Debut EP from Noak Hellsing

At just 20 years olf, Stockholm’s own Noak Hellsing has already made a significant impact on the Swedish pop scene, clocking over 30 million streams across his growing discography. With an impressive track record that includes hits like “Lost,” “Good Enough” and “No Love,” Noak’s journey has seen him go from strength to strength with each move. His upbringing, rooted in his love for playing the guitar, built the platform for his successful sonic adventure as a solo artist.

He ventured into songwriting, blending modern pop-focused songwriting with the timeless charm of classic music. For him, music is all about storytelling and he refuses to limit himself to any one genre.

“Writing songs for me is sometimes just a pure expression of my passion for music. Other times, it’s more of a therapy session. I vent various feelings and experiences I have – or topics that are close to my heart. Then, I turn them into pop songs that, hopefully, many others can relate to. I dream that people worldwide will listen to my music and recognise themselves. It will make life a little easier in the more difficult moments,” he shares.

Noak’s talent isn’t confined to his solo work; he’s also collaborated with a diverse range of creators, including Aldae, Erik Hassle, Corey Sanders, LIOHN, Siba, Tep No, Michael Calfan and NCT Dream. His ongoing projects with DJ Snake, Armin Van Buuren, Punctual and Toby Romeo reveal his versatility and ability to add his sonic flair to a wide range of styles and genres.

Now, Noak Hellsing presents his most ambitious solo project to date with the release of his debut EP, YESTERYEAR. This six-track EP offers a captivating journey through his indie pop sound, showcasing his incredible songwriting skills and soulful vocals.

Opened by “Get Real,” the EP immediately pops with a snapping beat and grooving arrangement of pulsing synth shots before Noak’s alluring voice enters to thread infectious vocal leads. Injecting pure funk vibes into the chorus with rhythmic guitar flourishes, he crafts an entrancing sound full of bright melodies and addictive rhythm.

“Die Without Letting You Know” showcases another side of his sound, exploring the depths of his tender songwriting with a delicate acoustic sound. Noak’s emotive voice carries poignant lyricism over gentle acoustic guitar strums. The beat kicks in to deliver a mellow energy on this stunning and moving pop song. “When The Shadows Go Home” brings the energy back up with the drive of a shuffling beat as intricately floating vocal leads. Launching into a shimmering chorus full of hook-focused writing and colourful guitar-based instrumentation, he channels the aesthetic of pop icons like The Weeknd on this superb jam.

“Break My Heart” opens with sombre electric piano tones, setting an aching backdrop for Noak to thread hushed vocals and emotive lyrics. It’s a beautiful, stripped back ballad that reveals his knack for writing timeless and meaningful pop music. “When You Think Of Me” captures a blissful dream pop sound with soft guitar tones, a laid back beat and smooth vocal leads. It’s a slick and soulful song with instantly memorable songwriting and sensational vocal leads.

The EP closes with “Enemy,” starting with resonating detuned piano tones, joined by Noak’s elegant vocals and a soft beat. It’s another graceful display of his truly stunning songwriting and incredible vocal panache to provide a dazzling finale to his enchanting debut EP.

Listen to YESTERYEAR below