On second single "Joy", Margrete confirms her status as one of electronic pop's most exciting voices

Although shifting and twisting like her first track and has Margrete's trademark (if we're allowed to call it that after two songs) sing-song vocals, "Joy" doesn't share its jazz rhythms and instead goes for warmer pop tones.

Uplifting and empowering yet remaining tender and exposed, "Joy" continues to show two sides of Margrete: experimental and willing to explore genres, but at her core a melodic heart beats and swells. Truly one of 2018's most exciting talents.

We spoke to Margrete to find out a little more.

BEST FIT: Hi Margrete, we know a little of you from your debut single "Teen" but what else do we need to know?

Margrete: "I am currently studying improvised music and jazz at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where my parents, both musicians, also studied and met each other. I grew up with a lot of music around me, and startet writing songs when I was eight years old. When I was ten, I started playing with GarageBand, gradually becoming more interested in producing music as well."

What’s the story behind the new single?

"I wrote the song before my first real gig. I had just found a band to play with, only had a few songs that were ready for the concert, and needed one more song on the setlist. I sat on the bus, on my way to the academy, and the very first line of the song just popped into my head. To make sure I didn't forget it, I recorded it on my phone, very quietly so I would not disturb the other passengers. As soon as I got to the academy, I went straight to a practice room and started developing the song. I showed it to my singing teacher, who suggested I should change the key of the synth loop midway through the song to creative a bit more variation. It sounded strange at first, but once I found out how to make the transition work, everything just fell into place. The song is about love and how it change you as a person, and also how important it is to have the courage to let your guard down and be vulnerable in love."

This is your second release, what’s your method of working? It feels like quite an insular or singular sound, do you work alone or with anyone?

"Most of the time, at least until recently, I've worked alone while writing music. For me, music I make feel so deeply personal that I've always found it frightening to show people music I'm working on. I still feel it's incredibly valuable and also important to get other people's opinion on the music I'm working on, even though I'm still terrified every time. When I make music, I try to start writing the songs in different ways; sometimes I start with the melody, other times I start with the lyrics, a chord progression, a groove or some synth sound I find inspiring. Recently I have tried to push myself further out of my comfort zone when it comes to writing music. I try to write music together with other people. I try to write music without my computer, as it can become more rigid and less spontaneous and free when I make music with DAW. I also try to make room for the song to live, develop and change, also after it's 'finished'."

What or who influences you?

"I come from a home with a lot of classical and Norwegian folk music, listened to rock as a teenager, I study jazz and improvised music, I sing in two choirs in my spare time and also listen to a wide range of different music, so I'm lucky to have a lot of different influences. Some of my biggest inspirations are Radiohead, Emilie Nicolas, Tame Impala, Hanne Hukkelberg and Bon Iver, but I'm trying to find my own voice in the middle of all the music that surrounds me."

What’s next in 2018?

"My plans is to make a lot of music, play gigs, hopefully release some music too, and continue to play and learn about as much different music as possible."