Swedish pop writer, performer, and DJ Sebastian Rydgren, has just returned with his latest single, ‘night hours’. Blending glowing vocals, and a healthy dose of ’90s nostalgia, the track draws inspiration from artists such as Robyn, Charli XCX, and Tove Lo. On the record, Sebastian explores the aftermath of love and deception, capturing the messy realities of modern relationships through a euphoric, club-ready pop anthem.
The release follows his acclaimed single ‘Talk To Me’, which arrived earlier this year, and marks a more introspective and emotionally charged chapter in his songwriting. As the fifth single from his forthcoming EP, following ‘Imaginary Lover’, ‘In My Dreams’, ‘how i wanna die’, and ‘Talk To Me’, ‘night hours’ offers another glimpse into a project that’s shaping up to be a bold and compelling statement of pop artistry.
We sat down to interview Sebastian about his new single and long-term plans.
In the song ‘night hours,’ there’s a huge sense of 90s and early noughties pop nostalgia. Who would you say, in terms of artists and records and eras, inspired the sound of the track?
When we wrote the song, we all brought different references to the table. Personally, I draw a lot of inspiration from artists like Troye Sivan and Rebecca Black. Together with the other songwriters and producers, Maja Marklund and Arvid Häggström, we created a sound that reflects our shared musical taste rather than trying to emulate any specific era.
As well as an artist, you’re also a DJ. Do you feel that, when writing music like this, it gives you an advantage being behind the decks? How would you say that advantage plays out, if there is one?
I’ve always been drawn to energetic music and have found a lot of inspiration in music that brings people together. That’s one of the reasons I’ve been attracted to the club scene. However, I’d say that DJing has mainly helped my artistic development because it encourages me to constantly discover new music and observe what people connect with—and what they don’t. I can then bring those insights into the studio and use them as inspiration when creating my own music.
The song explores deception and struggles in relationships. Is that an accurate appraisal of what the song is about for you, and was there a particular moment that inspired this song lyrically?
Yes, absolutely. With ‘night hours’, I describe relationships that didn’t turn out the way I had hoped. The song describes the situation when I thought I had the perfect relationship and suddenly everything turned into a personal disappointment and the time it has taken to accept that there will never be “us.”
Even though that realization has been difficult at times, I’ve never lost my belief in love.
You’ve come a long way since Swedish Idol to now releasing your own music and carving your own path. What’s the biggest learning curve from that experience, and has it changed who you are as an artist today?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned since Swedish Idol is that the music industry isn’t quite what I initially imagined. While I always knew it would require hard work, I didn’t fully understand how extensive the role of an artist has become today. You’re expected to be a songwriter, singer, content creator, administrator, marketer, and much more. As a result, the time you actually get to spend simply being an “artist” is quite limited.
Tell us about the EP on which ‘night hours’ will be released. Have all the previous singles and this one led into a solid message that you want the EP to encapsulate?
I feel that the EP tells the story I’ve wanted to share. It’s called Midnight Confessions, and that theme runs throughout every track. The songs reflect, in different ways, the thoughts and emotions that tend to surface when I come home late at night or lie awake thinking.
Through these songs, I want to allow myself to face those thoughts and feelings in daylight as well.
I think it’s fitting that ‘night hours’ is the final release before the EP comes out. It perfectly captures the EP’s message: believing in the vision of the perfect relationship while also realizing that, in the end, it may remain just that—a vision.
Finally, what’s your biggest goal for the next year? Where do you want to be? Who do you want to collaborate with? What are the stages you want to take your music to?
Over the next year, I want to continue writing and releasing new music. I also want to perform on more stages and connect with audiences in person.
In addition to growing my audience in Sweden, I’d love to reach listeners in countries such as the UK and Germany.
I’m also hoping to collaborate with artists and songwriters from those countries and continue expanding my creative network internationally.