Akiine

Hometown: London via Sweden
Lineup: Akiine
For fans of: Solange Knowles, Blue Hawaii, Lianne La Havas
Key track: ‘Sunglassey’, ‘Blueberry Mountains’
See her live: Akiine is yet to announce any live dates
Connect: Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | BandCamp

London-based vocalist Akiine makes precisely the sort of pointed, lissome pop you’d expect of a young woman raised on the edges of a Swedish forest.

Debut tracks ‘Sunglassey’ and ‘Blueberry Mountains’ carry all the hallmarks of a bona fide Scandinavian popstar in the making. Humble marimbas and muted 808s provide a scenic, mellow canvas for Akiine’s glossy tones to flourish on ‘Sunglassey’, the marginal standout of the gorgeous brace, while gloopy synth curlicues and woody hand percussion evoke Montreal dreamers Blue Hawaii on ‘Blueberry Mountains’. Interest piqued? It should be.

Her formative years spent singing in choirs and frolicking in forests obviously play a key part in the gentle nature of her music. There’s an alluring timbre to Akiine’s voice, matching that of Lianne La Havas’ smooth husky tone, while the sweetness and simplicity of her lyrics – keeping out of the rain, meeting boys, running into the wind – give off the same earnest, carefree vibe as Solange. Playful dream-pop has a new poster-girl.