Love and Its Many Forms in Nea’s New Album ‘Transparent'

The name of an album was never as faithful as the material it contains, as in the case of 'Transparent' by Linnea Södahl -better known as Nea.

First, say that she is a Sweden musician who began her artistic path by writing songs for other artists. Songs for which she had to question how the other person felt, to be able to share their experiences. So, one way or another, her songs have had more than 2 billion views.

With this precedent and many more stories to tell, Nea did what many of us should: Take a risk. In 2019 she debuted her debut solo single “Some Say” an anthem of unrequited love that later appeared on a 2020 EP of the same name. The song and its remix by Felix Jaehn was the ninth most played song on European radio in 2019, topping the charts in over 20 countries and garnering almost 1 billion streams across all DSPs.

The result of all that work and talent is an EP fresh out of the oven with 9 tracks that relate very personal experiences that revolve around love in its different presentations, whether romance, friendship, or self-empowerment.

“There are many songs on this album that are too personal to ever give away to another artist,” Nea says. And of course, it is like that. There are songs like “Take it as a Man,” which narrates a very painful experience of abuse that the artist must have gone through and that leads her to question whether it really existed, given that no one seems to notice it, but with which many women -unfortunately- could feel identified.

“I wanted to write this song and lyrics in a way that it feels happy and carefree if you just hear the production and melodies, but if you listen closely to the words there’s another layer to it,” Nea explains. “Take it as a Man” underlines the urgency beneath Nea sharing her own stories.

'Chosen Family', for example, conveys an enormous feeling of gratitude and appreciation for the chosen family. "Know that I always come running back to you" expresses a sense of loyalty and commitment to this family, reinforcing the idea that the bond is enduring and unbreakable.

'Imagine' is a hymn to love and not just any love, but the one that is made to measure. It’s realizing that for a long time, we have given ourselves to the wrong people and imagining the quality of love we will give to the right person.

The downcast “Losing a Friend” explores the grief that accompanies the dissolution of a friendship. “I've written hundreds, maybe thousands, of songs about romantic love, but when I had a falling out with one of my best friends, I realized there are so many angles of love that are not spoken about as much,” she says. “The heartbreak of a friendship ending is just as real.”

The temperature rises with 'Lover Like Me' in which Nea questions the quality of the lovers that are found out there. Why can't they be like her? “Imagine how happy we could be/If it was only me and me.”

So 'Transparent' is an album of great musical, narrative, and vocal quality in which love and its different nuances take center stage. It’s an EP to sit down and listen to with good company and discover yourself through its songs.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH NEA ON INSTAGRAM

MEET THE AUTHOR

Mariana González – Venezuelan journalist

I am interested in novelty, talent, and creativity. I put my lyrics at the service of those who genuinely strive to build an alternate narrative about the common and humdrum. Rival Magazine has been the open window to put a face on emerging talent.