Annstiina – Berlin (2023)
Influenced by various sub-genres of pop, Finnish singer-songwriter Annstiina explores different flavours of pop in her unique sound. Exploring the piano and strings in her melodies, she creates a soundscape filled with diverse styles, real-life lyrics, and bold arrangements. For approximately two years, Annstiina has shared her music with the masses turning heads in her native Finland and further abroad. With coverage in independent publications such as IGGY Magazine, Wolf In A Suit, Artisti Online, FV Music Blog, and various others, Annstiina is gaining a loyal following on a global scale. The latest addition to her discography is the single ‘Berlin’.
Following her single ‘Game (Lalala)’, Annstiina releases her first single of 2023 – ‘Berlin’. Touching on the theme of escapism, she shares her real-life experiences to elegantly express this topic. When speaking about ‘Berlin’, she explains: “the song is musically inspired by this scene of floating over a Studio 54’ dancefloor… the lyrics are based on real events of life in a night club scene where she encountered a guy who looked like he could be from Berlin…the guy was a walking form of escapism and I was determined to join the ride.”
Recorded at Annstiina’s home with Lauri Hongisto, ‘Berlin’ combines elements of dream-pop with alternative pop in a hazy swirl of music. Eclectic from beginning to end, you are taken on a crazy journey in ‘Berlin’ while remaining in a calm, gentle and soothing bubble. A synth-driven electropop style drags along one side of the arrangement, but it is the piano and strings that bring the song home. Shifting from a contemporary pop piano to classical orchestral sounds, Annstiina shows her expertise with this tinkling instrument. Near the end, a strong swoop of strings adds to the orchestral tone introducing a chamber-pop intimacy to ‘Berlin’.
The melody is certainly breathtaking and can intoxicate a listener, but it is Annstiina’s vocals that insert an eclectic intimacy. Leaning toward the sounds of Tove Lo and Bjork, there is an obscurity in Annstiina’s twinkling voice bringing a mystical, fairy-like quality to ‘Berlin’. She shares that ‘Berlin’ is “a siren song tempting the listener to give in after this sort of cat-and-mouse game…”.
Intriguing, hypnotic and almost impossible to define, ‘Berlin’ has us on tenterhooks with a desire to fall under Annstiina’s spell.
For more from Annstiina, check out her Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustianablecurator
