Linnea Henriksson has been seen in everything from So Much Better to Music Aid and Melodifestivalen in recent years. However, she has not released any new music of her own since 2011. But during the quarantine in the summer cottage, creativity came to life.

- You wish everything could be good instead. But this song would not have come if it had not been for what we are in now, she says.

In the chorus, Henriksson sings "we toast to those we lost".

- I've always known that when you lost someone: you have to live fully. It's the only thing you can do for those who can't.

Inspired to film yourself

Blenda was recently sewn to Pharrell Williams record label and Def Jam recordings. She would record a music video in the US with a high budget for her song Options. But that put a stop to the corona pandemic.

- Obviously I was stressed. I had just been sown at such a large company. But then I came up with the idea to test myself. Kanye West and Lady Gaga have made music videos themselves so I can also film with my cellphone, says Blenda and laughs.

The result: a music video about spending time digitally, with Blenda herself in all roles.

It is for real

El perro del mar was commissioned by the Moderna museet in Stockholm to write music based on the art collections. Corona put the project in a whole new light.

- Julia Pirotte's photographs from World War II and the French resistance movement struck me as extremely strong after the corona. The fight for the good, the civil cure: for the first time I realized what it means, that it is for real, she says.

Despite the devastating consequences of the pandemic, the situation has given El perro del mar a long-awaited opportunity to reflect. Something that is also heard in the newly composed music.

- To be honest. Not "pleasa". It feels extremely refreshing because I have longed for that.

No ironing with hair

According to El perro del mar, the corona pandemic caused her to stop and hear her own thoughts on what kind of music she wants to make.

- An extremely concrete example: I chose to play guitar again, which I haven't done in many years. Because I've been looking for something less synthetic, more raw. Corona has helped me scale down. No rewrites, no ironing.