Felix Sandman Reintroduces Himself With “Yue,” a Deeply Personal and Transformative Album
With 11 songs that take listeners on a journey of introspection and profound personal growth, Swedish singer, songwriter, and actor Felix Sandman redefines his musical career with the release of Yue. This highly personal album not only showcases his vocal and songwriting skills but also sees him stepping into roles as a producer and visual contributor, alongside collaborator David Husberg.
The album opens with This Time, a synth-heavy track layered with textured vocal harmonies. It delves into the emotional struggles of the artist, capturing his search for solace and support.
Themes of internal conflict and vulnerability continue in tracks like Luna’s Interlude and Terminal, which explore loneliness, emptiness, substance use, and the often-unanswered cries for help. The metaphor of the moon, representing balance, sacrifice, and the duality of light and darkness, ties the album together. The title itself, Yue, means “moon” in Chinese, reflecting these recurring themes.
Felix also navigates complex tales of love, as heard in Babymoma and Nakisawame, which explore the tension between love, frustration, and the yearning for mutual understanding. In tracks like nylon, Felix turns the lens inward, using chaotic imagery and themes of confusion and self-destruction to critique his past. “The theme of the album is about emerging from the darkness and trying to figure out who you are and what you will become. On ‘Nylon,’ I’ve made it halfway through the journey and reflect on who I’ve become—and if that is someone that I even like. Also, I play around with vocal pitches, and it’s almost like different characters. That was fun to experiment with,” Felix explains.
Yue gains even deeper meaning when understood as part of Felix’s healing process. Now 26, he reflects on the pressures of fame he faced as a teenager in the boy band FO&O, where, starting at just 14, he spent four years touring nonstop under relentless public scrutiny.
“I don’t view it as a comeback. It feels like presenting a whole new artist. I have a new team around me, and I have become the boss of my life. Now there’s no compromising anymore,” Felix shares.
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Photography by Tove Wall Dyrting