The Swedish artist Nea began her artistic path by writing songs for other artists, something that somehow led her to be heard, although what she was narrating was not her own emotions or experiences. In 2019 she decided to do it for herself and started writing songs to form her own musical range. Today, she presents her latest material under the name ‘Transparent’.
neaofficial.lnk.to/TRANSPARENT
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Photos by www.instagram.com/jasminstorch
‘Transparent’ is a selection of absolutely personal songs but in some way designed to connect with the public. It is a compilation of songs that have no waste. One or many of them will resonate with your story and with the kinds of love you have felt. It’s a thought-provoking journey that delivers an incredible mix of modern and refreshing pop sounds.
In this conversation, the artist offers us the selection of her favourites, reflects on the meaning of the album, the process of composition and production, and even opens up to share a traumatic episode from her life that she narrates today in the form of a song.
What is the story you wanted to tell through this album or the inspiration to make it?
I’ve been a songwriter writing for other artists for most of my career, and with this album, I wanted to challenge myself to do a body of work with songs that were so personal no one else could sing them – but still in a modern pop world. I feel like half of the album is super personal and half of it is feel-good pop songs that I just looove.
What is the significance of the title “Transparent” in the context of the album, and how is it reflected in the music?
When I write with another artist I always try to find out what’s on their mind and what’s their story. On this album, I wanted to ask myself the same question – and be transparent about it in my lyrics.
Do you think there is a common thread in this album or are they individual songs in which each one tells a story?
As a listener I think it might seem like a pretty scattered storyline throughout the album but the truth is that all songs show different sides of myself. The sassy me, the shy me, the romantic side, the childhood traumas, the friendships. It’s all part of myself and my story.
Love is perceived as a recurring theme throughout the songs of ‘Transparent’, although it is presented in different versions. Is that so?
Yes, I agree. There’s romantic love but I also wanted to shine a light on love in the form of friendship. My friends are soooo important to me and yet I haven’t written songs about it – until now.
You said, “There are many songs on this album that are too personal to ever give away to another artist”. What are those songs? Can you review the experiences hidden behind them?
Yes, some of the songs are more like a diary. Especially ‘Take It as a Man’, ‘Losing a Friend’, ‘Imagine’, and ‘Dance with Myself’. ‘Take it as a Man’ is about my biggest childhood trauma, Losing a friend was written when I had a fallout with one of my best friends and Imagine is about searching for love and finally finding it. Dance with Myself is about shutting out the world and just being yourself in your own company.
‘Take it as a Man’ has very hard and real lyrics that many women can identify with and that somehow feels like catharsis. There you ask yourself something very strong and that is if you should learn to take it as a man. Was it difficult for you to write it given the feelings that are involved?
‘Take It as a Man’ is probably the most personal song I’ve ever written. It’s about sexual abuse as a kid and it took me a long time to write it in the sense of it being impossible for me to talk about the matter for so many years. But now that I was finally ready to write about it, the song literally flooded out of me. With my heart hammering in my chest I sat on my sofa and wrote it in an hour. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people can identify with the lyrics and I hope it can make someone feel less alone.
On the other hand, ‘A Lover Like Me’ is a song that could be interpreted as an invitation to get to know your body, what you like, etc., to be able to feel pleasure. Is that so? What is the story behind this song?
I feel like one of the fun parts of writing songs is that you can choose who you wanna be. In ‘A Lover Like Me’ I stepped into the sassy side of myself and exaggerated it. It’s about not being happy with the selection of lovers out there and wishing they would step up and be as great as yourself.
The disconnection comes with ‘Dance with Myself’, right? A theme to enjoy one’s own company and celebrate ourselves.
Yes. As much as I probably can seem like an outrovert the way I function in a group I’m definitely an introvert and I need a lot of time by myself to reflect and recharge. Dance with Myself is about that.
How long did it take to create and produce this album? How was the experience of making this album in general terms?
It’s taken waaaaay longer than I expected to write this debut album of mine lol. I’ve probably been working on it for about two years. It’s been a lot of anxiety and doubt mixed with the ultimate euphoria when you feel like “We’re onto something amazing here!!”. I’m so happy about it now.
You found a creative partner in producer Daniel Ledinsky. How was it working with him? Who calls who?
It’s been great working with Daniel. He’s a very artistic person himself so the decision-making has sometimes taken forever and I’ve sometimes wondered who’s the artist of the two of us haha. But in the end, I’m super happy with the result. Our relationship is more about texting and irl convos.
You have won many international awards. Right now, what do you think would be the best prize for you with this new release?
Ahhhh what a dream-triggering question. One of my all-time goals is to win an American Grammy Award, but that’s something I’m aiming for long-term. Right now to win any ’Album of the Year’ or ’Composer of the Year’ prize would be such a dream and confirmation we did something right with this album.
Is it possible that you could give us the top 3 of your favourite songs from this album?
Hmm tough one but I’d say: ‘Imagine’, ‘Losing a Friend’ and ‘Take it as a Man’. Interesting how I haven’t reflected on how those songs are also my most personal songs.
Are there live performances in the medium term to promote the album?
I just did a live performance of my single Sweet Crash at one of Sweden’s biggest TV talk shows called ’Hellenius Hörna’, find it on YouTube!
