Anna of the North – Lovers

Norwegian-born Anna Lotterud’s vocals sound wistful and fragile over New Zealand-born Brady Daniell-Smith’s minimalist 80s-influenced synth-pop beats on this debut record under the Anna of the North banner. On lead single Someone, Lotterud sings, 'I’m only human baby / Need someone to come and save me,' and it sounds like she really means it. Like any great pop vocalist, Lotterud’s vocals have a truly authentic sensitivity to them that works even on the more upbeat tracks.

Ironically, however, the more upbeat-sounding tracks are the more scathing lyrically. 'Don’t want your body / Don’t want your love / She just wants your money, honey, open up,' sings Lotterud in an almost rap-like flow on Money, highlighting the duo’s hip-hop influences. The sharpness of the production and the pace of the vocal delivery is a contrast to the whimsical nature of the rest of the album, as is the case on the tropical house-influenced Fire.

Anna of the North succeed where so many other synth-pop acts fail, in being able to produce expansive electronic pop that is both poignant and uplifting. Pop sensibilities meet with emotive lyrics on Always and Feels, blending sadness and hopefulness in a way that the duo continually manage to execute so well. Lovers may be a break-up album, but it’s one full of optimism, and more than a few catchy pop choruses.

Listen to: Money, Feels