Last week, Danish singer-songwriter NikoCorlin unveiled her latest EP, If You Can Dream It—a striking blend of experimental synth-pop production and lyrics that navigate the optimism-tinged frustrations of self-discovery and the systemic challenges facing women in the music industry.
"The title is a reference to the idea that as long as you can dream and believe in it, it will succeed. Dreams can also be the ones that hurt us the most if they don’t come true, but they remain our driving force. They are the one thing no one can take away from us," Corlin reflects.
If You Can Dream It elevates Corlin's artistry, transforming five weeks of self-imposed isolation in Brooklyn, New York, into a raw and unfiltered testament to her drive for success. "Last winter, I went to New York after releasing my debut album. I locked myself in a small room for five weeks to write," Corlin recalls. "The isolation was essential to drown out the noise and focus entirely on my music. I wanted to confront my self-doubt head-on and create without any outside influence."
The standout track on the EP, “Late To The Party,” is Corlin at her most compelling. With its delicate, almost lullaby-like quality, her delivery and production create an ethereal soundscape that finds profound emotional depth in its simplicity—particularly during the bridge—yielding some of the EP's most memorable moments. Equally notable is "You Don’t Have Everything," a well-crafted track featuring nostalgic, 90s-inspired guitar work and lush layered harmonies, showcasing Corlin's strength in experimenting with different textures.
Corlin is at her best when embracing her upbeat sensibilities and leaning into the synth-pop sound that sets her apart.
While her forays into piano ballads tend to get lost in a haze of reverb and forgettable non-melodies, her true strength lies in her ability to craft eclectic, tempo-driven tracks that distinguish her from the current wave of alt-pop artists. If she continues to focus on what makes her unique, Corlin could avoid the risk of her music fading into mere background noise.
As it stands, Corlin is reintroducing a style of synth-pop that feels both fresh and familiar—something akin to what bands like Wet attempted in 2016 but could never fully push into the mainstream. And if any artist has the potential to make it resonate today, it’s NikoCorlin.
