NORDIC MUSIC PRIZE 2022 nominees
Nordic Music Prize is an annual award for the Best Nordic Album Of The Year. Inspired by the British & Irish Mercury Prize, the prize was introduced in 2010, and initiated by by:Larm.
In setting up Nordic Music Prize, by:Larm has several aims: first, to create even stronger unity across the Nordic regions industry, second, to further increase international interest and awareness of what the region has to offer musically, and, last but not least, to refocus on the full-length album as an art form. The winner will receive a cash prize of 10 000 euros.
Previous winners have included Jónsi, Goran Kafjes, First Aid Kit, The Knife, Mirel Wagner, Band of Gold, Jenny Hval, Susanne Sundfør and Robyn.
“As usually, putting together a twelve album shortlist for the Nordic Music Prize was an enriching experience. But at the same time happily difficult! The quality and diversity within the Nordic region continues to dazzle and the list manages to juggle an enticing variety of musical output - be it style, age, region or gender wise - running the gamut from accessible indie-pop to experimental avant-garde and picking up urban vibes and gothic Nordic-noir on the way. The prize will doubtless, as it has done since it's inception in 2010, increase international interest and awareness of what the Nordic countries have to offer musically while providing a highly visible platform for the already vibrant scene.” - The Nordic Jury
This years nominees with statements from the jury
Sóley – Mother Melancholia (IS)
“One long meditation on the state of the world, in turns pretty and horrific.”
Gyða Valtýsdóttir – Ox (IS)
“A sturdy yet elegant album – delicate and powerful at the same time.”
Yeboyah – Perhosefekti (FI)
“Yeboyah deals with big issues: how to live in modern Finland as a young afro-Finnish woman and, how to deal with racism and misogyny.”
Richard Dawson & Circle – Henki (FI)
“Henki is a beautiful and strong album where Circle’s hypnotic metal and krautrock mixes together with Dawson’s prog rock and folk influences.”
Sepikka – En kestä kylmää lailla ahvenen (FI)
“Sepikka builds charming soundcapes and manages to stretch his musical expression from lo-fi to catchy pop hooks and flamboyantly orchestrated wall of sound.”
Astrid Sonne – outside of your lifetime (DK)
“A team effort, incorporating vocal harmonies, strings and guitars into Astrid Sonne’s trademark artistic universe of calm abstraction and futuristic elegance.”
Brimheim – can't hate myself into a different shape (DK/FO)
“Goth-tinged, heartfelt alt rock songs with lots of drama and sweeping choruses.”
Bendik Giske – Cracks (NO)
“A further deconstruction of his instrument, inspired by queer theory and with elements of techno and studio wizardry."
Benedicte Maurseth - Hárr (NO)
“An homage to her home region, where elements of traditional folk and free improvisation interwoven with found sounds such as birds, reindeer and running water.”
Jenny Hval - Classic Objects (NO)
“Even when Jenny Hval makes straightforward pop songs and goes "small", she manages to push boundaries and create something new.”
Maja Francis – A Soft Pink Mess (SE)
“Maja Francis has created her own little sparkling pink galaxy in the Swedish pop universe.”
David Ritschard – Blåbärskungen (SE)
“David Ritschard's alt-country pop is a bombshell in the all-digital, over-produced hiphop- and pop era.”
The winner of Nordic Music Prize 2022 will be annonced at by:Larm.
The ceremony will take place Thursday 15th 5.30pm in the Delegate Lounge.
