Smerz - Believer [LP]

Smerz are the Nowegian duo of Henriette Motzfeldt and Catharina Stoltenberg. Known for the 'carefully shaped, deconstructed pop' (Boomkat) of their debut EP's Okey (2017) and Have Fun (2018), Smerz seamlessly weave together techniques and sounds pulled from chamber and classical music, hip hop, R&B, and hard electronics, with the end product always resulting in something altogether uncanny. The duo, who produce, write, direct and conceptualize all their own work, carve out a space where it's not so impossible for dreams, both big and small, to grow in the midst of the systemic societal weeds that tangle up people's self-worth and confidence. With Believer, their 2021 debut full-length album on XL Recordings, they formalize the boundless sonic world that started to emerge within each of their debut EP's and in their running NTS monthly residency. Are you a Believer?