MIRIAM is a singer songwriter, producer and musician from Skurup in Sweden who has just released her debut album. Drawing influence from R&B, soul, hip-hop and gospel, it’s not your average pop affair. It’s called Färgstarkare.
By Graeme Smith
Feature photo by Nils Sjöholm
Färgstarkare translates in English to “more colourful” and the album is a reflection on the things that bring colour to Miriam’s life, both the light and the shade. It’s its sense of the personal that draws you in. Miriam clearly puts so much of herself into her songs. The journey starts with the uplifting Varför Inte Säga PT1, a bright, catchy opening moment with an expansive, cinematic chorus.
Måste Veta treats us a moody piece of hip-hop made rich by organ and percussive textures before we get the album’s first single release, Ser Er (in English “See You”). A powerful piece of electronic pop, Miriam’s vocal delivery in the verse is particularly expressive and the instrumentals in the hook are sublime. I was definitely nodding along. The first half of the album is rounded off by the delicately dreamy Cykeltur, which features rapper and producer Hugo Sundberg, and the life-affirming Ensamheten.
At the start of the album’s second half, we get part two of Varför Inte Säga. Opening with gentle piano and soulful vocals, it shows another, stripped-back side of Miriam’s sound. It leads into the album’s second single Hitta Hem. Paired with the track before, there’s a more introspective feel to the start of the album’s second half.
Lyckevägens Strand continues this vibe with a soft, pensive and slow-building R&B arrangement before Barn brings an ambient and acoustic moment. The album closes with its title track which ties the musical themes of what has come before nicely while still providing an expansion of Miriam’s sound with retro pop elements.
Färgstarkare is such a vibrant collection of alternative pop tracks. Even if, like me, you don’t speak a word of Swedish, you’ll be able to appreciate the emotion and catchy melodies of this album. Miriam has definitely proven herself to be a hidden Swedish gem who has been a joy to discover for this blog.
You can listen the whole of Färgstarkare below.
