Icona Pop

Lore & Background

Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo attended the same music school in Stockholm but met by chance at a party in February 2009, forming the duo. Four weeks later, they had written songs for their first performance. Their music has been described by the Swedish press as music which 'you can both laugh and cry to at the same time'. The English-language press, including NME, The Guardian, Rolling Stone and Pitchfork Media, have praised the duo. Their debut single 'Manners' was described by The Guardian as 'effortlessly cool'.

In 2012, they released the EP 'Iconic' in the US and the album 'Icona Pop' in Sweden. Their breakthrough came with 'I Love It', featuring vocals from Charli XCX, which charted on Sverigetopplistan and was used in various media, including the video game Need for Speed: Rivals, a Coca-Cola Light commercial, and the TV series Girls and The Vampire Diaries. They performed at festivals like Summerburst and appeared on shows such as Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Good Morning America.

In 2013, they released 'Girlfriend' and 'All Night', and were nominated for two Teen Choice awards but did not win. They later opened for tours by Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and One Direction. Their third studio album, 'Club Romantech', was released in September 2023 through TEN Music Group and Ultra Music.

Reader's Guide

Icona Pop's significance lies in their ability to merge electro house and indie pop into accessible, emotionally resonant music. Their biggest hit, 'I Love It', became a global phenomenon, featured in numerous TV shows, commercials, and video games, cementing their place in 2010s pop culture. The duo's Swedish roots and international appeal highlight the global reach of Scandinavian pop. Their career, marked by festival performances, award nominations, and collaborations with artists like Charli XCX and Tiesto, showcases their versatility. The release of 'Club Romantech' in 2023, their first studio album in ten years, demonstrates their enduring relevance. Their legacy includes influencing synth-pop and dance music, with a sound that the Swedish press described as evoking both laughter and tears.

Did You Know?

• Icona Pop formed after Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt met by chance at a party in February 2009.
• Their hit 'I Love It' was featured in the video game Need for Speed: Rivals and the TV series Girls.
• They did not perform at the Billboard Music Awards in 2013; claims of a performance in custom lit outfits by Geoffrey Mac are unverified.