Scan Magazine

By Karl Batterbee

Scandinavia is currently churning out quality music at an alarming rate, from both exciting newcomers, and much loved legends. This month, Finland gets its own Duffy, Denmark produces a girlband to rival Girls Aloud and one of the most loved and loathed acts of all time returns and so does a master of melody!

New pop in old disguise

The modern revising of sixties soul music has dominated the UK and US music scenes over the last year. Now Finland has got its very own sixties siren, Anna Puu. Puu has captivated the Finns with her debut single, C’est La Vie, a melancholic motown tribute with lovelorn vocals and dramatic bells! Its parent album, Anna Puu, has just gone to number one.

Sukkerchok are an enchanting new girlband from Denmark. Their debut album, Hvor Som Helst, Når Som Helst, has just been released and is a fun-packed, 45 minute romp through catchy melodies clinging to electro synths. Imagine how Girls Aloud would have sounded 25 years ago, and you get a good idea of Sukkerchok.

The legends are back

The almighty Aqua (yes, they really are back) have just gone to number one in Denmark and top ten in Norway with Back To The 80s, the lead single from their new Greatest Hits album. One of the most globally successful Scandinavian acts ever, Aqua has recently been touring their native Denmark.

Finally, last month we wrote about a new Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus composition. This month, a second new composition from the Abba pair has been unveiled. Story Of  A Heart is the first international single from Benny’s most recent musical project, Benny Andersson Band and it’s just been A-Listed by BBC Radio 2. So hopefully, the UK will be all singing along to the pair’s music – 35 years after their first UK hit.

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