Erik Hassle: 'Don't Bring Flowers'

Robyn, Alphabeat, The Knife... Why does Scandinavia produce so much top notch pop? Here's Erik Hassle's theory: "For six months of the year the sun basically never comes up and it's really f**king cold, so you need to be creative to survive." Well, if that's correct, on this evidence the young Swede isn't so much surviving as flourishing.

His UK debut isn't as chirpy as Alphabeat or as fierce as Robyn, but it certainly captures the essence of Scandipop greatness. Over a minimalist-yet-epic synth backdrop, Hassle urges: "Don't bring flowers after I'm dead, save your givings for the living instead." Slightly morbid message aside, it's his vocals, unique and full of pleading innocence, that really stand out. We'll be keeping an eye on this one.

> Click here to read our recent Erik Hassle interview