dylan Conrique releases visuals for her latest track featuring Swedish singer-songwriter Noak Hellsing.
I make no secret of how awesome I think Zara Larsson is – she’s established herself as a Swedish pop powerhouse in an exceptionally short space of time. This release was produced by Mike Sabath and features a melodic verse from Young Thug.
It wouldn’t be a normal week on Alfitude without showcasing some stellar new pop from Sweden.
So let me introduce to you Stockholm-based Filip Groundstroem, who creates a sound that defines introspectiveness within youth in a way that feels relatable and engaging.
“This song is about being young, lost and having no idea about what you want to do with your short time here on planet Earth. As a young person, you’re constantly on the quest for who you are and how to fit into the box. You try different jobs, hang out with different people in different environments, but still struggle to see yourself in the bigger picture.”
Taken from the EP ‘Boy on the Moon’ which is out now via Sailor Music.
Saint Djuni start the year in a truly epic fashion, serving us a rich dose of indie pop with an orchestral twist that harks back to the golden era of Trip Hop.
The result is a dreamy piece of escapism that is an ode to anyone who’s longing to start over in life.
“In the end, we all carry love. And that love starts at your Favorite Place.”
With a new EP on the way, Mountain Bird releases a sublime piece of electronic pop that feels intensely dark, dramatic and atmospheric.
The track looks at our relationship with technology and how it impacts our mental health, and hopes for change.
“Will we be able to solve this? Will we unify and create better solutions and work together with technology to not only be more efficient but to feel good mentally?”
This release from Swedish newcomer IZHAV delights and rewards you with every second you listen. It’s a blend of indie-folk and pop that begins with vulnerability and fragility and ends in a euphoric tone that leaves you wanting more.
“Getting stuck in darkness is not an unusual thing for us humans. When it’s too hard to climb alone, and almost impossible to even see the reason why. ‘Catch The Sun’ represents that outer force/ person/ animal that doesn’t allow it to keep going like that. Instead it pulls, fights and struggles to remind you that all the beauty is out there, just waiting to be seen by.”
One of the hardest-working talents from the Swedish music scene, Robin Stjernberg returns today with a sweetly melancholic love song that feels both cinematic and emotionally charged.
Stjernberg’s talents have not only been limited to being a singer in his own right – he’s also written and produced music for the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Sandro Cavazza, Estraden, Anna Bergendahl, Jill Johnson and Steps.
The Swedish indie-pop outfit are back with a song that could have easily come from the mid 90’s UK Britpop scene, and yet somehow it still feels mega fresh.
This song from Swedish pop starlet MIYNT is as playful and eccentric as the title would suggest. The track flirts between psychedelic indie-pop and trip hop to create a feeling of euphoria that is so refreshing to hear.
“‘A bite of papaya’ is the result of a slow disco jam and too much fruit.”
Swedish singer-songwriter Dennis Sjöström, also known as The Hollow Men, has been on my radar for a short while now. This indie-folk talent crafts songs so beautifully simple and honest at their core that they immediately draw you in.
A perfect balance of indie-pop and rock from Stockholm-based multi-instrumentalist singer and songwriter Viktor Spasov. The track feels raw and emotive yet engaging and fun at the same time.
“This is a modern love story about trying to get over somebody while constantly checking their Facebook, feeling miserable and watching all your friends get married.”
Already a prolific songwriter and featured artist who has worked with the likes of Icona Pop, Kaiser Chiefs, Mike Perry and Becky G, EEVA has close to 100 million streams as it is.
Now with the release of her new banger ‘Out of You’, this Swede is well on her way to becoming one of the country’s most exciting new pop exports.
Stockholm based recording artist Ryk has an interesting approach to indie-pop that incorporates dramatic and intricate musical textures with captivating lyricism. It’s a sound that is like none other, and an experience from start to finish.
Taken from the debut EP ‘PARASITE FUTURE’ which will be out on the 5th February 2021.
“‘Pity Party” is about a party getting way out of hands. When it’s 4 am, everyone’s wasted, and no one can nor want to stand for their actions anymore. People sleeping in your parents’ bed, someone is fighting in the kitchen, you puke but get up and drink more. Even though you kind of enjoy letting go of everything for a night you still feel very anxious about being the one responsible. Everything just starts to feel like a joke and at the end you start feeling sorry for yourself. The birthday party turned into a pity party!”
Taken from the outstanding new EP ‘Pity Party’ which is out now.