Following up on soulful single ‘Focus’ released back in January, Elias is thoroughly stepping up a gear with newest track ‘Tearing Down The Walls’ (co-written and co-produced by Paul Epworth and HYENA).

This track embodies the spirit of the worker’s that protest songs he grew up hearing hand-in-hand with his mother, while taking on the vibrant energy of dance music that has immersed today’s generation. In many ways, this is a song about breaking down boundaries – between generations, between cultures, between styles of music, and ultimately it’s about escaping into freedom. Whether through a human rights rally or hedonistic night in the club, freedom is a subjective experience that takes on different forms for everyone.

For the young Swedish musician, he finds liberation in his music, and specifically while singing:

“I have long thought about why I do as I do, what has led me here. Why do I feel such a need to express myself. A need of kicks and being fulfilled by something.

I sing everything I am and have ever been.
But I also sing what my dad felt.
And by doing so we get to be close.

My writing is a reflection of what I do, what I feel. It’s dirty and ugly, tender and beautiful.
I get understood when I sing, suddenly people understand what I’m saying, and I understand them.”

This sentiment is the building block for Elias’ upcoming debut album, Entwined, out on June 15th. It’s a record which represents thousands of studios hours over three years, chronicling Elias’ journey from debut single ‘Revolution’ to final puzzle piece ‘The Entwined’. Not only is the album a powerful collage of musical styles, whether Elias’ signature soul, high-octane dance, sweeping pop and those quieter moments in between, but it also touches on so many areas of human existence. From love to conflict; reaching into our inner lives and out to the wider world of politics, human rights, the environment. There goes no stone left unturned by this artist whose tirelessly work in the studio has produced a truly astonishing debut.

Sharing his thoughts on the album, Elias says:

“I really wanted the album to be as pure and honest as possible,and that’s a pretty hard thing to do. There may be simple melodies, but to find those melodies you have to go full circle: discover the more atmospheric side at first, and then you come to the essence of the song. I also wanted to get away from where I was born and try to find my place in the world.”