Amanda Mair
For fans of Lykke Li, Kate Boy, and Tove Styrke, Amanda Mair is a Stockholm native who gained attention as a teenager with her debut single, “House” in 2011. After an extended hiatus, Amanda announces a new forthcoming EP and teases it with the single “Empty Blockings.” Like so many of her Swedish contemporaries, Amanda displays a flair for breathy vocals over hypnotic drums and glittering synths. We can’t wait to hear more from Amanda, but in the meantime, we asked her to put together a playlist of tracks that inspire her as a musician.
Lana Del Rey – High by the Beach
“I LOVE Lana Del Rey and have listened to a lot of her music. This song just hit me directly with the quite melancholic melodies and the discreet beat.”
Banks – Gemini Feed
“For me ‘Gemini Feed’ is the perfect balance of dark and lightful. Myself I have a bit hard time writing uptempo cheerful music. With the chorus very direct and open but the verses being more innocent, it’s just the perfect match.”
Mura Masa, Bonzai – What if I go? (Feat. Bonzai)
“This song just makes me wanna dance every single time. Love the bouncy beat and the sound.”
Jai Paul – BTSTU
“I’m a huge fan of Jai Paul. I love his calm falsetto together with the more aggressive sound.”
Emelie Nicholas – Nobody Knows
“This song just hits my heart. The pads are goals and when the sleepy swiping melodies meet the drum machinge likely chorus it’s like releasing a bird or something.”
Lykke Li – Love Out of Lust
“This one just had to be in the list. A big influence since I was young. Especially the airy drums, the big timpani, an innocent cowbell and something I suppose are whistles. Its a sound I really can relate to.”
Susanne Sundfor – Memorial
“I feel like I get sent to heaven, a safe place with soft clouds when I listen to ‘Memorial.'” I love the ecclesiastical vibe.
It’s so mighty?! And the arpeggiator makes it extraterrestrial and the choir is just GENIOUS. The melodies, the vocal, the strings, the piano outro. Why didn’t I write this song? I can’t stop:)”
Saturday Monday, Julia Spada – The Ocean (Feat. Julia Spada)
“Drums, drums and more drums please! The one key to my heart. I like the energetic perky beat together with the soft cold strings.”
The Blaze – Territory
“Another key to my musical heart is a distinctly acoustic piano. And when that adapts of a deep kick, weird vocals and sounds, I’m sold.”
Massive Attack – Teardrop
“This one also have the ingredients of High on the beach. The dark instrumental go down deep but the airy vocal lifts the song and it’s like an on going fight between them. Perfect.”