B-Side Guys

Eight years after their debut, Swedish sibling duo sixten returns with “Misemotional,” a six-track EP that serves as both a time capsule of their personal journey and a universal exploration of human emotion. Released on August 23, 2024, this collection showcases Tova and Sigge Strandell’s growth as artists and their ability to craft songs that resonate on a deeply personal level.

The EP opens with its title track, “Misemotional,” setting the tone for the emotional rollercoaster that follows. The song’s production, blending 90s country pop with modern indie sensibilities, creates a sonic landscape that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Tova and Sigge’s harmonies intertwine with a practiced ease that speaks to their years of collaboration, their voices conveying the conflicting emotions at the heart of the EP’s theme.

“Losing Game” follows, its upbeat tempo belying the melancholic undertones of its lyrics. The track showcases sixten’s ability to craft radio-friendly hooks without sacrificing emotional depth. It’s a song that invites listeners to dance even as they reflect on their own experiences of loss and disappointment.

The EP’s centerpiece, “Atlantic,” stands as its strongest offering. The track’s gentle instrumentation provides a dreamy backdrop for Tova and Sigge’s vocals, allowing the poignant lyrics to take center stage. Lines like “Under the illusion / Of what I thought we had / Was just like the sensation / Of getting up too fast” capture the disorienting aftermath of realizing a relationship wasn’t what it seemed. The recurring imagery of green leaves contrasted with the vast Atlantic ocean creates a vivid metaphor for persistent feelings and emotional distance.

“Ocean in Me” shifts gears, embracing a more traditional country ballad structure. The song’s arrangement, reminiscent of 90s country hits, showcases sixten’s versatility as artists. Lyrically, it continues the EP’s exploration of complex emotions, using water imagery to convey the depth and turbulence of human feelings.

“Thrown Down” injects a dose of energy into the EP’s second half. Its driving rhythm and catchy chorus demonstrate sixten’s pop sensibilities, while the lyrics maintain the introspective tone established in earlier tracks. The song feels like a cathartic release, a moment of letting go amidst the EP’s emotional turmoil.

The EP closes with “Living Comes With Dying,” a melancholic track that draws inspiration from disparate sources like The Police and Lana Del Rey. It’s a fitting conclusion to the collection, its lyrics grappling with the inevitability of loss and the beauty found in embracing life’s full spectrum of experiences.

Throughout “Misemotional,” sixten demonstrates significant growth as songwriters and performers. The involvement of renowned Swedish songwriters and producers like Johan Lindbrandth and Andreas Mattsson adds polish to the duo’s innate talent, resulting in a collection that feels both personal and professionally crafted.

The EP’s production deserves special mention, striking a balance between organic instrumentation and modern pop sheen. Each track feels carefully constructed to support the emotional weight of the lyrics without overwhelming them. The result is a sound that’s radio-ready yet maintains an intimate feel.

At just six tracks, “Misemotional” leaves listeners wanting more, which speaks to its quality. Each song feels essential, contributing to the EP’s overarching themes of joy, sorrow, hope, and confusion. The sequencing creates a natural flow, taking listeners on an emotional journey that mirrors the ups and downs of life itself.

“Misemotional” serves as a powerful statement from sixten, cementing their place in the Swedish music scene and beyond. It’s an EP that rewards repeated listens, each spin revealing new lyrical nuances and production details. For fans of emotionally resonant pop with a country twist, “Misemotional” is a must-listen, heralding sixten’s triumphant return and promising future.

As the final notes of “Living Comes With Dying” fade away, listeners are left with a sense of having experienced something genuinely authentic. In “Misemotional,” sixten has created a work that not only showcases their artistic growth but also offers a comforting hand to anyone navigating the complexities of human emotion. It’s a reminder that in our most confused and conflicted moments, we’re never truly alone.