The Nordic vocalist of the moment has to be Susanne Sundfør.

First coming to wider attention following her appearance on M83′s ‘Oblivion’, she has since collaborated with fellow Norwegians RÖYKSOPP and Swedish producer KLEERUP. Her cover version of DEPECHE MODE’s ‘Ice Machine’ with the former showcased her emotive vocal style.

Meanwhile her contributions ‘Running To The Sea’ and ‘Save Me’ to ‘The Inevitable End’ are two of the highlights on an album that has been touted as RÖYKSOPP’s last ever. Meanwhile on ‘Let Me In’ with KLEERUP, she is in a livelier if still melancholic mood, sounding like Karin Park fronting latter day ROXY MUSIC.

With the announcement that Susanne Sundfør’s fifth studio album ‘Ten Love Songs’ is to be released on 16th February 2015, comes the video for its brilliant first single ‘Fade Away’. Propelled by a pulsing electronic backbone, it sees Sundfør in rousing form with a tune that at times sounds almost like Scandinavian gospel. Meanwhile, a fabulous synth solo is a joy to behold before the final bridge and chorus. The enigmatic video itself is a foggy Nordic Noir drama that suitably compliments the song.

Susanne Sundfør’s last album ‘The Silicone Veil’ was her UK debut and featured the moody single ‘White Foxes’. However, the ‘Ten Love Songs’ album sees her move closer to pop territory. Indeed, she has cited Taylor Swift as an influence on this new direction although the music is continually subverted as her experimental inclinations blur the pop picture.

“To me, love isn’t always what it seems. When I first started to work on the album, I wanted to make an album about violence, and then, as I was writing the songs, there were violent aspects, but they were usually about love or relationships, how you connect with other people. And in the end, that turned out to be 10 love songs” says Sundfør. The album should be an intriguing listen.

With thanks to Debbie Ball at Create Spark

‘Ten Love Songs’ is released on 16th February 2015 by Sonnet Sound / Kobalt

Susanne Sundfør plays The Scala in London’s Kings Cross on Tuesday 3rd March 2015

http://susannesundfor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/susannesundfor

Text by Chi Ming Lai
3rd December 2014