Eclectic entertainer Jenny Wilson, groovy gospel giver Janice, post-punk preacher Nicole Sabouné, and state-of-the-art soul singer Seinabo Sey – these four very different Swedish performers have one thing in common: they have all released excellent new music during this past year, works that share introspective qualities and uplifting messages wrapped in relentlessly realistic writing. Jenny Wilson’s seventh full-length album, Mästerverket (The Masterpiece), is her second in Swedish and her most revealing and self-examining one to date. Janice has put out singles ‘Let It Rain’ and ‘Magic’ from her new EP Feelings Unresolved, songs that offer a warm embrace and reassurance that even the toughest turns can be passed and forgotten. Nicole Sabouné’s 2021 album Attachment Theory, her first since 2015 debut album Miman, deals with rootlessness in entrancing heavy ballads that bring greats like Nick Cave and Siouxsie Sioux to mind. And Seinabo Sey’s EP Sweet Life marks her finding of both herself and a more harmonic way to approach music and the life that surrounds it.

Jenny Wilson has not only released Mästerverket this year, but also produced Nicole’s Attachment Theory. The duo is a surprising match made in heaven. “Jenny, beloved Jenny,” Nicole says affectionately. “She has as much a part of this album as I do. Jenny is the best we have in Sweden, and in my opinion absolutely unique internationally.”

“On Mästerverket, I reflect and reason regarding how things have gone the way they have, how one thing led to another in a dark downward spiral that took place during nearly a decade,” Jenny explains. “I look at repellent feelings like shame and loneliness, trying to understand and to forgive myself and the world I’m living in. But, during this wandering, there’s always hope of illumination, like safety reflectors in the dark.”

Jenny has spent this precarious pandemic period making music at an impressive pace, probably in part due to the isolation. “I liked the feeling of being more by myself, and I finished three whole albums from scratch,” she says. “I quit drinking alcohol in early 2020, so in many ways it was helpful that all nightlife was shut down, and I could do things that were good for me instead.”

Just like Attachment Theory, Mästerverket dwells on difficult topics but manages to point out a stream of light breaking through the thick clouds. “Just as on all my albums, I have used my most personal experiences as material for the lyrics,” Jenny says. “The record ends in what I would call ‘lightening’. Not euphoria, not obvious happiness, but a ‘lightening’…”

Janice Kavander, who is better known as just Janice, is well aware of the healing power of music. “For me, music has been a great salvation for rainy days and difficult periods in life,” says Janice. “During my grieving after the passing of my father, music opened me up to being able to talk about what I felt I couldn’t articulate for a long time. I believe that music’s healing power is enormous.” When listening to her song ‘Let It Rain’, and the rest of the Feelings Unresolved EP, you can both hear and feel this restorative power washing over you like a rebirthing flood, a catharsis of sorts. Resolving these feelings is what Janice calls “a work in progress”, involving the dissection and inspection of the emotions at hand. 

“I have spent this rainy year reflecting a lot about what the past years have been like, about what I want to say and meditate with my music,” she says. “I have also thrown myself out there and done things I’ve only dreamt of. I see the light so strongly, it might already be here? I don’t think I have ever been this ready to show much more of myself.”

Nicole Sabouné, whose Attachment Theory shows tremendous artistic development, paired with her growth as a person, says the years since her last album “have really been a journey” that has given her new perspectives on her attempts to revitalize her self-confidence. “I feel like I’ve become calmer and braver,” Nicole claims. “Some say you get less brave with time, but to me it has been the opposite way. I’ve dared to ask for help, dared to be vulnerable, and I think that might be reflected in the lyrics and the melodies in a way that it hasn’t before. I feel clearer now, to myself.”

Though sometimes bleak in tone, the subjects on Attachment Theory are tackled in a manner that I believe can help calm a listener’s anxieties, thanks to Nicole’s memorable and relatable lyrics – and her genuinely emotional performance. The album feels like it can take care of someone in need. “That’s wonderful!” Nicole says when I share this reaction. “To me,” she continues, “this album has been just that.” Maybe that’s why Attachment Theory works in this way for the listener, because Nicole herself has found it personally helpful while working on it. 

“To me, music that feels completely right in the moment is crucial, helping me out of situations, boosting both laughter and tears or raising self-confidence – music that feels certain and uncompromising,” she says, also pointing out that she has tried to portray both light and dark angles on her album’s subjects, doing her best to turn “the ugly into something playful and pretty, but also letting the sad and the crestfallen remain the way it is.”

Seinabo Sey says she has learned a lot about herself in the past year, during which she has put out laid-back feel-good EP Sweet Life, and managed to keep herself going by reaching a tranquillity in her everyday life. Looking at the title of one of Seinabo’s hit songs from a few years back, such as ‘Hard Time’, and comparing it to the songs on Sweet Life, one could say the transition into serenity is clearly seen in her music. 

“I almost can’t separate my life and my music anymore,” Seinabo says when I ask her about the part music has played in her getting to know herself better. “Music is everything, but at the same time, it’s nothing if I’m not feeling well. My music is only as good as I’m feeling. I think I’m more focused on what makes me truly happy now, than I’ve been before.”

Seinabo’s new, sweet life seems deeply connected to personal peacefulness and freedom, visible of course also in her work. “Freedom to me is choosing love before pride, and making all life decisions based on that,” she says, her voice draped in a wise calm that soothes the soul. 

Could it be that this past year’s hardships and setbacks have forced us all into necessary self-reflection? Judging from Jenny’s, Janice’s, Nicole’s and Seinabo’s new masterpieces, this seems to be the case – and music is often the key in such an evaluation of the self.

@jennywilson_official; @janice.this; @nicolesaboune; @seinabosey

Team Credits:
Words by FILIP LINDSTRÖM
Photography by ANTON RENBORG
Styling by Ellen X
Hair: KHADDY GASSAMA/SWEDISH HAIR MAFIA
Make-up: ELVIRA BRANDT
Stylist’s assistant: KEN MOGEKWU
Hair Stylist’s assistant: KHADIJAH MIRE
Photographer’s assistant: VANJA RENBORG

Fashion Credits:
#1 Blazer by NIKLAS GUSTAVSSON, pants by BEWIDER, earrings and rings by IOAKU
#2 Top by ROBIN SÖDERHOLM
#3 Leather jacket and dress by SIRI GERTONSSON, Earrings by STARSTUDIO
#4 Dress by SIRI GERTONSSON Earings by IOAKU
#5 Rings and earrings by IOAKU, top by RONJA BERG
#6 Blazer, skirt and bag by BRITTA ÅSÅKER, top worn as belt by RONJA BERG, rings and earrings by IOAKU
#7 Top by FREJA WESIK, Top by NOTION OF FORM, earrings by IOAKU
#8 Dress by FREJA WESIK, rings and earrings by STARSTUDIO

The Forumist, which is collaborating with Schweppes to celebrate the150th anniversary of their Iconic Tonic, has created three original cocktails based on the personalities of musicians Kleerup, Mapei and Linn Koch-Emmery, using a specific iconic tonic for each drink. Before trying these personalised beverages, it would help, of course, to get to know each of these creative individuals a little better by imbibing some words about them. The experiences of reading and tasting will help to give a clear sense of who the musicians truly are, in reverence to the artistic soul these three creators represent.

Mapei
Mapei, the Swedish-American singer known for her soulful sound, is interpreted in drink format as a refreshing yet sweet gin with iconic hibiscus tonic flavoured with raspberry, mint and pomegranate. The array of tastes in this otherwise classical concoction is quite fitting, since Mapei herself is a unique performer who can be simultaneously simplistic and diverse in her expression. Her music might take more than one sip to be grasped by the taste buds, but it might as easily slip down like a G&T Royale on a hot summer day. Maybe the various possibilities of reception to Mapei’s music comes from the way it’s created. “It’s all based on truths, things that have happened to me or others,” she says, when asked about how her experiences leak into her work. Her songs act as a means to process life, perhaps even to ease a burden. “You don’t know where to keep all your life events. They have to evaporate. You shouldn’t carry them around on your shoulders,” she says.

Describing herself as a “concrete rose”, Mapei certainly carries those experiences of hers with pride, blossoming in any environment and always remembering what made her bloom. “I am really hard working. Sometimes, I close my eyes to my frailty, to my sensitivity, even to my beauty because of my trying to grasp every opportunity to deliver. I stayed with my neighbour a lot when growing up. She was called Nana and was born in 1925 to African-American parents who had been enslaved. My mother worked two or three jobs her entire life. We are roses, diamonds, beautiful women who grow out of capitalism and society’s injustices, thanks to the dreams that water us.”

To fully revere the woman who shaped her, Mapei dedicates all of her music – if not all of her life – to her mother.
“I am an extension of her. Without her I simply wouldn’t be here. Now, when she is no longer in this world, her words echo louder and closer to the heart. She always gave me advice, and now I want to be a product of my mother’s good advice. I want to walk the path she wanted to see me take. My path. I want to feel good from what I do, in my body, soul and heart. Blood, sweat and tears have to lead to laughter, right?”

Watered by dreams, blood, sweat and tears, Mapei is nothing less than a flower that keeps on growing.

Mapei’s G&T Royale with Schweppes Tonic Hibiscus
The passionate energy of this poised and dedicated artist and the uniquely complex voice that she brings to her music are reflected by this cocktail’s rich combination of flavours of pomegranate, a hint of fresh mint, Schweppes Tonic Hibiscus, gin and a rich boost of bubbles.

Recipe:
5cl gin of choice
1cl raspberry liqueur
1tsp pomegranate syrup
Pomegranate arils
Mint sprig
Optional lemon twist
Schweppes Tonic Hibiscus
Champagne or Cava for the Royale version

Linn Koch-Emmery
Linn Koch-Emmery, an up-and-coming musician whose work has emerged from the Swedish underground music scene during recent years, is channelled through a salty tequila and iconic Twist of Lime tonic drink draped in various citrus juices and sweetened by agave syrup. In a way, the drink reflects the salted edges of her custom rock-filtered indie pop, exemplified perfectly in her newly released single ‘Hologram Love’, taken from her upcoming debut album, hopefully, due for release next year. The tune depicts the beautiful thought that something lost but meant to be, might return one day. This comforting idea is wrapped in a sound that effectively represents what guitar-driven pop music is in 2020, and probably what it will be for years to come. Equally representative of the zeitgeist is the background to Linn Koch-Emmery’s music. “My songs are mostly about personal nonsense and in some sense my personal shortcomings” Linn says. “My music is self-centred and personal. Where else does one get space to twist every parameter of one’s personality without seeming narcissistic? To me, songwriting is an alternative to keeping a journal or getting therapy. It’s an innocent form of self-medication.”

Emerging onto the scene four years ago with the hard-hitting single ‘Come Back’, Linn Koch-Emmery’s musical journey has taken her above the surface of the immediate underground, for example landing her support gigs for greats like Liam Gallagher, The Hives and Pussy Riot,
as well as European tours. Looking back, it seems like a tremendous change, but what has happened artistically between ‘Come Back’ and ‘Hologram Love’?

“I still write the music in the same way, at home with my guitar and my computer,” Linn says, “but I think it has become more dynamic and playful with time. I’m not the same person I was back then, I don’t listen to the same music, I don’t read the same books or watch the same things. I don’t care much for sticking to a strict sound – I still love the Pixies and all that, but I couldn’t care less if a middle-aged man in Gothenburg gets disappointed because there’s not enough guitar feedback on the new album.”

Obviously, Linn Koch-Emmery is the absolute symbol of the modern musician, an artistically self-aware individual who does what she does solely for her own purpose. It’s refreshing, it’s unfiltered, it’s 2020. Nothing encapsulates today’s individualistic landscape better than Linn’s words about the significance of her craft: “Music gives me a form of meaning in life, but for someone else that meaning might be fast cars or raising wiener dogs. I don’t believe you need to celebrate life, we haven’t chosen it. Sometimes life is the worst and sometimes it’s great. According to me, the strength of music is that it flaunts nuances of both.”

Linn Koch-Emmery’s Salty Tequila with Schweppes Tonic Twist of Lime.
This cocktail is a short, sharp, laid-back package, just like Linn’s music, complete with an edgy delivery; it’s rimmed with a personality that’s salty with a zesty hit of charisma and spice, boosted with Schweppes Tonic Twist of Lime, tequila and Yuzu Sake to capture the sheer drama of her creativity.

Recipe:
4cl tequila of choice
1cl Yuzu Sake
1cl fresh mandarin juice
1cl agave syrup
Pinch of salt
Schweppes Tonic Twist of Lime

Andreas Kleerup
Andreas Kleerup, known simply by his surname, is music. There is no better way of describing him. His essence, his core, his talk, his walk, his way – is music. Attempting to fully understand a human being so completely constituted by music is perhaps best done by listening
to his work, but The Forumist’s newly crafted Schweppes cocktail entitled Warm Embrace – put together with rum, iconic Pink Pepper tonic, chilli, Thai hot basil and more – makes a close interpretation of his personality. Kleerup is altogether a warm person, although somewhat complicated, inviting yet distant in an enigmatic way.

In fact, merely listening to Kleerup’s music might not explain his complexity for an untrained ear, since his musical DNA is composed of fragments of widely different influences. Having started as a drummer at a very young age, he has been bitten by the jazz bug, gathered the contagious melodies of his adolescent hard rock favourites, picked up the best aspects of his former collaborators Robyn and Teddybears, and combined it with his love for monotonous kraut rock – all of it laced together and gift-wrapped in perfectly smooth electronic pop albums such as his self-titled 2009 debut and the recently released follow-up 2. These two records made Kleerup famous as a producer, and he says he feels at times that he is wrongly labelled as “only” that. Seeing the bigger picture, grasping the entirety of the musical machinery driving Kleerup, the organic movements fuelling him by also being part of the more rock-oriented band
Me and My Army become apparent. Along with his current project, intriguingly character-breaking 90s-esque recordings bound for release during 2021, the less famous corners of Kleerup’s catalogue probably explains him better than anything.

“Music to me is being as honest as you can possibly be,” Kleerup says, after revealing his liking for literature but that he would never want to be a writer. “If you have the ability to describe human emotions, you should, and with a bit of luck other people might find themselves in your descriptions.”

In a certain way, this quote sums up the person that is Andreas Kleerup as well as the music that he makes. Complete honesty, portrayed through a cultural medium that inhabits every atom of his being, that is the warmth mentioned earlier. Many may try, but there might not be a better way of explaining Kleerup to the world.

Andreas Kleerup’s Warm Embrace with Schweppes Tonic Pink Pepper.
To match Andreas’s global multi-dimensional personality, which is as diverse as his musical engagements, we include a refreshing balance of sweet, tangy and bitter elements, invigorated
by Schweppes Tonic Pink Pepper, rum and red aperitif – all like the upbeat tones of his music.

Recipe:
3cl rum of choice
10 min chilli infusion optional
1.5cl passion fruit liqueur
1.5cl red aperitif
½ fresh squeezed lime
1 fresh passion fruit
Slice red chilli (heat optional)
Thai hot basil
Schweppes Tonic Pink Pepper

Team credits:
Photography by Ivan Nunez (black & white photos) and Schweppes (colour photos)
Styling by Hanna Kisch
Hair & make-up by Elvira Brandt
Words by Filip Lindström
Special thanks to Schweppes

Fashion credits:
Mapei wears:
Blouse by Sirloin, Pleather pants by BeWider, Heels by Acne Studios, Earrings, Necklace and Bigger ring by Avidue, Thinner rings by Felicia Svartling

Linn Koch-Emmery wears:
Leather Pants by Acne Studios, Knitted Sweater by Acne Studios, T-Shirt Linn’s own,
Bigger Earring by Avidue, Smaller Earring and Necklace Linn’s own, Rings by Felicia Svartling, Shoes Linn’s own

Andreas Kleerup wears:
Suit by Acne Studios, Elastic hair tie and Handkerchief Andreas’s own, Rings by Felicia Svartling, Boots Andreas’s own, Loafers by Myrqvist

A community can stand for many things; Your inner circle, a creative collective, a group of like-minded people you were lucky to find. The people who share your passions, beliefs, or who simply lift you up and make you bloom by just letting you express yourself freely. For creator Ellen Elias this became very clear during the past nine months. The world was shutting down. The prospects became darker, but, on the contrary, for her and other artists, creativity and creative identity established itself, in conjunction with the definition of who the people were that mirrored and pushed her forward. To celebrate that exchange, photographer Anton Renborg and Ellen Elias give creative space to a few personalities from that human connection circle that we all need to thrive and remind us of who we are. Rapper, producer, and director Ayesha Quraishi with her son Ari. Best friends; Dancer, actor, and model Fredrik Quinones and dancer Talia Gallegos Fadda. Film and art curator Samuel Girma and his son Jonatan. Professional athlete Marvin Tay, PR consultant Fardossa Abdalla, and model Fariyah Ahmed.

Team credits:
Photography by Anton Renborg
Styling by EllenX Elias
Photographer assistant Tove Wall Dyrting
Stylist assistant Elca Heinebäck
Make-up by Milena Yigzaw
Models: Ayesha Quraishi, Ari Aschberg Quraishi, Marvin Tay, Fredrik Quinones, Talia Gallegos Fadda, Samuel Girma, Jonatan Girma, Fardosa Abdalla, Farhiya Ahmedi
Thank you to Studio Klippgatan

Fashion credits:
#1 Ayesha Quraishi (mother) wears Jacket by Woolrich, Pants by Bewider, Head Accessories stylist’s own
Ari Aschberg Quraishi (son) wears Turtleneck Top by Acne Studios, Bag by Ina Faaks,
Facemask stylist’s own
#2 Fredrik Quinones (left) wears Jacket by Stand Studio,
Pants by Bewider, Earrings by Caroline Svedbom, Necklace by Starstudio, Shoes by Our Legacy
Talia Gallegos Fadda (right) wears Jacket by Acne Studios, Leather Pants by Ina Faaks,
Head Props stylist’s own, Necklace by Caroline Svedbom, Shoes by Steve Madden
#3 Samuel Girma (father) wears Coat by Stand Studios, Skirt by Ganni, Top by Linus Leonardsson, Pants by Bewider, Hat by Hattbaren, Shoes stylist’s own, Bag by Steve Madden
Jonatan Girma (son) wears Jacket, Pants and Bag by Diemonde, Accessory Vest by Antonia Pihl, Head Wrap, Skirt by Boohoo, Sunglasses by Silhouette, Leather Gloves by Handsome Stockholm, Shoes Vagabond
#4 Fardosa Abdalla (left) wears Jacket by Stand Studio, Bodysuit by Bowie Wong.
Fariyah Ahmed (right) wears Jacket by Our Legacy, Bodysuit by Bowie Wong,
Leather Shorts by Stand Studio, Leather Boots Steve Madden, Face Jewellery by Starstudio
#5 Marvin Tay wears Pants by Antonia Phil, Hat by Hattbaren, Scarf by Naim Josefi,
Shoes by Our Legacy
#6 Ari Aschberg Quraishi wears Turtleneck Top by Acne, Bag by Ina Faaks, Facemask stylist’s own

Team Credits:

Photography by Jasmin Storch
Styling by Josef Forselius
Make-up by Linda Öhrström
Models: Sebastian, Nobelle, Julius Von Hausswolff, Veronica Löfdalh, Weronica Hinc, Monika Rems

Fashion Credits:

All images: Trousers & denim by Bewider, all other clothes second hand