After garnering attention across the web with her icy minimal electronics, Sea Change, the alias of Oslo-based Ellen A. W. Sunde, has confirmed details for her debut LP.
Previous singles ‘Bursting’, ‘Let’s Dance’ and ‘Bridges’ were released throughout 2014, drawing comparisons to the likes of Fever Ray, iamamiwhoami and Lykke Li and building a snowballing fan base. Her live performances have been a steady source of praise, playing festivals across Scandanavia and the rest of Europe including last year’s The Great Escape.
Layering collected sounds, punctuating beats, scattered vocal harmonies and kinetic choruses that hark back to her late 80s childhood, Sea Change captures an enchanting sense of magic and mystery.
Swooping from sparse moments of calm & fragility into intoxicating bass-fuelled turmoil, Breakage is a dynamic & captivating listen, documenting the sound of an exciting young musician stripping away her guards and finding a sense of freedom in her work.
“One thing I feel very strongly about is freedom and the need to let things go” Ellen explains. “I've spent so much time being too shy to show people my music or even actually write finished songs because of my own self-censorship. This whole Sea Change project is about letting go and just being comfortable in this space.”
It’s this palpable sense of seeking an escape from insecurities that led to the title of the record:“Breakage means the act of breaking or the state of being broken. Something must be broken to be able to go to a new place. For me, that’s a place where I can do what I need to do. I feel that with this album an old age is over and I'm ready for a new chapter.”
All of the tracks on ‘Breakage’ were recorded in Ellen’s bedroom in her hometown of Oslo, Norway and mixed by Endre Kirkesola.
It’s a stark & immersive personal journey into the world of Sea Change, striking a captivating balance between power & delicacy, landing distinct sound that hits deep & holds the listener’s attention throughout.
See Sea Change live:
27th Feb – The Sebright Arms, London, UK
'Breakage' track listing:
- Wooden House
- Squares
- Let’s Dance
- Above
- Fearless
- Stairs
- Knives
- We Run
- Raan