Emerging from Copenhagen’s vibrant alt-pop scene, Danish sister duo Simako release their debut EP ‘Closer / Further’ today on June 20th. With their debut EP, the duo channels a sound shaped by layered vocal harmonies, experimental pop, and organic R&B—music that explores the spaces between people: how we come together, and how we drift apart.
Following the single ‘Who You Are’, the EP continues their exploration of relationships and boundaries in a soundscape influenced by both choral traditions and soul. Simako draws inspiration from Hungarian folk choirs, Swedish choral music, Italian opera, and American soul icons like Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, weaving a rich, cross-cultural sonic fabric.
Choir as meeting point
The music is driven by grand, colorful, and experimental productions with layered choir voices at the center. Sisters Sigrid and Katinka, the duo behind Simako, draw on a childhood shaped by everything from Hungarian folk choirs and Swedish choral music to Italian opera and American soul legends like Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. This creates a sound that feels both deeply rooted and boundary-pushing. That blend is evident in the music itself, which mixes organic R&B and soul with experimental production.
The EP consists of five songs, each tracing emotional and musical threads that stretch across cultures and generations.
Laidback R&B
‘Won’t Pretend’ is a laid-back R&B track reflecting on a friendship that quietly faded—not with conflict, but with silence. It’s about admitting something’s changed, even when you’re pretending it hasn’t. “It seems that not trying too hard is sometimes seen as cool”, says Sigrid. The sound matches the sentiment: smooth, mellow, and emotionally restrained.
Reminder to reach out
‘Dancing on the Moon’ was written in memory of a close friend who struggled with mental health and tragically passed away. It’s a gentle reminder to speak up when you’re hurting. The track begins grounded—with soft piano and guitar—and gradually opens into an airy, spacious soundscape. The shimmering guitars in the outro feel like shooting stars in a wide-open sky.
Political division
The first single from the EP ‘Who You Are’, was written in the early days of the war in Ukraine. The song weaves together experimental textures, organic grooves, and indie sensibility, with subtle echoes of artists like Radiohead and Björk. Lyrically, it reflects on how political and personal convictions can quietly unravel even the closest relationships, placing the track within a growing wave of modern, cross-border protest music.
80’s funk and disco grooves
‘Stay All Evening’ brings energy and brightness to the EP. Born out of a spontaneous jam session and built around a funky guitar loop inspired by Nile Rodgers, the song is driven by disco-infused drums and a carefree spirit. “We wrote it during a rehearsal where Sigrid had fallen asleep on the couch in a session—we just needed something to hype each other up”, says Katinka.
‘Closer / Further’ will be available on all streaming platforms on June 20.
