The Swedes are coming...the Swedes are...here already!

mxpmusicxchange
Oct 12, 2014
3 min read

Is Stockholm, Sweden today's version of 90's grunge era Seattle, Washington? Before you scoff and say "surely not", let's take a closer look. Back in the early 90's new artists were popping up out of Seattle left and right...bands/artists that had been established for a while and were just waiting for that big break and new bands/artists that were propelling music away from LA glam metal that was ruling the airwaves. Now, we're not saying that the music coming out of Sweden is going to revolutionize music in the same way the Seattle scene did...but we are saying there is some incredible music coming out of Stockholm and Sweden in general that deserves your attention. Here are some of the players to keep your eyes and ears open for...

Avicii - An EDM DJ, remixer, and record producer, Avicii ranked 3rd on DJ Magazine's annual Top 100 DJs in 2012 and 2013 and has been nominated twice for a Grammy Award. You're most likely already familiar with his huge hit "Wake Me Up" that featured Aloe Blacc on vocals (it was hard not to hear as it seemed to be everywhere...radio, commercials, sporting events...) and have probably also heard "Hey Brother", "Sunshine" with David Guetta, "Levels", "You Make Me" featuring Salem Al Fakir, "Addicted to You" featuring Audra Mae, and "Lay Me Down" featuring Adam Lambert & Nile Rodgers. In addition to that, his producer credits include work with Coldplay, Wyclef Jean, and Robbie Williams among others. RIYL: Calvin Harris, Zedd, Bastille, David Guetta, Ellie Goulding, Martin Garrix, Kaskade, Alex Clare...

Tove Lo - You may have already noticed we have somewhat of an obsession with Tove Lo, the Stockholm, Sweden singer, songwriter, and musician. We had the chance to see her live in Boston on her first ever solo US tour (after previously being the opening act for Katy Perry) and were thoroughly impressed. We were equally impressed with her debut EP 'Truth Serum' (released in March of this year) and debut full-length 'Queen Of The Clouds' that was released at the end of September. Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've most likely heard her smash hit song "Habits" and the equally successful remix "Stay High" by hip hop producer Hippie Sabotage. Other notable songs to check out include "Not On Drugs", "Out of Mind, "Talking Body", and "I Like 'Em Young" among others. In addition to her blossoming singing career, she's also written songs for a number of artists; including Icona Pop, Girls Aloud, and Cher Lloyd among others and is the featured vocalist on tracks from fellow Swedes Lucas Nord (the excellent "Run On Love") and the recently released "Heroes (We Could Be)" by Alesso. These guys stick together! RIYL: Lorde, Katy Perry, Broods, Banks, Miley Cyrus, Charli XCX, Sky Ferreira, Icona Pop, Kiesza, Lights...

Lykke Li - A Swedish indie-pop singer who equally blends alternative & electronic elements in her music...has been gaining momentum and exposure with each album release. She just recently released album number three, 'I Never Learn', featuring singles "Love Me Like I'm Not Made Of Stone", "Gunshot", and "No Rest For The Wicked". Other songs to check out include "I Follow Rivers" and "Get Some" from her second album 'Wounded Rhymes' and "I'm Good I'm Gone" from her debut album 'Youth Novels'.

RIYL: Sia, La Roux, Lana Del Rey, St. Vincent, London Grammar, Banks...

Miriam Bryant - Your first exposure to Swedish singer-songwriter Miriam Bryant was most likely from her collaboration with Zedd and Matthew Koma from the Divergent movie soundtrack on the song "Find You". You may have also heard her song "Push Play" which was featured on her 'Push Play' EP and Zedd's hit album 'Clarity' and her songs "Finders Keepers" and "Raised In Rain". Be on the lookout for new music, including her just released single "Dragon". We feel it's just a matter of time, and not much of it, before she breaks out in the US. RIYL: Tove Lo, Foxes, Ellie Goulding, Katy Perry, Zedd, Jillette Johnson, Birdy, LOLO, Adele...

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Electro-pop group Kate Boy, Icona Pop (who became hard to ignore with their huge hit song "I Love It" featuring Charli XCX and their hit "All Night"), Nina Persson (lead singer of the Cardigans & A Camp who released her debut solo album 'Animal Heart' earlier in 2014), DJ & producer Alesso, DJ Lucas Nord, Agnes Carlsson, and others are crafting music that begs to be listened to and is sure to continue taking over the airwaves in the US and every couuntry around the world. Do yourself a favor and check out some (if not all) of these artists!