Rising, 21-year-old Norwegian pop artist Sigrid shines on her ‘raw’ new single, “Raw.” Despite its title, the singer shows incredible control, showcasing her distinct vocal tone.

Who is Sigrid? She’s the up-and-coming, 21-year-old Norwegian pop star who wowed us with “Don’t Kill My Vibe.” “Don’t Kill My Vibe” was so good that it appeared on our final 100 Best Songs of 2017, following previous appearances on our Best Songs of 2017 (So Far): Edition 2.0 and Infographic | 80 Best Songs of 2017 (So Far), Edition 3.0. Impressive.  After shining once more on single “Strangers”, she’s even more compelling on “Raw.”

“Raw” has plenty of selling points.  Sigrid has a distinct tone, that shows from the abrupt start with the first verse.  She delivers playful vocals that direct the listener to each and every word she sings.  She picks up steam beginning with the catchy pre-chorus.

“No, I could never fake it

Like players always playing

Arrest me if I hurt you

But no apologies for being me.”

She follows up the pre-chorus with the centerpiece – the killer chorus.  Not only are the vocals brilliant, but the production has a ‘controlled edge.’ It’s more robust than the majority of the record, yet it’s also relatively poised.  Sigrid digs in, but she doesn’t ‘overblow’ things in the least, raw or not.

“I just wanna be pure

You know I’m terrible at putting on a show, oh

That’s what you wanted me for?

So, I get pissed off when you ask me to be more

Oh, I just wanna be raw

Oh, I just wanna be raw.”

In addition to the chorus sections, the bridge is another pro for the pop artist. Despite the parental advisory tag awarded to the single, “Raw” is relatively inoffensive, save for a lone ‘s-bomb’ on the second verse.  Hey, some television networks such as FX and AMC get away with it without a hitch, right?

Final Thoughts

All in all, Sigrid continues to build a case to become the next big thing stateside.  America has been blessed with its own crop of homegrown pop stars, as well as some truly awesome imports.  Sigrid is among that awesome group of newcomers hailing from other countries that deserves to get love stateside.

Sigrid • Raw – Single • Island • Release: 3.14.18

Writers: Odd Martin Skålnes & Sigrid Solbakk « Producers: Martin Sjølie, Odd Martin Skålnes & Stig Frogner

Photo Credit: Island