Hanne Mjà¸en Displays a Restrained Pop Grace on "Too Tired" [Premiere]
Photo: Fabian Fjeldvik
From the experimental pop futurism of Robyn to the haunting folk-pop meditations of AURORA, Scandinavia is clearly no stranger to producing all manner of pop stars. And Hanne Mjà¸en seems to be the latest in the long lineage of pop royalty. Emerging from the frosty chill of Opdal, Norway, Mjà¸en's music betrays her icy origins, delivering a vision that is equal parts pristine and warm.
Mjà¸en's latest single, "Too Tired (Don't Feel a Thing)," which we are elated to premiere here today, follows her collaborative single with Felix Cartal, "My Last Song," and the budding hit "Hell With You." "Too Tired" makes a noted departure from her previous more electro-infused outings, instead opting for a more restrained moment of candid reflection. The effect is a track with all the markings of an infectious pop slowburn and all the power of an impassioned, striking ballad.
Despite the emotive nature of the track, the lyrics tell a story of lingering ambivalence and despondency. "I created the song to reflect the feeling of being exhausted after a fight, regretting what you said, and reflecting if we work being more than friends. It's about shutting down when you feel too much, and making yourself go numb, cause you're too tired to feel anything, and too broken to let someone in on it. When watching the other person cry doesn't make you sad anymore, cause you're in a state of mind where nothing affects you," shares Mjà¸en.
Taking inspiration from the likes of Robyn, Flume, and Lorde, there is a palpable emotional undercurrent that runs through every second of "Too Tired (Don't Feel a Thing)." Deftly balancing meticulously crafted production, a voice that is light as air, and lyrics that never fail to hit their mark, Mjà¸en has gifted us with an understated pop stunner that has us all the more excited for what's to come.
Listen to "Too Tired (Don't Feel a Thing)" below:
