Estonian alt-pop singer-songwriter NOËP is poised to announce a brand new release with the arrival of ‘Kids’ featuring British singer Emily Roberts, lifted from the forthcoming album ‘No Man Is An Island’ due this November through Humming Records / Warner Music.
‘Kids’ offers a stark, poignant message delivered through NOËP’s lush, understated production and anchored down by Emily’s soulful vocals. He says: “People tend to think that KIDS is about connecting with our inner child, youthfulness etc. and in a way it’s great that they do. But actually it is yet again (as many of my recent tracks) inspired by environmental concerns and how we grown-ups are just big toddlers who can’t see past the well-being of our own noses. In fact, around the time we wrote the track Trump had just managed to get the US to leave the Paris Agreement and that was it”.
NOËP goes on to add: “The concept for the music video just kind of popped in my head. I think the reason for this was that I had a really clear message that I wanted to deliver with the music video; to give depth to the track itself and elaborate on the story, the message. It was a one-day shoot and I’m still amazed we managed to pull that off because it was a tight schedule. Luckily I had a great team and wonderful extras/actors which made it feel like a breeze.”
Hailing from Tallinn and inspired by artists such as Alt-J, Mura Masa and James
Hersey, NOËP’s unique blend of alternative pop with electronic undertones, has captured the attention of music lovers and industry all over the world, amassing over 40 million streams and counting. In addition to his global reach and appeal, NOËP is
something of a musical icon in his homeland, having been awarded ‘Pop Album of the Year’ at the Estonian Music Awards in 2019, for his debut EP ‘Heads In The Clouds’. Further afield, he has had airplay on BBC Radio 1, along with DSP editorial support from major markets such as UK and Germany.
What’s your story as an artist?
For most of my life music has been my hobby. Never figured I’ll be a full-blown musician one day, but here I am. Directing and editing was my nr. 1 passion growing up and in my early adulthood, but things took a turn after I released my first single ‘Move’ as NOËP. Creating (pop)music sometimes seems futile, ego-centric and perhaps even unnecessary which is why I’ve decided to use this platform to have at least some positive impact on the world we live in. Sounding real sententious I know, but that’s the story I guess.
What inspired this single?
For me, personally, this single is inspired by president Trump – odd as it sounds. His decision to cut US from the Paris Agreement to be more exact. And humanity as a whole – most of us care about the nature, but there are so few who really act upon it. (I don’t consider myself being one of these few to be clear)
What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?
For the past 3 years it’s mostly been driven by nature and the threat it’s facing. But there’s also room for love ofc – but I almost never write about ‘happy love’. There are always a few ‘buts’ in my stories – different angles/viewpoints to a situation or a problem.
Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing the album?
No. It was 100% serious. That was a joke. But it’s funny because it’s true – can’t recall anything of a sort right now.
Tell us about the music video and the idea behind it?
The idea behind the music video is simple – money always wins. It’s not an absolute truth, but a strong tendency – especially when it comes to the preservation of the nature.
What’s a record that shaped your creativity?
Maybe I would choose ‘Cloudlight’ by Eskmo. I remember when I first saw the video and heard the track – it’s when I first felt that I want to get into producing electronic music. Before that electronic music was rather distant to me. Also the track is full of details, but yet manages to sound minimal – this has definitely shaped my mindset regarding producing.
Who is an artist or band you look up to today?
I guess right now I would choose Disclosure. I enjoy playing their tracks in my DJ sets (who doesn’t) and I feel that their music is a good balance of emotion and drive – it ‘gets to you’, but it also makes you wanna move and I like that combination. Plus they seem like overall cool guys with a down-to-earth attitude – I appreciate that in an artist.
Any future projects?
Yes – I want to keep changing the ‘sound’ of my music: to keep surprising. I want to lose my sound.. then I’m free to do whichever music I like – if that makes sense at all. I think in the next project I will delve into sampling.
Top 3 dream collaborations?
Why not Disclosure since I already brought them up. Also Dua Lipa because why not! And third – Arvo Pärt.
What does music mean to you?
I have a weird relationship with music. I don’t particularly listen to a lot of music and I enjoy concerts only for a brief moment because I get easily tired I guess. But on the other hand – there’s no greater joy than coming up with a really fine tune or a melody or sound.. Plus… as they say – music really is an universal language.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?
I would say that the sound differs quite a lot, but there may be something in the emotion that stays the same – ‘positive melancholy’ I call it. ‘Never go full retard’ said Robert Downey Jr. in movie ‘Tropic Thunder’ – this has been my moto ever since when it comes to balancing the emotions I put in my music.
