Smerz

Artpop genius tricks from aspiring Smerz in Store VEGA

“Fabulous and melancholy”.

This is how Pitchfork characterized Smerz's album Big City Life last year in its enthusiastic review, resulting in an exceptional rating of 8.6 and the coveted “Best New Album” rating.

As the title reveals, it's music for the big city. Understated cool, eternally vibrating, self-consciously strolling, experimental and outreach, wryly bedchamber produced and with an alluringly sweet melodic core.

The Norwegian art pop duo consists of Catharina Stoltenberg and Henriette Motzfeldt, who write, produce and perform their own music. The couple have been living in Copenhagen for a number of years, which is why their albums are released at home via the record label Eshoo (Astrid Sonne, Iceage, Baby in Vain). Internationally, Smerz has released music through the style-creating indie label XL Recordings, behind experimental icons such as Arca, FKA Twigs and Burial, among others.

Smerz have long been underground darlings, but with Big city life they have got the gap through to a bigger international audience. They have also toured the globe, appearing at the legendary Tate Modern in London and MoMA in New York.

At home, the duo could most recently be experienced at Roskilde Festival, where they gave an amazing concert that — like their records — mixed performance elements and cool distance with infectious pop hooks and intimate moments.

Politiken awarded 4 hearts, Soundvenue followed up with 4 stars as did GAFFA, who called Smerz “one of the most interesting names in the Nordic region right now”. If you missed out on that occasion, Smerz, the opportunity will be there again soon.

For November 22, the duo will give their biggest Danish venue concert so far when they stand on stage at Store VEGA.