Anna of the North hasn’t released an album since before the COVID-19 pandemic. It seems like yesterday and also a million years ago that we were vibing to Dream Girl, her sophomore album that came out in 2019.
Today, the Norwegian singer is an ever-evolving artist who is bringing us Crazy Life, an amalgamation of music inspired by the life and world changes since her last album. We couldn’t love its dreamy emotion and hauntingly gorgeous sounds any more than we already do, which is a lie because we will love it more tomorrow and each time we listen. It’s truly that kind of album! Each listen brings you a new nugget of truth, a new perspective on a song, and a new favorite.
We were lucky to listen to the album before its November 4 release date so we could ask Anna all about the making, the inspo, and so much more.
Congratulations on the release of your third album! We were so happy to listen and we were blown away by the whole project. When you think of the album, what color palette or visuals come to mind for you?
Thank you 🙂 (Makes me so happy that you like it.) I feel like this album contains all the colors. It includes all the blue colors from light to dark and from cold to warm. This album is inspired by life. By all the ups and downs. The positives and the negatives. How bipolar it can be, being a human.
How and why do the bird sounds connect with the theme of ‘Bird Sing?’ What went into recording that song?
I wanted to paint a picture of the first thing you hear on a lovely Saturday morning. You’re off of work, the sun is shining, and everything is just set to be the best day. Then you remember you used to have someone by your side that’s not there anymore.
How would you describe the progression from your last album to this one, both personally and musically, given that your last full-length album came out pre-pandemic?
My vision for this album was to blend my previous two albums. Taking my best qualities from both of them and making an Anna 3.0. I have, of course, changed a lot. We all evolve and change daily, so this album is inspired by my life and the things around me throughout the last few years. It’s a cliché but I don’t think I’m the only one who got a new perspective after COVID.
What are you most excited to perform live from the album?
I’m really excited about playing ‘No Good Without U.’ I finally got myself a really good female bass player, so it’s gonna be so much fun going back on the road.
What song was most difficult to write? And on the other hand, what was the easiest or fastest song to write?
The one that kinda wrote itself was ‘I Do You.’ But at the same time, it was way harder to produce. So in the end that was the song we spent the most time on. The hardest one to write…? I was spending a lot of time getting ‘Living Life Right’ right. It’s always like you have a really good 1st verse and then there is always a struggle writing the other one.
The ‘Nobody’ music video is so cinematic! What went into creating the aesthetic and story?
It’s all a part of a bigger concept. Visually, it takes place in a house where this character lives in a time loop. She’s stuck in the same day, doing the same things, and being watched by something bigger than her. It’s really inspired by The Truman Show. It’s like a dark comedy. Inspired by everything we go through in life.
How did you decide on the order of the track list?
I wanted to tell a story, so they are all put there for a reason. ‘Bird Sing’ is the morning song, it leads to the day where we dance and we laugh and we occupy ourselves. Then the night comes. We are alone, to think, and to reflect on our day. Then, the album ends with ‘Let Go.’ Let your head rest, let go of the things you can’t control. And try again.
What is your favorite lyric from the album?
My favorite lyric from the album… There are a few lyrics that I really like. But I love “I keep untangling tangles,” I feel like that’s what we do here in life.
One of our favorite moments was in ‘Living Life Right’ when you sang, “I’m fine but at the same time, it feels like I’m not living life right.” Where did that song come from? What does living life “right” mean to you and have you found your own happy ending yet?
‘Living Life Right’ is one of my favorite songs… I think that’s the big question though. How do we know? I do feel that I’m on the right paths sometimes and other times I feel really lost… All of these questions all the time. All the influences everyday, makes me sometimes feel like I should have done something different. I mean I’m fine, but at the same time, there is a lot of unanswered questions.
Lastly, what is one thing that we haven’t covered here–or, alternately, a message you’d like to convey–that you would like fans to know about the album?
Come check me out on tour 😊 I finally feel at home on stage and am excited to connect with everyone.
Catch Anna of the North on tour in 2023, starting with London on February 17 and wrapping up with Seattle on April 2. You can find ticket info here.
Stream Crazy Life here!
What’s in your top five after listening? Let us know on Twitter @thehoneypop or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
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