From punk and metal to dance, pop and the indescribable
Andrew Trendell

21:49 25th August 2015

The Vikings once raided and traded across a vast area from Scandinavia, conquering most of Europe in the process. It must be something in the blood, because an inescapable wave is sweeping across the North sea to take over once again. 

Earlier this month, we spent an enchanting week in Oslo at Oya Festival. Expecting our highlights to be a smattering of hits from the likes of Beck, Chic and Florence + The Machine, we were in left with mouths aghasp at the sheer bredth and class of local talent bursting out of Norway these days. 

From punk and metal to dance, pop, hip-hop and the utterly indescribable, here are 16 Norwgian acts that you need in your life at once. 

  • Aurora: A delicate tapestry of angelic vocals, swooping strings, irresistible synth-pop and epic, cinematic soundscapes is what Aurora weaves into a totally inescapable world of her own, where the sensual meets the vulnerable. We're a little bit in love - she is going to be massive. Key tracks: 'Runaway', 'Running With The Wolves', 'Murder Song'

  • Slutface: We don't care if their name offends you - we're going to be saying it A LOT in the next 12 months, and so should you. With the riot-grrrl attitude of Sleater-Kinney met with the pure rush of Blood Red Shoes, the emerging Norwegian quartet Slutface throw out infectious pop punk riffs and irresistible choruses that demand every moment of your attention. Key tracks: 'Bad Party', 'Angst', 'Call To Arms'

  • Bendik: As captivating as her appearance suggests, Bendik specialises in that shimmering dreampop that seems to flow from Norway like so much water into the Fjords. Here we have an aching melancholy met an ambitious post-rock backing, and a singer who gives her absolute all to her performance. Utterly enchanting. Key tracks: 'Hjertebank og kulde', 'Her', 'Morket foles morkere'

  • Kverletak: An uncompromising live band (the frontman wears an owl over his face, yes really) that need to be seen to be believed. But this band are far from a gimmick. Terrifying as they may be, what they produce is a unique brand of intricate but anthemic stoner metal like you've never heard before. Key tracks: 'Evig Vandrar', 'Blodtorst', 'Braune Bren'

  • Emilie Nicolas: With the dark pop-noir melodrama of Lykke Li and the streetwise sass and beats of Banks, it could be easy for Nicolas to disappear in a seemingly endless sea of sultry songstresses, but the fact of the matter is that there's a piercing edge to this rising Norwegian star that puts her in a league of her own. With a No.1 album in Norway to her name, we don't doubt it will be too long until the rest of the world are under her spell. Key tracks: 'Pstereo', 'Fail', 'Nobody Knows'

  • Susanne Sundfor: With six albums to her name (numerous topping the Norwegian charts) and having collaborated with the likes of M83 and Royksopp, her influence on bringing credibility to the dancefloor over the last decade is never in question. So to many of you, we're probably preaching to the choir - but we won't rest until she's recognised as the universal electro Goddess she deserves to be. Key tracks: 'Delerious', 'Fade Away', 'Accelerate'

  • Farao: The insanely talented Kari Jahnson can play pretty much every instrument. Her sheer understanding of music is probably what sets her deep and driving brand of folky electro in a league of her own. Her debut album, Til It's All Forgotten drops on 11 September. Get her in your life. Key tracks: 'Bodies', 'Hunter', 'The Hours'

  • Cashmere Cat: You may know him for working with Ariana Grande or his awesome remixes of the likes of Lana Del Rey and 2 Chainz, but his own futuristic take on chilled electro meets R&B is blissed out enough to send you floating over the North Sea. Key tracks: 'Mirror Maru', 'With Me', 'Adore (ft Ariana Grande)'

  • Andre Bratten: Do you like your space disco to be dark but sexy? Then this Oslo producer is the only man you need. Key tracks: 'Be A Man You Ant',

  • Building Instrument: A wonderfully weird whirpool of ethereal folk hidden in a haze of dizzying, warped, ambient post-rock. This is music to get lost to. Key tracks: 'Historia', 'Alt e Bra', 'Bli Med'

  • Ivan Ave: The world needs more Nordic rap, and this brings just the right amount of old school class and effortless, chilled-out groove to lead the wave. Key tracks: 'Forks', 'Portals', 'Honey Dip'

  • Ane Brun: A runaway train of raw-nerved emotion, bursting straight out of this Nordic treasure's ribcage. Using the most bare elements with such an expertly dramatic effect, it feels like you're experiencing a full opera in a song. Key tracks: 'Do You Remember', 'Directions', 'These Days'

  • Drape: Imagine Mew and The Flaming Lips fighting over a ball of wool. Key tracks: 'Pie In The Sky', 'Together We Are Pstereo', 'When You Wake Up Again'

  • Alfred Hall: Brilliant soaring disguised as bubbling and danceable synth-pop songs - this Nordic duo have all bases covered without ever being cutesy or twee. This is the sound of summer. Key tracks: 'Lose That Gun', 'Safe & Sound', 'Someplace Beautiful'

  • Wardruna: Bringing ancient Nordic Viking folk music a modern day sound sense of purpose, prepare to go to another world with Wardruna. Key tracks: 'Helvegen', 'Blood Eagle', 'Hagal'

  • Thea Hjelmeland: She can play anything with strings - including our hearts. What she makes is a kind of fairytale witch-folk pop on a scale to rival the likes of Sigur Ros. We discovered her when she played at the top of a ski slope in Oslo. Now you don't have to go to quite the same heights to get her in your life. Key tracks: 'Feathery', 'Perfume', 'Age'


Photo: Press