(Photo Credit: Hampus Hjellström)
(Photo Credit: Hampus Hjellström)
Swedish artist and renowned songwriter Elina (real name Elina Stridh) has released a brand new single called “Another Round.” A gorgeous piano-lined ballad steeped in poignant nostalgia, Elina describes the track:
“I’ve actually had this song as a draft on my phone for years, and it finally ended up as ‘Another Round.’ It’s always had a somewhat nostalgic nature, revolving lyrically around a phone call to someone from the past. I’m personally very good at romanticising the past. I guess it’s a common phenomena. It’s like there’s a place within, holding all the memories of times you truly miss. Times where things were brighter and you were happier, acting as a constant reminder to yourself – especially when you’re questioning things in your life or going through a rough time. Deep down I know that I wouldn’t want to actually return to those times or places. Still, it’s kind of a happiness bank for me. I’m not talking about young love in particular, but all kinds of things. I won’t ever actually have access to this dreamy happy place but I can stop by right outside and sit down when I need to, absorbing some of its light.”
“Another Round” comes on the heels of previous single “Free,” a folk-inspired song bursting with lush melodies and self-reflective lyricism. The track was playlisted on Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday’ and saw love from outlets like 1883 Magazine and EUPHORIA, who debuted the song’s gorgeous live video. The new singles are Elina’s first since her May 2019 debut EP, In Hindsight. The EP was a bold first statement for the budding artist, with standout singles “Wild Enough,” “Champion,” and “Here With Me” sparking a run of 70 million+ Spotify streams and counting.
Before debuting her artist project in April 2018, Elina had already made an impression as a highly sought-after songwriter, penning hits for artists such as Zara Larsson, Astrid S, Maroon 5 / SZA “What Lovers Do,” among many more. In total, her songwriting catalog has generated over 1 billion streams.
Growing up in a small village in southern Sweden, Elina began exploring creativity and story telling at a young age. She learned to play guitar in 8th grade and was eventually admitted to renowned Swedish songwriting academy Musikmakarna (whose alumni include LÉON, Skott, NEIKED) where she developed her skills at a higher level.
With a razor-sharp lyrical sensibility, Elina’s songs tell delicate stories of the vulnerability and uncertainty that makes us unapologetically human – beautifully flawed and courageously resilient. Inspired by the strong history and tradition of Swedish songwriters (Björn and Benny [ABBA], Max Martin, Cheiron, et al) Elina’s craft has not gone unnoticed, garnering multiple awards including the 2018 ASCAP Pop Award for Maroon 5/SZA’s “What Lovers Do,” Best Singer-Songwriter in the Ivor Novello Awards and a Denniz Pop Award nomination. She was also honored with the Swedish Publishing Awards’ ‘Song of the Year’ for “Sexual” by NEIKED (which she co-wrote).
The transition from songwriting to her own artist project has been a vulnerable yet ultimately enlightening path for Elina, who notes, “I had written a few songs I really loved but hadn’t been picked up by any artist, so I decided to release them myself. Creating this artist ‘persona’ and everything is still very alien but making music on my own terms has been such a healing experience.”
With an upcoming sophomore EP, Elina is set on continuing to explore the depths of human emotion in the most raw and human ways. As she describes, “It’s important for me to try and shine more of a light on the value of self-esteem, especially with the pressures we all face in today’s society. I want to continue exploring that down the road with my next EP and hopefully reach a point where I can make a real difference using the platform I’m lucky to have.”
Rising genre-disrupting singer, songwriter and producer Lonr. unleashes his latest single, “Safe Zone.”
On the track, evocative and entrancing guitar echoes between a stark beat. His emotionally charged delivery cracks on confessions such as “It’s not like this. I cannot move on” and “Tonight, I just want you right back in my arms” before a dynamic and dreamy refrain. Under this cover, he pleads for an ex to join him back in the “Safe Zone.”
Right out of the gate, Lonr. bubbled up to the forefront of the culture with his first single “A.M.” earlier this Fall. Upon the single’s release, Rap-Up christened him, “Music’s secret weapon,” and Elevator promised, “Lonr. has everything it takes to become the next star.,” while RESPECT. Magazine noted that he arrived a s a “singular and cinematic talent.” The track has since landed on playlists such as Spotify’s coveted New Music Friday and Most Necessary.
The New York-based, Cape Cod, MA-raised artist, songwriter and producer recently hit the road on Souly Had’s “B.L.I.S.S.” Tour, alongside 12 AM. It continues at Empire Control Room in Austin, TX on this Sunday, November 24, rolls through major markets across North America, including The Roxy in Los Angeles on December 2, before concluding at Reggies in Chicago, IL on December 14. Check out the full itinerary below.
It all paves the way for his debut project Land of Nothing Real — coming soon.
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
