Iceland is truly one of the world's gifts of the world. Its magical landscape has not only made for one of the most visually pleasing sights of all time but in terms of the country's musical contribution, Iceland has birthed some of the most influential artists of all time i.e Björk, Sigur Rós and the list continues. Whilst Reykjavík duo East Of My Youth have much to be proud of regarding their city and country, they are the next Icelandic wonders to add on to this firm legacy.
A good pop song coming out of Sweden is to be expected. However, a great jazz-pop piece may fly a little under the radar. That may soon change as Gothenburg band JUDITHS have emerged to shed a vibrant light on some of the most gorgeous sounds coming out of the Nordic region. Formed by lead singer Amanda Elsa Larsson and comprised of Ida Kjellberg, Anton Alvin, Erik Björksten, Anna Henriksson and David Darling Lingdell, JUDITHS’ music elegantly flows with a classic grace yet maintain a modern appeal that doesn’t alienate those new to the genre. Opting to sing in Swedish, Larsson’s rich and alluring vocals gently reel in listeners regardless of nationality or language. Intriguing melodies swarm around finely tuned instrumentation as tracks like ‘Sången som aldrig blev av’ stand like sheer works of art. With their debut EP ‘Jag vill inte sova med dig något mer’ or ‘I don’t want to sleep with you any more’, JUDITHS are ready to spread the glory of masterful jazz-pop beyond the boundaries of Scandinavia.
If Nwando Ebizie appears to be unlike any other artist out here today, it’s because she’s not. The musician, producer, dancer, DJ and performance artist is more like a renaissance woman whose experimental presentations have dazzled audiences not only in theatres but have also captured the ears of tastemakers like Gilles Peterson. Working under the moniker of Lady Vendredi, her work is a clashing of culture and sound topped with a dressing of afro-futurism.
Whilst many modern electronic producers concentrate their efforts only on moving the dance floor, producer, composer and author George D. Stănciulescu delves deeper, understanding the power of music and it's effects on the senses. Recording under the project LeVant, his music is an artistic and cinematic listening experiencing, bridging together experimental electronica, techno, ambient and neo-classical, creating a sound like no other today.
Based in Bucharest, George D. Stănciulescu began releasing music under Ad Ombra back in 2005. Dropping the 2008 LP 'Rites of Genesis' followed by 2009's 'Magna Charta Illusorum' and 2011's 'Almost Eternity (Handmade Beliefs for the Nostalgic Lambs)', the recordings were like epic movie scores packed with a haunting beauty.
There is something hypnotic about the voice of Leena Ojala. With a beautiful tone that is lifting, her power over the listener is like sonic voodoo. Musically varied, Ojala effortlessly glides over palettes of seductive electronica, alternative and deep pop like the strokes of a painter's brush.
Raised in Hong Kong and Essex, then making the trek to London in her late teens, Ojala dropped her 'EP1' record in late 2015 via 51Den Music. To describe it as marvelously gorgeous would be an understatement as the media instantly began top ranking her with popular artists such as Låpsley and more. Leena Ojala also proved that she was just as talented as a producer as she is a singer.
Ikes is a man of his own. Emerging in the Hip-Hop scene during a time period when many emcees around London were tapping into grime, he remained steadfast with his sound and craft, dropping projects like ‘The Intermission’ mixtape back in 2011 and 2012’s ‘The Intermission: Last Call’, which spawned the single ‘Girl Talk’ featuring Scorcher and Jermain Riley. Ambitious from the start, Ikes delivered music with the production quality of big dogs such as Jay Z or Rick Ross, with lyrical content that was utterly clever and relatable to the listener. His videos were equally as sharp, looking like mini-movies at times. Clearly Ikes is not out to just “make” music, but be the best at it.
On the surface it's easy to comprehend why Prince was one of the greatest artists in music history. The Minneapolis-born singer, songwriter, musician, composer, dancer and actor embodied every heightened ability and skill it took to truly rise above the flock. His skills as a musician were top tier, his vocal range was uncanny, his penmanship was on genius levels and on stage, his power to entertain crowds were second to none. Yet with all these attributes, one of the things that undoubtedly set Prince apart from many acts was his fearlessness when it came to challenging the norm.
Ella On The Run isn’t your typical ‘pop singer’, rather a well-rounded artist whose vocal versatility and musicianship work with a vast selection of styles. It wouldn’t be hard to understand why she has been on the radar of media entities around the globe including The Huffington Post, Wonderland Magazine and the list goes on.
Liza Owen can be considered an artist who has been blessed all across the board when it comes to having superstar qualities. Beautiful, naturally stylish and possessing a voice that rings off with the utmost of soul and power, it's almost a no-brainer to think that she will reign supreme in the world of music.
The British-born stunner of Cambodian heritage who is constantly evolving in terms of sound, has not only established a global audience but also caught the attention of the one and only Kanye West. Ye quickly put her in the booth, resulting in a recorded track with himself and Tyga.
Words by Art Jefferson
Photography by Kae Kitzler and courtesy of Batz
Melbourne band Batz …
