NOEL “Heart Full of Ghosts”

‘A vulnerable and introspective collection of glittering indie-pop tracks that serve as a celebration of strong production, song writing, and engaging nuance’ – Wonderland
‘Powerful vocals and emotional crescendo’ – Atwood Magazine

Hot on the heels of his debut EP out earlier this year, Stockholm-born NOEL dives deeper into the complexity of emotions on his upcoming release Mementos, out 15th November.

Having found an audience on TikTok with covers recorded in his bedroom (which went on to gain over 10 million views and counting), Sweden’s NOEL found himself inspired by Lewis Capaldi, stunned by his songwriting and delivery. The young musician’s creative fire and confidence gained from his online presence spurred him on to write, create and release a debut EP of his own original material Headed North, which was released in early 2024. A piano-led, tender collection of songs, NOEL quickly wrote even more, resulting in its upcoming follow-up. Entitled Mementos (out 15th November), it’s evident how much his songwriting skill has grown in a short period of time – conveying relatable intense feelings and thoughts with a climactic flair to each track, NOEL is continuing to find his stride as a creative force. 2024 is just the start for this Swedish talent.

NOEL: ‘Creating this EP has been an incredibly rewarding experience. For me, music is a powerful outlet, a way to express emotions that can be hard to put into words. While the songs might have a darker tone, working on them has actually brought me a lot of joy. I’ve learned that embracing sadness is an essential part of finding happiness, and I wanted that to come through in my music. I’m really proud of this EP, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.’

Opening the EP is ‘Without Calling’, setting the stage for NOEL to explore a tangled web of emotions, firstly with how to fathom someone else loving you when you don’t see yourself as good enough. Straight away the musical evolution is clear, with stunning layered harmonies and a rough-around-the-edges build to its chorus. Leading into ‘Out of My Mind’, the first piano chords harken back to NOEL’s debut EP before giving way to a pulsing, anxious beat and suspenseful lyrics – ‘These demons haunt me every night / If I don’t run they’ll eat me alive / I pray to God I’m not losing it…’

A highlight of the EP lands directly in the middle with ‘Flowers at a Funeral’, a modern pop ballad which begins with a delicate acoustic strum, and builds up to huge 80s-sounding guitars, more vocal harmonies and even some banjo to add weight to the track. ‘On paper everything was great, and in my head it felt right,’ explains NOEL. ‘However, I just couldn’t get my heart to feel what my head wanted it to, and with that came a lot of shame.’ It’s easy to forget that this artist is still in his early 20s, as the ability to match the depth of his lyrics to such layered music reflects an artist far beyond his years.

The last two tracks will arrive with the EP’s release – the first being ‘Heart Full of Ghosts,’ one of the EP’s earliest to be written as it struggles with showing a vulnerable side. The EP’s closer, ‘Nightmares’, perhaps saves the best for last. NOEL describes it as ‘a song that delves into the insecurities and doubts that can arise when you’re chasing your dreams. While I feel incredibly grateful and lucky to pursue my passion for music, that doesn’t mean the path is always smooth. There are moments when self-doubt creeps in, and it can be overwhelming.’ While the track’s haziness gives it a dream-like aura, there is something unsettling in the guitar lines playing ever so slightly out of tune, drifting alongside NOEL’s deep, husky vocals, bringing the EP to an intriguing and promising finish.

Artist bio:
Before capturing the hearts of millions on TikTok with his captivating bedroom covers, NOEL’s early years were consumed by his love for football. It wasn’t until a knee injury abruptly ended his football dreams at the age of 17 that music truly took centre stage in his life. Slowly but surely, NOEL started exploring his musical talents by singing in the shower and learning a few piano chords.
His journey as a songwriter began unexpectedly when his TikTok covers attracted the interest of industry professionals. At the age of 21, NOEL has already collaborated with seasoned songwriters and producers, channelling his innate talent and passion into his own original compositions. His debut EP Headed North was finally released at the start of 2024, and support has already been seen from the likes of Wonderland, Atwood Magazine, INJECTION and Noctis. With his new EP, NOEL is starting to look towards bringing these songs to a live performance environment – watch this space.

-Official bio