I met the mother of all pop music

I’ve been listening to the Scandipop’s Best New Pop station on Spotify lately. There seems to be a counterpart for pretty much every major American artist, from Taylor Swift to Maroon 5. All the major sounds and styles are mirrored. And yet, there are some distinct differences between the two.

The Nordic tracks seem just a hint more mellow and relaxed. None of them have hit a nerve or made me anxious in all the time I’ve been listening. This is not true for American pop. 

The lyrics, too, are different. They seem a bit more raw. A bit more real and less jaded. They seem to reflect the world a little more accurately than most songs over here. Or perhaps it’s just coming from a different perspective. 

I’ve also noticed that there are a large number of songs that have negative or sad lyrics, but the track is still very upbeat. It was confusing for a while, until I remembered that Nordics like to dig under the glossy surface of life to see the truth in things. The combination of glossy track with unhappy lyrics made more sense in that context. 

There is a better balance between love songs and other topics. The radio here is inundated with love songs. They tend to get old after a while. It’s nice to hear songs about other topics.

Nordic music has been an influence in my world long before I labeled it as such. ABBA is still everywhere and so much fun to listen to. In high school, the Cardigans and Ace of Base were all over the radio. The album The Sign (aka Happy Nation) formed the basis of one memorable summer road trip. I knew the entire album by heart by the end of that week and it stayed on my list of favorite music for years. I loved the way I felt when I listened to it, although I couldn’t tell you just what that feeling was. I’m sure I knew at the time that they weren’t from the States, which only added to their appeal for me, but if you had asked me before today where they were from I couldn’t have told you.

I had no idea that so many of the top U.S. pop artists sing music written or produced by Swedes. I’m kind of geeking out about it. 

It’s no wonder that the Swedes are so talented. They treat music as a serious job. The education system is set up to allow students to spend an enormous amount of time training in music, with all the resources necessary for study, practice, and performance. Opportunities for internships at some of the best studios in the world add polish and experience. Musicians in Sweden are not starving artists. They’re well educated and well supplied with all their needs.

Scandipop music is mature. Each song has it’s own complex layers. Every time I turn the music on I catch a new layer. Some have distinctly ABBA-esque overtones. Others have an edginess to them that makes you focus, but the music only feels intense; not aggravating.

It’s great to experience the source of the pop industry; to see things before they’re tailored for a less discerning audience. I prefer the Swedish version.

I was hooked after the first ten minutes. But at this point I am fully converted. I can never go back to the bubble gum pop on the radio here. And Scandipop is definitely my new favorite Spotify station.

What did I learn from this?

S Pop can brighten your day without making you feel irritated.