Debut EP from Whammyboy

Norwegian artist and producer Whammyboy, the alias of Noah Johansen, brings a unique blend of cultural influences and a passion for music to his sound. Born to a Vietnamese father and a Norwegian mother, Whammyboy’s multicultural background has shaped his identity and artistic expression.

He grappled with a sense of not quite belonging until he discovered the power of music. Music became his sanctuary, a place where he found belonging and purpose. His journey began playing Guitar Hero and the sounds of bands like Green Day and Rammstein. Yet, his musical horizons expanded when he drew inspiration from the electronic music his parents played during his formative years.

Writing, producing and mixing all his own music, he made his debut with the single “On My Mind” in 2020. Since then, he’s been steadily building his presence, earning accolades along the way. More recently he’s been dropping a string of tracks in the build up to his debut EP. Now bringing us his first EP, aptly titled SPACE POP VOL. 1, he shares a superb 5 track release to offer the perfect run through of his sound.

The EP opens with “Ocean,” a vibrant and catchy love song that embodies the desire to connect with someone on a deeper level. It’s a shimmering synth pop outing infused with infectious energy. “Heart” follows with its bouncy rhythm, intricate guitar plucks and a euphoric indie-electronic pop sound. The song captures the exhilaration of feeling an instant connection with someone new.

“Goosebumps” keeps the momentum alive with its punchy pop anthem vibes, blending soft, airy verses with crunchy synth textures in the chorus. “Chop It” is an electrifying dance pop anthem that explores the notion of being absent in the moment. It’s a sonic rollercoaster powered by pulsating instrumentals and commanding vocals.

The EP concludes with the lead single “Enjoy The Feeling,” a reflective piece reminding us to savour the present and not dwell on what could go wrong in a relationship. Building from a delicate, blissful sound of soft synths and delicate percussion in the verse to a spacey synth-driven landscape in the chorus full of soaring synth lines and vocal leads to craft a truly mesmeric finale to the EP.

Each track on SPACE POP VOL. 1 is a vibrant brushstroke on the canvas of his artistic vision and the result is a vivid, memorable and energising sonic experience. As Whammyboy continues to share music, he’s undoubtedly an artist to follow this year and beyond.

Commenting on the EP and its reference to his original sound, he shares, “I have labeled my music as Space Pop to give myself a genre of my own, so I could feel that I could define what I can do in my own expression. I felt it was suitable since I like the sound to be a bit spaced with echoes and reverbs, and it’s, in a way, an alternative form of pop in my eyes. Sometimes I pretend that some of the songs are being played on the radio on extraterrestrial planets, haha.”

Listen to SPACE POP VOL. 1 below