Talent propels careers. This is especially true for Swedish pop singer-songwriter Noak Hellsing. I can recall when he shared “Good Enough” in 2020. He was a 16-year-old then, and this was only his second ever single.
Fast forward a couple of years, today the Stockholm-based artist releases his 6-song debut EP, YESTERYEAR. And he does so having already showcased to the world his vocal prowess and great songwriting ability.
Noak credits his father for not only influencing his decision to be a musician but also offering him the necessary support. His writing is steeped in storytelling. Hellsing draws inspiration from his own experiences. He comments, “And when it comes to lyrics, I tend to dig into relationships. Not necessarily romantic relationships but all kinds of relationships.”
The journey towards this EP began earlier this year with the unveiling of “When The Shadows Go Home“. Three other singles followed before the guitar-wielding crooner scheduled the EP’s release. It arrives with two new tracks.
Weaved in such a way that one song flows smoothy on the next, YESTERYEAR embodies this youngster’s growing artistry. The disco-laced first track “Get Real” is warm, laidback and reinforces the need for self-love.
On “Die Without Letting You Know”, Noak gets more thoughtful as he rues a missed opportunity for genuine connection. The production covers this song in amazing melodies.
“When The Shadows Go Home” is deceptively upbeat. Delving into the depths of loneliness and gloom, the song is quite dance-inducing. With “Break My Heart” though, what you see is what you get. Hellsing delivers harrowing lyrics over a stripped-back piano instrumental.
The soulful “When You Think Of Me” and the balladic “Enemy” close the EP. YESTERYEAR is an impressive body of work. And Noah Hellsing is an artist to watch. Find him on Instagram.
| This review was made possible by SubmitHub |
