Sat 1 May 2021 09.00 EDT
Youthful beginnings traditionally tend to be noisy. Over a series of standalone tracks and EPs, the Norwegian singer-songwriter Girl in Red has already produced a couple of albumsâ worth of rallying anthems leavened by quiet introspection. She is typical of, but also transcends, the diaristic, self-produced bedroom pop that has become prevalent in recent years, thanks to the democratisation of the means of production that has put power in the hands of younger, more female artists.
Moshpit-ready and refreshingly direct, Marie Ulvenâs songs about her sexuality (she likes girls) and mental health (up and down) have already become era-defining, to the point where âDo you listen to Girl in Red?â has become a discreet online query into someoneâs orientation. In truth, Ulvenâs Gen Z candour speaks to all comers, not just those who are LGBTQ+. Careening around, falling in love and out of it â this is universal, age-old song fodder
Marie Ulven, known by her stage name girl in red, sits down with
Teen Vogue over Zoom â the camera off, just as sheâs done in other interviews â from her home country of Norway. Sheâs just finished recording a performance for an award show, and thereâs some rustling around in the background. Sheâs putting on a jacket. Sheâs a little breathless. âThis is going to be a bit of a girl on the move type of interview,â she warns, âbut that s alright.â
A few minutes later, more rustling. âSorry. My friend is trying to put a pizza box in the car and I was like, âThat s not going to work out,ââ she says flatly. But anyway, back to the topic at hand: concrete.
Marie Ulven ⦠âItâs good to make fun of stuff thatâs uncomfortable, owning your embarrassmentsâ Photograph: Jonathan Kise
Marie Ulven ⦠âItâs good to make fun of stuff thatâs uncomfortable, owning your embarrassmentsâ Photograph: Jonathan Kise
Whether her theme is desire or depression, Marie Ulvenâs honesty, wit and willingness to share her secrets have turned the Norwegian musician into a Gen Z queer icon
Thu 22 Apr 2021 09.00 EDT
Last modified on Thu 22 Apr 2021 13.36 EDT
âIâve never heard a song with people screaming they want to cut their hands off,â muses the Norwegian singer-songwriter Marie Ulven. Recently, she decided to rectify this with Serotonin, a joyfully effervescent pop-punk track about her long-standing battle with intrusive thoughts (produced by Finneas, Billie Eilishâs brother and collaborator). For Ulven, writing about her mental health is an act of both catharsis and public service.
Fresh from landing in the BBC Sound of 2021 list , alongside hyped backing from the likes of NME, The New York Times, Vogue, Dazed, DIY and more, today girl in red has announced details of her long-awaited, debut album if i could make it go quiet .