Roleplay: Tracks That Shaped My Sound
Meet Swedish-born but UK-bred, the artist and producer extraordinaire – Roleplay, alias Anna Haara Kristoferson. Stepping into the spotlight with her inaugural solo endeavor, Roleplay transcends her roots as the lead vocalist in Yassassin, bringing a mesmerizing fusion of electronica-infused dream-pop to the forefront.
With a childhood steeped in the ethereal realms of choir academies, Roleplay now orchestrates a symphony of sound, marrying lushly layered harmonies, hypnotic sequencers, cinematic string arrangements, and infectious beats. The result? A shimmering soundscape reminiscent of late 90s pop, where every note is a brushstroke on a canvas of sonic dreams.
Already turning heads in the industry, Roleplay has found champions in Jack Saunders of BBC Radio 1 and Lauren Laverne of Radio 6 Music. It's not just music; it's a journey through a fantastical realm of sound, and the guide is none other than the enigmatic Roleplay. Posted by Roleplay – because the adventure is just beginning.
The queen of pop together with one of my favourite producers William Orbit. You just can’t go wrong. Such an epic song. It was my sonic mood booster pill in lockdown. On repeat. It embodies the perfect blend of pop, experimental and electronic, with Madonna’s cosmic vocals soaring on top. I’ve always had a weak spot for late 90s productions, and this gem has really stood the test of time.
Another timeless William Orbit classic from the same era as ‘Ray of Light'. Who doesn’t love this song? The dreamy vocals and harmonies paired with the intergalactic synth soundscapes are mesmerising. And the chorus… solid pop gold. It has a real feel-good vibe to it. Putting this on makes me feel excited and hopeful about life. It’s the kind of song that makes me want to travel the world, just like in 'The Beach,’ minus all the drama. I think the songs of my EP are pretty reminiscent of the music from this era, as it’s the music I grew up with and it still holds a very special place in my heart.
Such a sexy song. I love how cheeky, unapologetic and quirky this is. Prince knew that he was a pop genius and you can really hear that in how confident his writing is. I don’t think he ever gave a damn about what anyone else thought, he just followed his own vision. That’s why his music is so magic. I’m a believer in tuning out the outside noise and tuning into ourselves, so that we can better hear and harness our own voices. And make something that’s uniquely us. Leaving London for a quieter seaside life has definitely made my songwriting better.
Something a bit more modern. I listened to this a lot in lockdown too. It was all four-to-the-floor disco vibes for a while. It definitely helped me re-energise myself in isolation and inspired me to write many upbeat songs myself. Love the retro feel of this and the bass line is perfection. A modern classic, with both the production and melody full of swagger. I’m not into a lot of modern pop, but I think this whole album hit the spot for me. It feels like a great compromise between retro and modern.
Herbie Hancock is my house God. I grew up with jazz and funk being played at home and listening to it now relaxes me. I love how playful, funky and unpredictable ‘Chameleon’ and the other tracks on Herbie’s album ‘Headhunters’ is. Easily one of my top albums of all time. I love incorporating a bit of that jazz unpredictability in my own pop productions. Whilst I think a certain amount of predictability and repetition is necessary with pop, it’s when you sprinkle in some unexpected elements that things tend to get really interesting. It’s funny with music, because I take it more seriously than anything in the world, but at the same time it’s the medium that lets me take myself less seriously and be more playful than anything. I feel like Herbie is the master of combining musical perfection with playfulness. I saw him live earlier this year and it blew my mind right open. He exudes pure joy on stage and his charisma is as undeniable as his music. A true legend.
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