Smith & Thell Let Their Immersive Storytelling Take Center Stage on ‘A Chosen Family’ EP Out August 23rd
May 24, 2024 BY Emma Orland
Swedish duo Smith & Thell announces their EP A Chosen Family will be out August 23. Inspired by the stories and experiences of the people in their lives,he award-winning band’s new music wraps stadium-size pop in warm and eloquent folk, and their latest single, “UFO,” is no exception. Featuring powerful harmonies over a steady bassline and boisterous piano, the song takes listeners on an extraterrestrial journey. Pre-order the EP HERE and listen to “UFO” HERE.
During 2023, the band stole away to Southern California, holing up in a cozy house in Sherman Oaks for a writing camp and leaned into the stories around them, resulting in A Chosen Family. “In our music, we typically tell our own stories,” says Maria. “However, there are so many people who aren’t songwriters or artists, and their stories may never be heard. We’re exploring this concept on the record. We’re taking inspiration from our experiences and the individuals around us. We all have a story.”
Maria reflects about the outcast anthem, “UFO,” “It’s a song for the misfits who don’t belong. This person ends up in a conversation at a party and feels like an outsider. Maybe they’re too emotional or maybe they dress weird, but it’s that feeling of being an alien in this world. Conceptually, we always liked to write about space too.”
“UFO” is the follow up to the captivating and rousing single “Waste of Time” about the one-who-got-away and the impassioned and uplifting “Little Altar Boy” about finding your true passion in life. Stay tuned for more new music off the EP by following the band on socials.
A Chosen Family tracklisting:
- Waste of Time
- Little Altar Boy
- UFO
- At Least I Tried
- Let The Good Ones Go
About Smith & Thell
Smith & Thell—Maria Smith [vocals, guitar] and Victor Thell [vocals, guitar, production]—have generated billions of streams, packed venues, and enraptured fans worldwide. Smith & Thell’s story began as teens in Sweden. Maria and Victor forged a friendship, fueling their creativity and collaboration. They enchanted audiences with the likes of Soulprints [2017], Pixie’s Parasol [2021], and Acoustic In Isby [2021]. Meanwhile, “Forgive Me Friend” [feat. Swedish Jam Factory], “Hotel Walls,” and “Year of the Young” each garnered millions of streams. Along the way, they shared stages with Young The Giant, Fitz And The Tantrums, and more. At the same time, they wrote music for Jennifer Lopez to Rauw Alejandro to Ava Max’s RIAA gold-certified smash “So Am I,” which won “Composer of the Year” at the 2020 Swedish GRAMMIS. Now, the band is back and their immersive storytelling takes center stage on A Chosen Family EP [Nettwerk] out this fall.
