We Speak Music

Ross Learmonth’s ‘Opposites’ Is a Catchy Love Letter to the Beautiful Mess of Relationships

Published

1 year ago

April 15, 2025

If you’ve ever fallen for someone totally different from you—and somehow it just works—then Ross Learmonth’s new single “Opposites” will hit you right in the feels. The Johannesburg-born artist, best known as the former frontman of Prime Circle, is in full solo stride, and this latest release is as catchy as it is heartfelt.

“Opposites” has that special kind of spark: it’s playful, emotional, and seriously addictive. Think Hozier meets Imagine Dragons, with a touch of that raw storytelling vibe that makes Jeremy Loops and Matthew Mole so beloved. It’s easy to sing along to, but the lyrics will sneak up on you and make you think.

Inspired by his parents’ love story and his own romantic rollercoasters, Ross dives into the complexities of how different personalities can actually bring out the best (and sometimes worst) in each other. “It’s not always the case, but sometimes, opposites attract—and it’s magical,” he says. Honestly? Relatable.

The way the track came together is also kinda beautiful. Ross describes the song like it was just floating in the air, waiting to be caught. “It was in the room, and it wanted to be written,” he says, crediting his engineer Mark Beiling for helping him lock it down in the moment. Shoutout to the dream team, Rusti Rossouw and Tristan Carmichael (working from the UK!), who helped polish this one into the radio hit it’s becoming.

Speaking of which, “Opposites” has already been charting across some of South Africa’s top stations and made it onto big Apple Music playlists. And if you’ve been lucky enough to catch Ross live lately—maybe at Kirstenbosch or even opening for The Goo Goo Dolls (yes, those Goo Goo Dolls!)—you’ll know just how electric this track feels on stage.

Ross has a string of live dates this April and May, with a stop in Cyprus later this year (big moves!). And there’s more to come: a moodier single is dropping in May, followed by a full album either later this year or early next.

For now, though, “Opposites” is the perfect reminder that love is weird, wild, and worth it—even if it doesn’t make perfect sense on paper.

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We Speak Music

Christian Balvig releases gorgeous new album ‘Find And You Will Seek’ in collaboration with Ensemble Hermes.

Published

29 minutes ago

June 2, 2026

Don Reed

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 his new 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, grew organically out of this background of experiences and is music that appeals to listeners seeking original, immersive music with space for reflection and contemplation.

‘Find And You Will Seek’ is a collection of chamber works that explore the combination of piano and strings in new ways. Recent single ‘The BirdSuite II – Praesentia’ is part of a 3-part Suite running throughout the record, written and performed on a custom made “Keybird” piano, which is an una-corda (one string pr note) piano that gives a more subtle and intimate sound. On top of it is a lush and emotional string ensemble arrangement with Ensemble Hermes in multiple layers fluctuating in and out of the keybird piano.

Balvig’s second single from the record is ‘What Happened To The World’, an ultra transparent neo-classical inspired piece, with slow melodic structures, a simple chord progression and emotional performance starting with a floating viola solo. 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.

From film music inspired pieces to experimental chamber music over piano concerto inspired movements, to more neo-classical productions with almost orchestral sounding dubs of strings, ‘Find And You Will Seek’ flows with emotions and lush sound worlds, always with a tangible organic texture.

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)