On Sept. 26, Swedish electronic indie-pop musician NOREA made their solo debut with “Submarines,” a spacious, uplifting track that establishes a decisive way forward for the project.

First written on acoustic guitar and recorded entirely in a Malmö bedroom, the single is authentically DIY and went through multiple iterations over several years to become what it is today.

“Submarines was written quickly, but then hidden deep in a drawer,” said NOREA. “It felt like a sentimental guitar ballad from someone who had just discovered chords. Years later I brought it back, tried a range of different arrangements, and eventually landed in a more upbeat version that finally felt right.”

A drummer by trade, NOREA continues to prove that the person sitting behind the kit is among the most valuable, displaying a spectrum of musicality in their first single, from instrumentation to lyricism.

“I don’t like myself when I’m around you, but I want to be around you all the time,” sings NOREA in the chorus, putting a common lover’s conundrum into plain words.

“Submarines” demonstrates this wide accessibility while staying squarely in its own lane, laying a stylistically concise framework for future productions from the newly solo artist.