Tag: Sweden

Song of the Day: Miracle X – The Fur (ft. GET UP Soul Choir)

Swedish Grammy-nominated artist and producer THE FUR returns with the Christmas single ‘Miracle X’. It is a re-work of the recent single ‘Miracle’ which was co-written by guest singer Tyte (known for her work with Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige), the new version offers a fresh take on the track with festive percussion and vocals from GET UP Soul Choir adding a soul and gospel feel to the pop ballad.

With an ongoing career as a classical musician, The Fur is a dance-pop project to complement his other musical endeavours. Despite only releasing music as The Fur since June 2021, the solo artist has already smashed through one million streams on Spotify and continues his growth as an artist.

The idea behind the new single ‘Miracle X’ was to expand and elaborate on the Christmas elements in the original song ‘Miracle’, with the addition of being produced in one of Sweden’s most famous recording spaces, Baggpipe studios.

Sonically, ‘Miracle X’ is a prime example of The Fur’s ear for melodies and ability to create warming, cinematic pop soundscapes which encompass both polished pop production and live instrumentation. Layering soulful gospel vocals over two pianos playing in unison, the track instantly sets an affecting, emotive tone. As the track develops introducing bass, drums and strings courtesy of Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, the gospel undertones of the track brought largely by the GET UP Soul Choir come to the fore as the ear-worm vocal line shines.

Speaking on the new Christmas single, The Fur shares: “I felt that you could do something more Christmassy with the original song. To simply make a good contribution to Christmas music. You get really tired of all the commercial Christmas music that is played everywhere. Miracle has a Christmassy message where you ask for a miracle, but it doesn’t sound like a typical Christmas song. It feels like a song you can imagine listening to at Christmas, but it stands out a little from the crowd.”

Check out the official video for ‘Miracle X’ below…

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Manuela Iwansson Shares Debut Album ‘Dark Tracks’ & Focus Single, ‘Strangers on the Train.’

Swedish new wave punkster MANUELA IWANSSON‘s debut album ‘Dark Tracks’, out now via Lack of Sleep Records, is a long-awaited effort that is the result of almost four years of work after unveiling her self-released EP ‘Dream Lover’ in 2018. Highlighted by the 80s-esque, gritty synth-pop anthem that is focus track ‘Strangers on a Train’, the album flaunts a musical journey that takes from the callous rock stylings of the late 70s and mixes them with the new wave evolution characteristic of the Blondie era, all serving to present an alluringly dystopian listening experience that lingers on the beauty of impermanence.

‘Dark Tracks’ is unrelentingly self-explorative. Iwansson wears her heart on her sleeve for anyone to see as she belts across the ten tracks, familiarizing listeners with a darkness stemming from unmet desire and lovers lost. The album plays like a jukebox with every song standing on its own as a vintage and vigorous tour de force.

Iwansson had this to say about the fabric of the project: “The album is basically a portfolio of me. It is very much a debut album – a little rough around the edges at times, but made with a lot of heart. I put a lot of thoughts into the lyrics, and a lot of emotion into the melodies. At times I play around with words a lot, and I constantly want to improve my writing … The whole project is about 80s aesthetics with 70s punk vibes; grit, rain, cities at night, neon lights, trains, and cars, and movement; leather and lace and rock ‘n’ roll. Nothing ever looks as good as a photo booth photo in black and white.”

The Stockholm-based artist once toured the world with punk outfit Terrible Feelings but now looks at her solo career as an opportunity to make timeless new wave hits, boasting a sound inspired by influences such as Pat Benatar and Suzi Quatro yet entirely her own. With ‘Dark Tracks’, makes a point of crafting earworm hooks and choruses that work in the middle of a rowdy yet heart-wrenching punk aesthetic.

Following the release of her EP ‘Dream Lover’, Iwansson served as an opener for Orville Peck on a full European tour in 2019, simultaneously releasing a series of singles and chipping away at her debut LP over the next couple years. While hard at work in preparation for its release, she has still found her way on stage this year, opening for Viagra Boys, Molly Nilsson and Current Joys this spring.

‘Strangers on a Train’ + ‘Dark Tracks’ are now available on all streaming platforms. Have a listen below…

Must Listens: Strangers on the Train, Loving Is Easy, Dead Weight

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Song of the Day: Difficult – Lisa Conta

LISA CONTA has graced the cover of The Guardian’s Observer and the pages of British Vogue, Elle and Wonderland Magazine. She has mesmerized with her beauty and beyond her image, has remained somewhat of a mystery until now, as she is set to captivate the world with her voice via the release of her debut single.

Entitled ‘Difficult’, the track has the ambiance of grown and sexy R&B whilst being modernised by her enigmatic flair, with the help of producer JA1DA. Heightened by a rumbling bass, Lisa Conta finds her own voice and balances vulnerability with assertiveness as she contemplates the fine line between lust and a relationship. Assured in her ability not to fall in love with potential, the track zooms in on emotional highs and lows and whilst recognizing her desires, Lisa remains self-empowered and unwilling to settle for anything that doesn’t deliver or have depth.

A poetic balance of raw and honest emotion, ‘Difficult’ has an air of melancholy as chilly blues and sultry warmth are wound together in a relatable, remarkable record that sees her take ownership over her part in a relationship. The sincerity of the slow burning R&B track reveals a deep and strong character that exposes chinks of sensitivity and vulnerability – the human behind her image which has been viewed the world over.

Of Swedish-Gambian decent, Lisa resides in London and is signed to leading modelling agency ‘Storm Models’. Whilst initially dreaming of a career in pro-basketball, it has been her calling as a model and singer/songwriter that has determined her course. Surrounded by a musical family that includes her grandfather, ‘The Singing Prince’ of Gambia, and her own father Eddie Conta, it was inevitable that Lisa would too, someday, find her own voice.

Delivering shades of experience, and an exquisite musical palette, Lisa Conta shares her debut single ‘Difficult’ to the world…

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Uprising Star Nápoles Shares Brand New Single,’Circulate’

Photo Credit: Elle Johnson

Coming on the back of the success of her debut single ‘Slowzy’, which has been garnering support from the likes of BBC 1Xtra, Rinse FM, Spotify, DSTNGR, Kingsize Magazine, and PUMA, fast-rising Swedish songstress and creative NÁPOLES circles back for the release of her brand new single,  ‘Circulate’, the second offering from her forthcoming debut EP ‘Slowin It’, slated for release later this summer.

Produced by fellow Swedish creatives Chapee and Wihib Sulaiman, and co-written by herself and Joe Lefty, ‘Circulate’ sees Nápoles making full use of her intoxicatingly enchanting vocals which weaves throughout a captivating fusion of soul jazz, R&B and hip-hop.

Alongside her blossoming music career, Nápoles is also one-third of the popular Swedish-based DJ and creative collective Ladieslovehiphop, with whom she has opened for Beyonce and Jay-Z on their ‘On The Run II’ European tour, collaborated with adidas and PUMA, toured with Sweden’s biggest female rapper Silvana Imam, and collaborated with Red Bull Music to host the Ladieslovehiphop Music Festival, among other accomplishments.

This is too good to pass up…have a listen to ‘Circulate’ below…

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Janos Shares Self-Empowerment Single, ‘Sicky/Sticky’.

JANOS starts 2020 with brand new single, ‘Sicky/Sticky’ which incorporates elements of the Swedish born/London based artist’s new found love for jazz and soul.

His latest infectious effort has been a huge crowd pleaser at live performances for its uplifting feel good vibe, is the first track to be recorded with a horn section. The big, bold brass sound, along with soulful vocals and funky guitars riffs, creates the ultimate groove-fuelled track.

‘Sicky/Sticky’ – which strongly installs his message of strength and self-empowerment – narrates trying to hide from your worries with drugs and alcohol, while still hoping it’s not too late to reach your dreams.

Have a listen to ‘Sicky/Sticky’ below…

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