We Speak Music
Christian Balvig & Ensemble Hermes return with dreamy neo-classical single ‘What Happened To The World’
Acclaimed composer and arranger Christian Balvig is known for his work with an array of artists and bands like Jade, Efterklang, Lowly, When Saints Go Machine and Mew, as well as his work with some of the most acclaimed orchestras like Royal Northern Sinfonia (BBC Proms), The Royal Danish Orchestra, Copenhagen Phil, London Contemporary Orchestra, The Danish Radio Broadcast Orchestra and The Norwegian Wind Ensemble.
The cinematic sound on the single and the forthcoming album, might echo Balvig’s work in the world of film and TV music. Scoring the 2025 Oscar shortlisted short movie ‘Eternal Father’ and the Danish hit series ‘Cry Wolf’ (Ulven Kommer), which has been shown on television in more than 30 countries around the globe, including Channel 4 in the UK. He was also nominated for a Harpa award for ‘Best score’ last year at the Berlinale for ‘The Son and the Moon (Min Arv Bor I Dig)’.
Balvig’s new album, ‘Find And You Will Seek’, backed by Danish string group Ensemble Hermes is set for release on 22nd May 2026 and grew organically out of this background of experiences. It is music that appeals to listeners seeking original, immersive music with space for reflection and contemplation. The second single to come from the album is called ‘What Happened To The World’. It is written from the feeling that the world sometimes goes backwards and you feel left on the platform wanting to take the train in a different direction.
“I’m trying to give the music a whispering voice here – trying to inspire thoughtful and fragile voices”, explains Balvig. “The world today feels like it’s all about being loud, getting heard in all the noise, and I feel it becomes increasingly difficult to find space for whisper”, he further adds.
‘What Happened To The World’ is ultra transparent neo-classical inspired music, with slow melodic structures, a simple chord progression and an emotional performance which starts with a floating viola solo and builds into a lush sound world, where tangible organic textures combine with otherworldly dreamy atmospheres in a rare contemplative poignancy.
Find Christian Balvig and Ensemble Hermes on tour in Denmark:
27.5 Ansgars Kirke (Odense)
28.5 Folkegaarden Festival (Aalborg)
29.5 Gnisten (Ry)
30.5 Musikhuset (Aarhus)
1.6 Basement (Copenhagen)
We Speak Music
VAAST drops “Remember These Days” and it seriously feels like the future of French pop
France has given the world some of its biggest electronic icons. From Daft Punk to DJ Snake and David Guetta, French artists have shaped global music culture for decades. But lately, finding a track that mixes real emotion, cinematic vibes and dance energy all at once? Pretty rare.
That’s exactly where Vaast steps in.
His new single “Remember These Days” is an addictive mix of modern French electronic production and timeless pop songwriting. Think emotional melodies, huge atmosphere, deep basslines and the kind of track you want both in your headphones at 2AM and blasting during a late-night drive.
The production blends layered synths, marimba-inspired textures, synthetic African vocal elements and immersive cinematic energy. And yes, there’s even inspiration pulled from Avatar, the legendary movie universe that defined a whole cultural era. That influence gives the track its futuristic-but-nostalgic feeling, like a memory from the future.
