Malmö duo 7ebra return with new single 'Normal Song' via PNKSLM, UK Tour with Arab Strap next week.
The Malmö twin duo 7ebra - AKA Inez and Ella Johansson - release new single ‘Normal Song’ via cult Stockholm label PNKSLM (Shitkid, Miss World, Holy). It’s the first new music since the release of their critically acclaimed debut album Bird Hour in May 2023. ‘Normal Song’ is a natural continuation thematically from Bird Hour, with the new single finding the duo not only embracing their melancholy, but celebrating it.
"I see the song being about trying to please everyone but failing, having a lot of things that need to get done, but all you want to do is close yourself off and cry in the corner"
explains singer Inez.
"But then you think about it and say no, actually, I shouldn't have to suppress this despair I'm feeling - I wanna cry in an open field. It's normal to feel these things and you don't have to hide it, if you don't want to."
"When we originally had the idea for the song, it was sort of a lighthearted joke actually"
continues Ella.
"But it quite quickly resonated with us, and we realized that this could maybe turn into a proper song. We recorded it with Jens Lindgård at Gula Studion here in Malmö, and I think his production matches the story and juxtaposition of the song perfectly.
On first listen it maybe sounds like a lighthearted festival banger, especially with the big pumping chorus, but then you realise it's actually quite sad."
Built around their telepathic harmonies, close-up guitar and droning mellotron washes, it's a spartan indie sound. The style is equally inflected by dark folk elements, austere post-punk and woozy slacker, with earworms choruses.
‘Normal Song’ is out now digitally and is also set to be released on limited edition 7" vinyl on July 5th alongside the another new track ‘Daybreak’ via PNKSLM Recordings. 7ebra are also heading out on tour in May supporting Arab Strap.
Beautiful but punk, minimalist but epic, the duo had previously made their mark on the Swedish music scene, with support slots for Future Islands, Bob Hund and The Dandy Warhols already under their belts. They also played shows at End of the Road, Bluedot and SXSW festivals last year, as well as for an extensive UK tour with Teleman.
Live Dates
May 20 - Carlisle, UK - The Brickyard (w/ Arab Strap)
May 21 - Sunderland, UK - The Fire Station (w/ Arab Strap)
May 22 - Birmingham, UK - The Castle & Falcon (w/ Arab Strap)
May 23 - Bristol, UK - Colston Hall Lantern Theatre (w/ Arab Strap)
May 24 - London, UK - Koko (w/ Arab Strap)
May 25 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla (w/ Arab Strap)
May 26 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club (w/ Arab Strap)