Swedish musician Thea Gustafsson – who writes, records and produces under the pseudonym Becky and the Birds – has recently turned over a new leaf by entering an era of creative freedom and emotional release with the announcement of her forthcoming self-produced debut album, ‘Only Music Makes Me Cry Now’, due out on 15 November.

Gustafsson began laying the groundwork for his album in 2021. At the time, her creative process was largely influenced by a wide range of sources, including: insights from past collaborations with Dijon, Seinabo Sey and Lapsley; obscure musical insights on Bandcamp; attendance at gigs in clubs and dive bars in London and Stockholm, her two homes at the time; a variety of media fixations; and the overwhelming maelstrom of emotions she had stumbled upon in the aftermath of a life-changing break-up.

Gustafsson creates sound worlds with the intention of remaining curious, eager and above all courageous. With Only Music Makes Me Cry Now, the artist presents herself in an evolved and contemplative form, through an ethereal, intense and hypnotic collection of the best Becky and the Birds material created to date. This Is Pop? today’s song of the day is here for you.