While I have concluded my pre-Eurovision coverage, for the time being. This does not mean that I am not prepared to search further beyond the waters of my UK homeland, to discover yet more emerging pop talents. If anything, being swept up by Eurovision euphoria these past few weeks has made me hungrier than ever to seek out rising stars and new electronic pop acts. On our latest discovery trip, we are staying in Europe but taking a short hop over to Norway to learn about Ruben. A singer-songwriter, whose debut tracks have amassed over seventy million streams during the last twelve months.
Regretfully, there aren’t enough hours in the day to fully check out every album or EP release which are sent into me. Although, when I was advised to check out the twenty-four-year-old Norwegian’s debut EP “Melancholic” I made an exception to find time to listen through the mini album, purely on the basis that the press photos were good. You will have no doubt worked out since you are reading this blog post, this was a decision which paid off. Despite the somewhat gloomy title, the EP is a confident body of work. Surprisingly made up of, animated electronic and pop embodied tracks. These tracks tackle issues around mental health. Far from wallowing in deep themes. Ruben utilizes lyrics to unburden the effects of the stresses and strains of life. The melodic, rousing soundscapes of these tracks suggest that to a greater extent he has arrived in a place where he is now looking to the light.
The current focus of the EP picks up with the brilliantly poignant track “Power” which just so happens to be my favourite song on the mini-player. Not only is the song powerfully emotive with thoughtful lyrics about battling the dark demons of doubt and depression. What it can feel like to be trapped by these thoughts. The music video hits right on the point of the matter, in an uninhibited way. Does an excellent job of promoting why we need to start up discussions around our mental health and wellbeing. There are definitely images in the clip which will touch and stay with you long after the music video reaches its closing moments.
The “Melancholic” EP does a fantastic job of laying down the groundwork as to why we should consider Ruben as a leading light among today’s new generation of singer-songwriters.
Connect with Ruben
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheArtistRuben/
Twitter: @theartistruben
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartistruben/