Loreen - My Heart Is Refusing Me (International Version) + Crying Out Your Name

Loreen has been busy readying her dubut album Heal which is out October 24th, after years in the making. On it we get this tasty new version of her Scandinavian hit from last year - My Heart Is Refusing Me. We love that she won Eurovision with Euphoria and upped the quality of the contest big time and then went on to actually selling the single across Europe. She has major star quality and a banger of a follow up single! This new version we can hear being played everywhere - it sounds like a massive hit and we love that it's big on emotions and so dark. Top marks! Since this was one of the entries in the Swedish tryouts for Eurovision last year and a top 10 hit in Scandinavia that market is getting its own release - Crying Out Your Name. This isn't such an in your face kinda song, more like a slow burner that will make people interested in the album. Listen to both below! For the original 2011 version of  My Heart... click here! Enjoy! 

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Polar Music Prize 2012 - Musical Performances

The equivalent to a Nobel Prize for a musician would have to be the Polar Music Prize. This years recipients are Paul Simon and Yo-Yo Ma, who both traveled to Sweden to accept. Both are exceptional at their craft and truly well deserved winners. Some of Sweden's finest contemporary artists paid tribute - and below are what we gathered from our beloved youtube! Really amazing to see the reaction from Paul Simon watching and taking in the moment. Must be such an emotional roller coaster hearing your babies like this sitting next to the Swedish royals and being so in the spotlight for your life accomplishments. Enjoy! 

Laleh - Still Crazy After All These Years

Loreen - Bridge Over Troubled Water 

First Aid Kit - America

Timbuktu - You Can Call Me Al

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Loreen - Euphoria - Video Premiere

Loreen has had a magical year so far - winning Eurovision and actually selling Euphoria across Europe - hitting #3 in the notoriously tricky UK market as an example. The video just premiered and we love the idea of mixing this dance track with mysticism and an organic approach. Loreen and the forces of nature merge into one. The irony is that the video never feels euphoric and that they left out her amazing choreography from the live performances. Why?! Plus the video editing feels like it's a rough cut! We're thinking a narrative would have helped out a lot! But the track is still brilliant no matter what! Have a look below! Thoughts?

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Loreen - BBC Breakfast Interview

Loreen's international media blitz started today - and wisely she started with BBC's breakfast show! Euphoria is already midweek at #2 in the UK - which is incredible. Last time a Eurovision song was that successful in that market was in 1996 when Gina G competed for the UK and had a #1 single with Oh Ah Just A Little Bit. 16 years is a long time so it's a huge feat. How cool would it be if she went to #1 come Sunday?! Yeah! Check Loreen out below - love her energy!  

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Loreen - Euphoria - Homecoming Performance in Stockholm

36 hours after Loreen won Eurovision on Saturday she was #1 on iTunes in 16 countries including the notoriously difficult UK market. This teamed with the fact that she got votes from every country bar Italy + got the second highest total points in the competition's history since the start in 1956 makes for a perfect start! Last night she returned to her home in Stockholm, and a few hours ago was greeted by thousands of fans - she performed Euphoria twice for 'em too. The more experimental acoustic version together with Stockholm Strings - and then finished off with the single version. We love this gurls perfect pitch. Amazing to see the love! 

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