Some of the catchiest EDM pop you’ll likely hear this week, courtesy of the 21-year old Dutch DJ & producer Anthony Dircson, and vocals from Swedish mega talent ISA.
“‘Know Me Better’ is about after a break up when your ex still is keeping you on a leash, letting you close when they feel like it, and abandoning you the other day. You’ve come to a point where it doesn’t matter what lies this person throws at you. You know you deserve better and that you’ll be fine on your own.”
While lockdown has hampered with all of our summer plans this year, hearing releases like this by Swedish outfit Violet Days make things feel a little better.
I’ve featured Örnsberg a couple of times on here through the years. The Swedish talent has created a deliciously mellow electro-pop sound with a sexy vibe on this release.
Another week, and another trademark, flawlessly produced piece of Scandinavian pop.
Sweden-born singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Maja Kristina has already amassed nearly 10 million streams to date with a sound that feels both powerful and emotive while still encapsulating a sense of youth.
“My music is meant to tell a story. It’s almost as if you’re having a conversation with a close friend. Everything I write is like that – no matter if it’s about heartbreak, jealously, love, or anything. I write in the same way I talk. I’m discussing the smallest things in life that you’d only discuss with the people closest to you.”
“Such a sadness in your eyes, now you’re looking down, you try your hardest not to show it. I can’t hold you, give you hope, ‘cause I’m not coming home.”
Swedish RnB continues to thrive, in part, thanks to The Endorphins with their consistent ability to create premium cuts like this one ‘Home’.
“Our music is all about inducing endorphins. It’s about love, friendship, clubs, parties, and sex. We wanna bring good vibes, with a touch of future RnB. The vibe of our songs is influenced by the good vibes that were floating around NYC in the 70’s – that escape from reality that the disco era was built upon.”
“Recently, quarantine and everything going on in the world, pushed me to rethink, reflect and process old crap attached to the stressful normal life. ‘Say Yes’ is a high-frequency song that works as a reminder to myself, and hopefully to others, to pause, breathe and live in the present.”
Swedish talent Adam Wallin returns today with a summery release that balances an electro-pop sound with some influences from the 80’s.
A trio who are crafting some of the most engaging, playful indie pop that I have heard emerge from their native Sweden for some time.
Having recently graduated from Musikmakarna (one of Sweden’s biggest music institutions), Sanna Martinez has already begun crafting her name as a talent who’s both a singer and song writer.
This release is an immediately arresting and shimmering blend of Swedish synth and disco. You’ll also hear some influences of Halsey, Zara Larsson and Ariana Grande on the track too, which is pure pop bliss.
Benjamin Ingrosso’s new release is kitsch defined – it’s very retro and cheesy, but I think the world needs some of that right now.
”Musically, ‘Shampoo’ is inspired by old cuban 70’s music, and is very playful, organic and based on feeling! It’s about how you’re preparing for an upcoming date, but you’re just standing in the shower, thinking about all the things you have to do but you never get to it…”
The fun Anglo-Swede duo return today with another slice of playful pop. This time we are treated to a fun and introspective take on being a millennial.
“‘Millennial’ is a sarcastic, yet honest self-portrait of our generation. We sing about nostalgic memories, which are relevant to so many, like old mobile phones and TV channels like Vh1 and MTV. And we want people to dance to it! It has been said many times that my generation is privileged and self-centered. ohFrank embraces that wholeheartedly!”
Robin Stjernberg
Swedish pop newcomer Efraim Leo is back with another dance-pop track that’s catchy as hell and perfect for the summer.
“She’s one of them girls that everyone wants to be with. Ultimately, she will break my heart.”
Ramverk comprises of Swedes Hugo Therkelson and Alex Maksic, two former professional dancers who met in their youth as students at The Royal Swedish Ballet School. With that in mind, this is a richly atmospheric and textured sound that feels almost more like a creative statement piece than indie-electro.
“Dance and music are two separate forces that both claim their space. It’s always interesting to see how the two worlds connect and getting it just right isn’t always easy.”
Singer songwriter Chris Samuels is a 22-year old, Stockholm-based Swedish-American talent who is a recent Rytmus graduate (a globally renowned Swedish music school that is responsible for talents like Tove Lo and Icona Pop). Added to that, he is also a producer and multi-instrumentalist.
The sound itself is a finely balanced blend of acoustic, blues, brass and subtle indie tones. On the other side though, we also experience a mellow, yet experimental and glitchy production on ‘Separation Anxiety (Interlude)’.
Melancholy and heart break are the main theme on this new single from Swedish talent LOVA. I fall in love with this kid more and more with each release.
“All you want to do is to call this person and act like everything is how it used to be. But you are no longer that person who makes him feel at his best or who he wants to spend all his time with, which was something that was really hard for me to come to terms with.”
“You may think you did everyone right in your past relationships, but you might as well have been the villain in their world. There are always two sides of a coin. I may have also done wrong and my ex probably doesn’t think I have been an angel in all situations.”
Keep an eye on Milwin (if you manage to keep your head steady from all the bopping you’ll likely do when you play this track)…
With over 5 million combined streams and 300K+ monthly listeners on Spotify, this is one Swede on a serious trajectory.
“’Kill The Lights’ is one of my favourite songs that I have produced, it has that funky/ groovy vibe combined with a nice melody. I always love working with Philip, he has such an amazing voice and has the rhythm in his soul. Turn up the volume and kill the lights!”
A personal favourite, I have always felt that Amanda Fondell has consistently brought us a high level of Swedish pop through the years.
She returns today with a new EP and I legit can’t tell you one song that I dislike. Give the whole thing a spin; each song has so much character that I’m quite sure you’ll enjoy what you hear.
“I wanted to release an EP where every song got a different episode. The songs highlights reflections and opinions that I’ve been thinking a little bit too much on lately. From my deepest thoughts – to dance vibes. I wanted to make a fusion between a happy and light soundscape with darker lyrics.“
