“Fabulous and melancholy”.

That is how Pitchfork described Smerz ’s album Big City Life last year in its enthusiastic review, which resulted in the exceptional score of 8.6 and the coveted title of “Best New Album”. As the title suggests, this is music for the big city. Understatedly cool, perpetually pulsating, self-assuredly meandering, experimental and exploratory, quirky bedroom-produced and with a captivating, sweet melodic core.

The Norwegian art-pop duo consists of Catharina Stoltenberg and Henriette Motzfeldt, who write, produce and perform their music themselves. The pair have been based in Copenhagen for a number of years, which is why their album is being released here in Denmark via the record label Escho (Astrid Sonne, Iceage, Baby in Vain). Internationally, Smerz have released music via the trendsetting indie label XL Recordings, which is behind experimental icons such as Arca, FKA Twigs and Burial, amongst others.

Smerz have long been underground darlings, but with Big City Life they have broken through to a wider international audience. They have also toured across the globe, performing at venues including the legendary Tate Modern in London and MoMA in New York. Here in Denmark, the duo most recently appeared at the Roskilde Festival, where they delivered a sensational concert which – much like their records – blended performance elements and cool detachment with infectious pop hooks and intimate moments.

Politiken awarded them 4 hearts, whilst Soundvenue followed suit with 4 stars, as did GAFFA, which described Smerz as “one of the most interesting acts in the Nordics right now”. If you missed Smerz on that occasion, fortunately you’ll soon have another chance.

On 22 November, the duo will be playing their biggest Danish venue concert to date when they take to the stage at Store VEGA.