Poolside pop for July

A selection of fresh new sounds coming out of the Nordic lands this summer.

The Midnight Sun album arrives in September, the Midnight Sun tour of Europe kicks off in October, but the Midnight Sun single is out now! Zara Larsson pairs a drum n’ bass beat with a Swedish pop melody; paying homage to the never-ending light of the summers she enjoys at home.

An Icelandic singer with an incredible strike-rate of bops is back with her latest one. ÁSDÍS returns with the follow-up to Touch Me, which hit number 1 on Germany’s radio airplay chart last year. Pick Up picks up where that one left off – a retro ’80s pop soundscape that sets the scene for her animated style of storytelling. It’s another keeper.

8 tracks, no ballads, 20 minutes. Molly Sandén has given us a Swedish pop album to blast on repeat this summer. It’s called Strawberry Blonde and it’s going to ensure that, like strawberry blondes, we DO have more fun.

Finland’s Benjamin has released Lokki; a Finnish-language schlager-pop bop that still manages to rhyme “merci, gracias, bye bye, por favor, por favor” with “don’t want you in my life anymore, anymore”. Incredible, really.

Danish artist Christopher has teamed up with Vargas & Lagola – the writer/producer team behind the most recent albums by Benjamin Ingrosso and Agnes – to make the lead single from his own new album Fool’s Gold. It’s called Orbit and it’s a masterclass in the art of the arena-sized chorus. The album is also out now and well worth a listen.

Sweden’s LIAMOO is back with something special. On Break Through The Ceiling we get to hear him vibe with country music for the first time. He also uses the opportunity to run riot with his other favourite pastime – rapping! Country and rap – he aces both, blends them together seamlessly, and emerges with one of the strongest singles of his career.

Web: www.scandipop.co.uk