For most singer-songwriters growing up, their first songs are barely remembered, buried away on a cassette tape in their basement or detailed down in a notebook later thrown into a set of old bedside draws forgotten about. Not for Tove Styrke though, the Swedish songwriter was 17 when her debut album came out containing seven songs she co-wrote. In 2009, just aged 16 Styrke competed on Swedish Idol eventually finishing third place, and releasing her debut album the following year.
Styrke grew up in Umea in Northern Sweden, forever dreaming of being a singer. She was in the right place to do it, with Sweden being the home of pop music and cultivating a collection of hits from 90’s pop icons like Britney Spears, Backstreetboys and *NSYNC. Determined to become a pop idol, Tove Styrke spent hours in the living room of her parents house playing the keyboard and singing away with their support behind her. After finding success on Swedish Idol, she cut her debut single “A Million Pieces” and set to work on her debut album. By the time her second album came around “Kiddo”, Styrke was writing all of her own songs which she described as charting her “coming of age” on a record. Now comes her third album “Sway” which has become her liberation of self-confidence.
“Sway” comes at her stint with Lorde’s Melodrama tour and just weeks in advance of her opening slot on Katy Perry’s Witness tour, and is a half hour exploration on human connection and all variations of romantic vulnerability. The collection of 8 tracks tackle intense emotions like desire, anxiety and lust, but all delivered behind a infectious pop hook. Working with Katy Perry and Icona Pop collaborator Elof Loelv, as well as Joe Janiak, a co-writer of Britney Spears’ “Make Me…,” Tove Styrke has enlisted the write nucleus to create a chart topping pop album. “Sway” is not only the title of the album but also the lead single and in an interview with Billboard, Styrke spoke about the song and what it means to her saying “It’s so sweet. I’m obsessed with it and it’s my favorite one. “Sway” is not just the title track; it represents the whole album so well. It’s about when you’re vibing with somebody but you’re not sure what it is yet. It’s all new and exciting. It’s taking these small feelings or the feelings that you usually keep to yourself and amping them and making it an anthem, almost. I think those feelings, they deserve that space. I’m so happy about it”.
“On A Level” she co-wrote with Joe Janiak who was also responsible for co-writing “Sway” with, and both songs open and close the album. For Styrke she chose these songs for a reason to be the beginning and the end telling Billboard “I deliberately wanted to have “Sway” open and “On a Level” close the album, because they’ve got something in common, in terms of being bigger than many of the other songs. But it’s big in another sense. It’s more nighttime, it’s a little bit more tight in how it sounds, and a little bit romantic”.
“On The Low” has been described as the heart of the album, and showcases Styrke whispering vocals on stripped back instrumental singing about not wanting to her hidden relationship to be a secret anymore. “Mistakes” is a power pop anthem, shimmering with percussive productions, and a thumping energetic beat during the chorus backed by Styrke’s mischievous lyrics. It’s a song that could easily declare it’s self for the number one spot on the pop charts. My favorite song on the album is “Changed My Mind” whirling a dance hall type chorus with catchy lyrics that will not only get you singing along but also enough to get you up out of your seats. It details the story of an infectious and seductive love story that has Styrke whispering the words “pull me closer”.
If this album is anything to go by, expect a bright future in the spotlight for Tove Styrke, currently she’s supporting Lorde and Katy Perry on tour but it won’t be long before she’s standing side by side with them. “Sway” is available on all major platforms now. If you would like me to cover any of your material and even feature on “The Hit List” feel free to drop me a line on neillfrazer@hotmail.com
