Best new Scandi music in July 2023

This summer sees the FIFA Women’s World Cup take place in Australia and New Zealand. And the Swedish team has got its official anthem for the occasion – courtesy of pop superstar Miss Li. Her new single Våran Sång is a suitably rousing number – all drums beating and trumpets blaring. And it’s got that trademark of any sporting anthem – the easy to chant-along-to chorus. In this case, half of the chorus is made up of “la la la, la la, la la la“s, meaning that even non Swedish-speaking folk can play along too.

Norwegian pop talent Dagny is back with a brand-new tune. And following on from the sublime Heartbreak In The Making, this new one is all about picking yourself up after that aforementioned heartbreak. On Same Again (For Love), she serves up a break-up anthem with a difference – a thoroughly positive one. Here, it’s all about celebrating the mistakes you’ve learned from along the way.

Yes, I too was hesitant to get on board with a song that interpolates the popular nursery rhyme Row, Row, Row Your Boat. But with Norwegian artist Peder Elias making what’s essentially a diss track out of the well-known tune, his new single Row Your Boat is just too enticing to ignore. The acerbic undertone of some of the lyrics, paired with that melody we all know from childhood – a little bit of pop genius right there.

Now, we don’t have Swedish megastar Veronica Maggio jumping on any old dance track. So you know that when she finally says yes, it’s gonna be a good one. Occhi D’Amore is the new single from Swedish duo NOTD, which Veronica had a hand in co-writing too, as well as singing. The song is a string-laden, feel-good tune with the catchiest of chorus riffs to see you through the summer months. And it’s already shaping up to be one of the big hits of the season at home in Sweden too.

Web: www.scandipop.co.uk