While this might be her debut release, Nea (real name Linnea Södahl) is no newcomer when it comes to pop. She’s been treading her way up the ladder for years as a prolific songwriter whose writing catalogue has garnered over a billion streams.
She has written for multiple high profile artists and credits on tracks alongside the likes of Zara Larsson, Anne Marie, Tove Styrke, and Tinie Tempah. She has also scooped a generous handful of songwriting awards in her blooming career, including Denniz Pop Rookie Award and the Topliner of the Year Award by SKAP (Swedish Society of Songwriters, Composers and Authors).
Born in South Africa, she has traveled back to our shores to work closely with Star of Life, an NGO which spreads HIV awareness in schools through music. Here’s an artist with her priorities in place and it’s a treat to see.
Now, stepping into her own as an artist in her own right, she has dropped her debut release “Some Say”. If it sounds familiar there could be several reasons. Firstly it’s probably because the chorus melody line is practically lifted straight from Eiffel 65’s 1998 hit “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” – secondly, it may be because its been on rotation on over 40 local South African radio stations for a while now.
It’s a song about unrequited love you just can’t give up on (sound familiar too?) and favours a pizzicato, stepping-stone-esque melody and rhythm over which her silky vocals lay out a narrative. The video, directed by Argentinian filmmaker Leo Adef is soaked in steamy fantasies and wholesome moments between real couples, as opposed to actors.
Nea delivers an ever-relatable trope through a raw and intimate lens.
