New artist of the week: Sigrid

What: 2018's pop poppet is bound to go interstellar

Where: Norway

Why: The music industry is always looking for the next big thing. The story goes that as soon as Island Records heard Sigrid Solbakk Raabe sing, the label flew to her Norway home to sign her the next day. It's easy to hear why. The 21-year-old has a youthful magnetism that makes people flock to her sound.

It was Don't Kill My Vibe that started the story. The song is Sigrid addressing an overbearing elder (a producer, perhaps?) who has underestimated the strength of this millennial's character. Rather than feeling belittled, Sigrid brushes off criticisms and empowers herself in the face of a bully. "You think you're so important to me, don't you?/ But I wanted you to know that you don't belong here." It's easily one of the songs of the year and it wasn't a fluke.

Video: Watch the 14-year-old winner of the John Field International Piano competition

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At Other Voices in Dingle earlier this month, Sigrid commanded the room with her delicate voice and warm demeanour. Dynamite proves she can do meaningful ballads ("You're as safe as a mountain, but know that I am dynamite") and latest single Stranger is a fine example of laser-guided Scandinavian electro-pop.

Key to Sigrid’s success is her authenticity. Despite embracing the major label pop world, as yet, her character hasn’t been diluted. Don’t underestimate her. You won’t kill her vibe.

Sigrid plays The Academy Dublin on March 23rd.

[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzonQoON9eo ]

You have to hear this:

Davy Kehoe – Storm Desmond

Dublin artist Davy Kehoe quietly released a vinyl-only album on his friends' dance label Wah Wah Wino called Short Passing Game this year. Among the experimental krautrock and electronic post-rock is this most gorgeous piece of music, that could be described as a kraut-jazz song that meanders with mbira, harmonica, whistles and Sean Mac Erlaine on bass clarinet. A largely unknown pleasure.

[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EouiplFAFVk ]

Sheer Mag – Just Can’t Get Enough

When was the last time you heard a feel-good guitar jam like this? The Philadelphia rockers Sheer Mag dropped an album littered with taut Thin Lizzy-esque guitar jams this year, and this one brandishes its 1970s rock credentials with singer Tina Halladay singing with real gritty soul.

[ https://youtu.be/sE8XwPkdN8U ]