The last time I posted about my favorite MALE Swedish vocalist, Erik Hassle, was all the way back in April of 2012 surrounding the release of “Stay,” an emotionally charged ballad guaranteed to make anyone with a soul cry their eyes out. Since then, Erik released another Swedish album called We Dance (featuring “Stay“) before moving to LA where he has been working his butt off ever since, trying to crack America. And the fruits of his labor have been plentiful! His new EP, Somebody’s Party came out in March (TEN/RCA Records) featuring six beautiful yet understated electro-tinged R&B-stunners, overflowing with soul. Check out the just released video for one of those six tracks, “Pathetic.” Produced by SOHN and Nick Ruth, “Pathetic” is one of the EP’s clear standouts.
Make sure you pick up a copy of Somebody’s Party and listen for yourself (iTunes). For fans of his breakout 2010 album, the electro-poppier Pieces, no…Somebody’s Party doesn’t sound anything like that. But that’s OK! Erik Hassle‘s vocals sound better than ever and his lyrics are on-point. Not sure what kind of heartbreak this 25 year-old Swede has experienced recently but it sure did provide ample material for this EP. The EP features collaborations with promising up & comers such as Vic Mensa and Tinashe.
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In between putting out the EP and working on his album, Hassle got some good exposure here in the States, touring with label-mate (and fellow Scandinavian), Danish indie pop phenom Karen Marie Ørsted (AKA MØ), playing sold out dates from coast to coast, Washington D.C. to Los Angeles. Check out the pic I was lucky enough to get with him after his Brooklyn MØ show! What an honor that was! Whoosh! Excited to hear more new music from Erik Hassle. In the meantime, check out the video for “Pathetic” BELOW as well as sexy new remix ABOVE by Chrome Sparks. Hassle will be opening for Swedish alt-pop trio Nonono (check out their song “Pumpin Blood“) out West next month, joining them in San Francisco on August 11th and in LA on August 12th. Pick up tix HERE.
Oh…and completely unrelated…did you all know that Erik Hassle was featured on an edit of Stromae‘s “Alors On Danse” single? I guess it was part of the single’s UK release but this is the first I’ve heard of it. You can listen to that HERE.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0HOmDMSr3M]
Check out Erik Hassle online:
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