Fusing pop and folk, Smith & Thell come to our attention through their new EP, A Chosen Family.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Karl Nordlund

A duo of Maria Smith and Victor Thell, the pair have known each other since their teen years in Sweden. They’ve already forged a successful career, earning millions of streams for previous records, and writing music for the likes of Jennifer Lopez. They’ve just come to our attention through their latest, love-filled EP, A Chosen Family.

Written in Southern California, USA while on a writing camp, the joy of the process seems to come through with every note of the EP’s five tracks, starting right from the off through the passionate and upbeat opener Waste of Time. The pair’s vocals work beautifully together as they trade verses and come together in a dramatic, life-affirming chorus.

At Least I Tried sees the addition of Wrabel and is an instantly memorable number thanks to its catchy melody and strong lyrical storytelling. There’s a wonderful charisma to Thell’s vocals in the verse before things become strikingly soaring in the chorus.

Little Altar Boy is beautifully rousing while UFO has a folksy, singalong quality. Its relatable lyrics are full of longing. I Let the Good Ones Go closes the collection with some country heartbreak. Again, the pair’s vocals are stunning in their harmonies, and there’s a bite to its lyrics that show Smith & Thell’s captivating dark side.

Smith & Thell’s new EP is a triumph. Brimming with catchy pop sensibilities, it combines those with astute storytelling across its five tracks, each bringing its own sense of character. Fans of the likes of Of Monsters and Men or Mumford And Sons will find a lot to love about it.

A Chosen Family is out now and you can give it a listen below.