Sweden’s electro/EBM icon EMMON returns with her long-awaited new album ICON — and alongside it, she unveils the music video for its emotional centerpiece, Shades of Blue.
Where the album ICON stands as a confident, energy-driven evolution of EMMON’s sound, Shades of Blue offers a moment of raw vulnerability and reflection.
“Shades of Blue is a tribute to my teenage self – a time when I had just fallen passionately in love with alternative and electronic music. It was the era when Depeche Mode, The Cure, and The Smiths were constantly playing on my Walkman. As an emotional and searching young person growing up in a small town, I often felt like I didn’t quite fit in,” says EMMON.
“Music became my salvation – a gateway to another world that eventually helped me realize my dreams. In the lyrics of Shades of Blue, I speak to my inner teenager, the one who felt misunderstood. I say: ‘I see you. It will get better.’”
The video, created by EMMON together with photographer Daniel KWON (who also shot the album’s artwork and press photos), visually mirrors that sentiment — a heartfelt homage to Depeche Mode and Anton Corbijn, whose moody, monochrome aesthetic shaped much of EMMON’s early inspiration.
ICON — a declaration of power
Following the award-winning 2022 comeback album RECON, ICON continues EMMON’s transformation into one of Europe’s most commanding voices in modern electronic music. Co-produced with Jimmy Monell (also the producer for, among others, KITE on Ice), the album takes the melodic EBM and darkwave textures that have long defined her sound and channels them into something sharper, harder, and built for the stage.
“Since the latest release in 2022, I’ve basically been on tour. The stage has become my natural habitat. Together with Jimmy, we’ve developed the music to be more energy-driven – something that gives both us and the audience a serious kick live.”
ICON features collaborations with Majestoluxe, Jukka Rintamäki (Silverbullit, The Northern East), Person:A, and Emanuel Åström (Agent Side Grinder). Where RECON was about rebuilding, ICON is pure self-possession — a statement of strength, creativity, and presence.
“I know my abilities, and I know what I want to express – that certainty is power. On stage, all that energy transforms me into something else entirely — a hybrid of Annie Lennox, Trent Reznor, and Elvis Presley.”
This autumn, EMMON will also headline a series of shows in Germany before continuing her club and festival tour across Scandinavia and Europe throughout 2026/2027.
About EMMON:
Sweden's Electro Queen EMMON continues to claim recognition with her electrifying presence on the European music scene. Most recently with a remix collaboration by Terence Fixmer on her anthem Machines and the single Speak to Me.
EMMON, also known as Emma Nylén, has been riding high on the success of her latest album, RECON (2022), and the follow up EP XCEPTION from 2024, both of which received glowing reviews. The album was nominated for best album from esteemed publications such as GAFFA, HYMN, and DN. Notably, the album was awarded Synth Release of the Year at the 2023’s Manifest Gala, the prestigious Release of the Year by the highly appraised Synthsläggan Awards, as well as Electro of the Year by GAFFA Awards.
After her widely celebrated comeback in 2022 EMMON has been gracing stages and festivals across Europe. Highlights include NCN Festival in Leipzig (DE), Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig, Prague Gotik Treffen, Infest in Bradford (UK) , BIMFEST (BE) and Eastside festival in Germany. She's also the radio host and DJ of Skivhyllan i P3/ P3mix on Swedish National Radio.
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Discover more from EMMON
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmonsweden/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmon_music/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3WvUXfAhZSBw2ELfRGhnnP
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/se/artist/emmon/206116227
