#scandipop

Even Smaller Spotify Artists That I Think Deserve More Publicity (<100,000 monthly listeners)

Though I can’t say that I’ve ever had an obsession with mermaids, I did grow up quite fond of films like Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and 80s classic Splash. Be The Bear, the fiercely independent female artist and producer from Sweden who cast an icy bewitching spell on us last year with Erupt, is back with her glacial enchantment and euphonious, crystalline pop on a complexly constructed song named Mermaid. The art pop artist commands our attention and enthralls our ears in a dulcet sparkling way reminiscent of artists like Oh Land, Bjork, and AURORA. Christina Wehage, the powerhouse musician behind Be The Bear (and also the owner of Gothenburg-based label Loud Attic), originally wrote Mermaid for a friend who was going through a dark time, but it’s really a love song to anyone who struggles with mental illness. She consoles us and lifts us up with her aria, which arrives during Mental Health Awareness Month. Christina explains that the titled "Mermaid" comes from "the imagery from H.C. Andersen’s Danish folktale, the original Little Mermaid. Did you know, in the original story she sacrificed herself for love, and ended up becoming a whisper on the wind? Mermaids don’t have eternal souls, but she finds out how she can acquire one, and spends 300 years doing good deeds with other ‘Daughters of the Air.’” Mermaid is out now, here.

ionnalee’s REMEMBER THE FUTURE

Junior Brielle - Love

Here's a statement: The Swedish Goddess can do no wrong and since Sweden rejected her, I reckon Australia should bloody boycott our atrocious pick and we should take her and this fucking phenomenal song to represent Australia in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest! #loreen #statements #eurovision #sweden #pop #clubbanger #loveit #darkpop #scandipop #itsfuckingphenomenal #sorrynotsorry #swedishgoddess

Candied sass abounds on I Can Do Better, an irresistible anthem of empowerment from Swedish pop siren LOVA. As before, the poised musician seems to wed the snappy melodiousness of Sigrid with the verdantly layered pop luxuriance of Julia Michaels on the addictive, magniloquent ballad. The rising 20-year-old international pop singer and songwriter expresses her frustration with today’s society and the idea that women are expected to live in the shadow of men. Bombastic beats join vibrant acoustic guitar as her voice snaps with elastic verses and an engaging chant. LOVA comments: “‘I Can Do Better’ is mostly talking to the ‘Male Boss’ the ‘Alpha man’ and the society as a whole. With ‘I Can Do Better’ I’m saying that I’m tired of living in the shadow of men. I’m tired of men telling me what to do and how to do things. I don’t need no man to fix things for me, talk on my behalf or to pay for my dinner. We can clearly take care of ourselves and we should get far more credit and recognition for our achievements and knowledge than what we do in today’s society." I Can Do Better is a preview from a forthcoming new EP, one which LOVA calls  “a voice for all the strong but incredibly tired women, a call for the world’s attention and a call to all men”. 

Heartbreak pop reaches great heights of moving beauty on ‘romance is dead’, a gorgeous song from Norwegian starlet iris. With her crystalline voice and a gently tugging, softly pulling sonic atmosphere, she quickly makes us fall head over heels for her heartfelt pop on the tenderly longing aria. iris’ silvery voice channels Lykke Li, while the chiffon moments on ‘romance is dead’ fuses Wet and Shura with Sigrid. The stunning newcomer plans to release a debut EP entitled ‘a sensitive being’ on April 10th. After linking up with producer Couros Sheibani for a song like ‘romance is dead’, we can’t help but look forward to the release. Stream/download ‘romance is dead’, here.