I thought I'd begin the new year with an artist, though not exactly new, has been a recent discovery of mine. Seth Nyquist, a young singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Canada has released three EP's and seven singles on his own label, Don't Guess, to date. His current single is 2020's “Don't Cry.” His first release, Live For Nothing, appeared in 2015 and he has been gaining popularity in his home country since then.
Nyquist was born into a foster home in Toronto in 1992. He was adopted into a Swedish family.
“MorMor” is Swedish for “grandmother.” He spent one semester studying sociology at Ryerson
I became interested in MorMor after my partner urged me to check out the video for his 2018 single “Heaven's Only Wishful.” The track begins with a standard 4/4 rock beat and is anchored by strumming acoustic guitars that build to an unexpected intensity at the close of the song which ends with the chant: “Some say you're the reason I feel this way.” MorMor's arrangements are usually sparse, focusing on his incredibly youthful-sounding voice that conveys a sense of being wounded yet hopeful: “Close your eyes and see it through. Chaos comes to collect the dues.”
His latest EP, the six-song, Someplace Else,” continues his distinctive sound. There are more electronics used for flourishes and atmospheric touches. The songs are dreamily introspective slices of soul-laced pop. Nothing is ever jarring, MorMor is a chill ride. I'm often reminded slightly of Prince's earlier ballads minus the playful sexuality. There is a haunting sense of optimism in many tunes that I find refreshing. MorMor 's material is generally soothing, quietly contemplative yet hooks the listener with memorable melodies and messages of hope to survivors of all kinds.
MorMor is worth checking out and he's quickly picking up interest in the U.S. Going on the strength of his abilities, his future should be limitless.
