On "Next To Nothing" Norway's Farida announces herself as the next big R&B contender

We experienced Gjøvik-raised, Oslo-based Farida's stunning vocals in flesh during the Øya Festival back in August last year, and new single "Next To Nothing" is a showcase for her soulful delivery.

While some of the tracks on The 25th Hour had elements of hip hop in the beats and voice, here Farida focuses on the smoother side of her style. Mellifluous piano chords meet sensuous '90s R&B beats, samples echo, hiding away behind a funk guitar line - but it's really all about Farida's voice and her use of space which recalls the likes of Jhene Aiko and Tinashe.

We caught up with Farida recently to find out a little bit more about the singer.

So who is Farida?

"Dangerous, you give an artist a question they love they're gonna talk for hours or write an essay, so I am sorry in advance - BUT I am a seeker of hidden truth, you know, I love listening to that little girl inside my head who says 'yes do it', or 'no don't'. I might seem very confident but I'm more of a person who just loves living by my own set of rules. I don't like to feel I'm a robot in this society where it sure can look like we are sometimes, and I don't appreaciate indoctrinated truths of how things should be or look, cause it's nothing but other peoples' opinions. Every single one of us is a unique and original, that's pretty cool to me. Also, I sing and write music haha."

What influences you?

"I believe I'm influenced by anything and anyone. It's something really magical about being able to create something from yourself that still has a lot of other tags on it cause you were inspired by so much. My favourite book called Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh has inspired me to use more mindfullnes in my vocal recording. It's quite funny actually, the book is about practising mindfullness in every situation, and so in the stressfull music business nothing is better than to shut the world out, especially in the both, where thoughts about tours, shows and promo etc can start stressing you out, especially me cause I'm a control freak and a perfectionist. Stupid combination, haha. The results though, is a more calm and precise way to sing or rhyme the lyrics. When it comes certain people I've listened to who's influenced me the list is too long to write down but I do have a good mix of Aaliyah, Alicia Keys, Katie Melua Coldplay to even The Ramones (I have every CD, think it's 13?), love how they never really pronounced any word, I like that."

Can you tell us a little about this new single?

"The new single is basically me wanting to expand my own way of writing and connecting to my writing, and the way I use my vocals. There is a distinct guitar riff throughout the song which by the way was made by my London lad Ross O'Donoghue (O'D), the mulit-instrumentalist, and it symoblizes me as an eclectic artist, which is really important to me. I think the more open minded you are, the more creative and possible paths you'll find."

What's next for Farida?

"A 'Next To Nothing' video is coming soon, excited about that! SXSW in March, new songs the coming months, other festival announcements and gigs. I'm hoping to spread even more musical love this year. I'm so inpired these days, I like working with everyone, from the beatmaker in the street to the 100k studio dude in London. Limitless is the word."

"Next to Nothing" is out now.