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Scandinavian music: new releases By Karl Batterbee
Brand-new music is here from the Icelandic band Vök – they’re out with their aptly titled latest single Illuminating. A beautifully dreamy tune with a chorus that turns the whole production into something of a torch song, it’s one of the most instantly striking – and to these ears, best – tracks they’ve released to date. Norwegian superstar Anna Of The North is back with some new music for us to enjoy – her current single Dandelion. It’s freshfaced summer pop with wistful lyrics and an upbeat production that blossoms into something special, as it unfolds before your ears, bearing repeat listens. Finnish artist Alma has returned to the airwaves with her first release since 2020’s Have You Seen Her album: new single
Everything Beautiful. This is a perfectlycrafted radio staple in the making, on which the artist serves up perhaps her most universally-palatable release so far. It has a soundscape that borders on, but intentionally never crosses over to, sonic euphoria. A newcomer on Finland’s music scene, ILON, continues a flawless run of recent singles, with her very latest Skater Girls. She’s released a nostalgic summer bop that stirs up a cocktail of aspiration, self-reflection and discontent in its lyrics. All dressed in an endearingly hummable pop melody, of course. Danish singer-songwriter Laura Druzy has just put her second single out into the world. Catching listeners’ attention with a killer pop hook, it’s Toy Boy. It ends up being
a hell of a lot of fun, effortlessly charming and one you’ll want to keep coming back to for a repeat performance – not unlike the very notion of a Toy Boy itself! www.scandipop.co.uk
Monthly Illustration
Hello, we are the Scandinavians Hello. We are the Scandinavians. We are recognised by our black, white and grey wardrobe, healthy lifestyle and lack of hospitality. We do not share food and we do not pop round unannounced for a beverage and a blether. I recently had a meeting with a woman based in Dublin. I entered the zoom waiting room at 09.58 for our 10am meeting. She let me in and asked me how I was. I triumphantly held up my cup of tea and said: “I had time to make myself a cup of tea, so I am fine. How about you? Did you manage to get a drink?” She laughed and shook her head. Then she told me that her friend used to live in Sweden and had warned her that Swedes are very punctual. So she worried that making herself a cuppa before our meeting would make her late, and somehow insult the Swede.
By Gabi Frödén
do anything at all? How does the world go round if we are not on time? And to be honest, I tend to be on time. If I’m not, I feel very anxious and must apologise until somebody gives me a hug. So… to summarise the Scandis: boring wardrobe choices, no sharing of food, no spontaneous chat... and punctuality. We sound like great fun, don’t we?
I felt a mixture of pride and deep shame. She denied herself a cup of tea on the basis of a rumour about my countryfolk. But it is true, isnt it? We are punctual people. We take pride in being on time and when people aren’t, we consider them rude and incapable. If you can’t come to a meeting on time, how in the world are you able to
Gabi Froden is a Swedish illustrator and writer, living in Glasgow with her husband and two children. Her children’s and YA books are published in Sweden by Bonnier Carlsen and Natur&Kultur. www.gabifroden.com
August 2022
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Issue 145
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87
