Michelle Ullestad,the 27-year-old Norwegian singerand songwriter who writes and sings in Norwegian,released her first single for the Bergen-based GEMSlabel late last year in the form of the bright indieanthem “Emilie”-which was theNRK P3’s track of themonthfor January. She followed this up with certifiedbanger “Sol”, the title track of her new EP.
Over the course of the last couple of years Michelle Ullestad has moved from writing dark, introspective acoustic songs to bright, addictive pop songs with dark self-analysis at their heart. The big things, but also the small day to day irritations, as well as being a young woman coping with ADHD, trauma and being a (single) mother in 2022. SOL is an energetic and upbeat collection of songs, and one that promises to fulfil Michelle’s status as Norway’s next big thing.
With the fun, danceable pop singles “Emilie” and “Sol” already released alongside “Tåpelig” – a collaboration with rappers Lasse Sliten and Tåpelig – SOL adds the tracks “Maktesløs” (“Powerless” in English), “Vi Sees” [See You] and the stunning focus track “Pant på Hjerter”…which translates to “Pawn A Heart”. The whole EP, produced and mixed by Eirik Hella (Moyka) with help from Simon Bergseth (Dagny, Emilie Nicolas) on “Pant på Hjerter”, is made to dance to, to celebrate the good things in life despite the mess the world and relationships can often be.
Michelle explains about the feelings captured in “Pant på Hjerter”: «Ill never love again.. but then, I always do. «Pawn a heart» is about being trapped in an endless circle of love turned heartache turned love turned heartbreak. When the good rutines like laughing of each others jokes, even the bad ones, being nice to one another or spooning at midnight, are replaced by arguing, looks of disgust and going to bed with our backs turned.. it might me time to end the relationship. But I’m dumber than I tought, and I can’t seem to stay away.»
The title, SOL, provides a nice counterpoint to the title of her first EP, det var litt morkt der en periode eller noe (it was a bit dark there for a while or something). “I like the light and dark, and it’s a good way of representing my music because it’s not so acoustic and sad now. It’s fun!”
