SIGRID - Norwegian pop singer / songwriter

Hello, let's talk about Sigrid

* She is 21 and from Norway
* She won BBC Sound of 2018
* She's a bit like a midpoint between the Scandinavian singers poptimists went wild for a decade or so ago and the current generation of successful singers who actually sell records and get in the charts
* She has a very 2018 singing voice - that is, quirky, not so quirky as to be annoying, but still a bit too mannered
* She dresses like my stepmother in 1993, wears minimal makeup, does apparently un-choreographed dancing, and sometimes pulls funny faces when she's singing. Not sure if this is all good as it's brought the "what a natural beauty, not like those painted strumpets" crowd out on youtube, but still it's a bit different
* After some initial reservations, I now seem to be playing her latest single 'Strangers' at least once a day, it's not hugely original, but there's something really quite special about it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIriwVhRPVA

I've been on board for a while now, and coincidentally went and saw her live last night. She played I presume what will constitute her debut album - 13-14 songs, most of which are still unreleased. Boundless energy, relentless smiles, and a strong ESL Millie from Freaks & Geeks vibe. "Strangers" is still the "big song" at this stage but watch out for "Credit" and "Schedules".

It's hard to articulate quite what she's offering that distinguishes her from other Spotify-pop peers, but she's a dexterous singer, with both the ability to straight-up belt and do inventive things like the slumping "fall" in "Strangers"' second verse or the schoolyard-handclap-game melody in the chorus of "Don't Kill My Vibe". She's also not afraid to use huge walloping synths and knows her way around a hook.

I haven't read too many big profiles of her yet, despite the Sound Of... win. This is probably the most in-depth one: https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/longread/sigrid-one-to-watch-for-2018

I'm yet to be convinced - to me she feels like all the good stuff in our "not pop not indie shambhala" thread but with all the interesting edges sanded off.

It was cool to see Strangers become a hit in the UK after the Sound of win and not just another 'hey this is a promising artist' thing. Back here Don't Kill My Vibe was the big song of 2017, for her and in some ways for the country, at least it was nominated for all the big SOTY awards.

Basically all of the songs since "Strangers" have underwhelmed, but the last song on this drip-fed EP (and a live highlighted as cited 4 months ago^^^) is out now and something of a course correction.

https://open.spotify.com/album/6lM1n2S9ywnvyKZpLeXVPP

"Sight Of You" is tremendous. As was "Sucker Punch", for the record. Debut album coming next Friday - suddenly excited by the prospect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=759CVrOTwRQ

Basically all of the songs since "Strangers" have underwhelmed

this sort of still holds I have to say. The last two singles have been "Viva La Vida" with anaemia - I feel like she's lost a bit of the spikiness present in the early singles.

If the other songs are underwhelming compared to Strangers they must be some of the most underwhelming songs ever written.

oh fuck off MDC.

Thought Sucker Punch was also excellent too, can't play this new one for some reason.

Sucker Punch was better than Strangers but when you're hearing that half-written 'Straaaaaaayngers' chorus multiple times a day for a year it grates.

good pop album!!

thought her set at glastonbury was v good, i only knew 'sucker punch' beforehand which i love.

I'm digging the new single:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7lr7pU9fYA

gosh, love that.