Scandi Sounds: 10 Scandinavian acts you need to discover!

Here's a rundown of our favourite emerging acts from Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden. Ranging from intimate Folk Pop to lively Indie Rock, there's loads to discover...

Bike Lane

Norwegian Indie-Rock five piece Bike Lane have just released the guitar driven track ‘Viva la Sunday’ which celebrates the simple joy of doing absolutely nothing.

Rejecting the modern notion of hyper-productivity, the single stays true to the bands 2000s alt-rock vibes. Introduced by catchy guitar riffs and the lyrics in the verses driving the song to the chorus, ‘Viva la Sunday’ feels somewhat empowering. The instruments and the narrators thoughts work in harmony to produce a relatable, melancholic experience when listening.

The lead’s vocals are warm and raw adding an extra layer of depth to the track. The lyrics mentioning ‘heaven’ and ‘sacred’ in the chorus contradicts the heavy guitar played throughout. The track is something you put on when dismissing any type of weekend activity, carving alone time as some sort of ritual with the religious mentions. Bike lane have certainly put themselves on the map in the Norwegian music scene with ‘Viva la Sunday’.

Words by Jasmine Butler

Kallsup

From the moment we press play on Kallsup’s latest single, ‘Kino’, we are immediately enticed, gripped by the Swedish band’s kaleidoscope of Shoegaze beauty. Beginning with a buzzing felt in every angle of our being, an infectious melody soon comes gliding in with a mysterious sleekness in its guitar powered tone. Blanketed by its dazzling haze, another guitar strums its way through with indulgent layers of reverbed synth and bass sounds, engulfing us in the instrumental fog.

Photo Credit: Mirand Fredriksson

Eline Gustafsson’s vocals are delicately sweet, glittering through the darkness of the track, a delicious eeriness that hypnotises us. Despite the plethora of sounds, the track remains cohesive in its etheeral dreaminess. Kallsup takes us to a higher place with ‘Kino’, under their spell we float to the clouds, guided by the light of celestial guitars, and a willingness to collapse into their beautiful noise. As if the track alone isn't immersing enough, Kallsup have an album coming out later this year, with ‘Kino’ being the first taste of what is to come for this new era for them.

Words by Haldana Juhl

Us

In Us’ latest single, ‘Yo-Yo Revolution’, listeners are bounced back and forth between a frenzy of Indie magnetism. Loud is the word for this blazing track as we embark on this rollercoaster of relentless Rock and Roll, where nothing about ‘Yo-Yo Revolution’ is understated. Teo Hirvonen’s vocals are expressive in its rasp, with alluring lyrics like “You’re taking me somewhere I don't understand” and “I met you last night and now you’re running my world”, capturing a cheeky essence as he gets drawn in and out from chasing a lover.

Every component, from percussion to guitar, transports you to an electric realm of Indie Sleaze, where the urgent and alarming rhythm is reminiscent of The Hives. Yet, the track is extremely dynamic, with no fixed box to place it in as it jumps around, dipping its toes in the Punk pond with its adrenaline fuelled riffs that thrust straight into the eardrums. ‘Yo-Yo Revolution’ is an undeniably bold and straight to the point track, so it is no surprise that it has been chosen as a single for Us’ upcoming album!