For the past several years, ENVYYOU have been building something that reaches far beyond just music. The Malmö-based band first drew attention from listeners with their emotionally charged alternative rock songs, while recent releases reveal a group increasingly eager to expand its creative horizons. Their latest single, "bad dreams," arrives during a period of evolution. The band's sound has grown heavier, and they're finding themselves performing in front of larger audiences than ever before, with a growing creative team behind them.
For ENVYYOU, the music is only one piece of a much larger creative vision. Their photography, visuals, fashion, and storytelling all play a pivotal role in every release, helping to create an atmosphere that extends beyond the songs.
Beneath the thoughtfully selected aesthetic is a band still driven by the same instinct that ignited everything in the first place: turning complicated feelings into memorable songs that refuse to sugarcoat the experience.
In our conversation, ENVYYOU reflects on the creation of "bad dreams," the unforeseen advantages of working within label-imposed deadlines, the evolution of their sound, and why building an immersive experience around their work remains just as important to them as the music.
MSM: "bad dreams" came together more quickly than your previous songs usually did. Why do you think that is? And did that change the way you connected to the track after it was finished?
ENVYYOU: It mostly has to do with deadlines that are a little more firm and out of our control coming from the label, which I have felt this far is a good thing since it’s so easy to get stuck on one thing forever when the deadlines were only set by ourselves.
It hasn't necessarily changed my connection with the song, comparing it to previous releases, but it does feel really good to be able to put something that still feels fresh to our ears as well without it taking years to finish.
It's been mentioned that the band is moving toward a heavier sound. What does that shift look like for you in practice? And is there a track on the new record that best represents where ENVYYOU is headed musically right now?
I always want dynamic range between our songs, but if "chrome butterflies" was on the heavier side, "bad dreams" is probably on the lighter side of what's coming! We are especially excited to take these new tracks on the road and hopefully elevate our live show even further with more energy.
A lot of the band's music explores difficult emotions without feeling filtered. Does writing from that vulnerable place come naturally, or does it take time to feel comfortable sharing those thoughts?
I think it came pretty naturally to me. The lyrics of other artists that have resonated the most with me have always been those who tackled similar themes. So, I guess that lent itself to me wanting to share my experiences and stories as well. Hopefully it'll find people who can relate the same way I did to the music that inspired and helped me get through difficult times.
Before signing with Warner Records, the band has handled everything yourselves for years. What's been the biggest adjustment you've had to make to suddenly having a much larger team around you?
I have always been a huge control freak with pretty much everything regarding the band, from uploading the songs to the distributor, to how the band should be presented visually, etc. However, it has honestly been a relief for the most part, so the biggest adjustment has probably just been learning to leave things be and not overthink every minor detail as much. Just trust the process a little more.
Growing up in Sweden, what bands or records first made you guys want to start making music? How did you guys come together to start making music?
We all have quite different musical backgrounds, but for me personally, I grew up mostly listening to pop and classic rock, which then later turned into a deep love and admiration for bands like 5 Seconds of Summer and Bring Me the Horizon in my early teens.
“bad dreams" feels very immediate emotionally. It's incredibly catchy, but also very raw. Does the band usually understand what a song is about right away, or does its meaning become clearer after you've worked on creating it for a while?
This song was actually going towards a different theme initially when I had only written the first part of the chorus. However, after working on the track for a bit, it didn't feel like the right mood for the instrumental anymore. After time, it merged into more of this "unanswered love" theme, which we all felt [was] more suiting.
ENVYYOU started from pop-punk and metalcore roots, but your newer material pulls from a much wider range of influences. What made the band decide to go in this direction?
We have always just written the type of music we love listening to the most at that moment. Lately, we have been vibing [with] a lot of modern metal and have always wanted to pull more of those influences into our sound. After buying ourselves a super low-tuned guitar and having so much fun playing around with heavy riffs, it just came together very naturally.
Songs like "Stick Around" and "violet" helped introduce a lot of people to the band earlier in your guys' music career. Do they still feel representative of the band you are now, or more like the beginning of everything?
It honestly feels like we're coming back around to more of the sound in "Stick Around” with the new stuff, and that feels super exciting. With our last EP, we were experimenting more in the indie rock sphere. And I love those songs, but for our live shows, we might have to make some "Eras Rour" element to make sense of playing both "violet" and "chrome butterflies" since the sound differs quite a lot between those tracks for example.
You've built a strong following online over the last few years. Has that changed the pressure you put on yourselves when releasing new music?
I don't think so. We have always strived to make the best songs we possibly can. And for us to put out a track, we have to love it ourselves first, and then we can just hope other people will enjoy it as well.
What have been your most memorable fan interactions and most memorable experiences playing live?
There isn't one specific really. It's always so fun seeing people who we know have followed/supported us for a while, but also great to hear from people who have just discovered us.
Our first headline show in our hometown Malmö last year was a highlight for sure!
Oscar, between your photography work and the band's visual identity, and Oliver, with the way you present yourselves aesthetically online and onstage, it feels like image and storytelling are just as important as the music itself. Do you think that visual world comes naturally to the band? Or has it taken a bit of experimentation to figure out what ENVYYOU is supposed to look and feel like?
Not naturally per say, but it has always been a very important part of how we like to consume music and we want to give our fans an immersive experience beyond just the songs. Just like with the music, the visuals are also changing as we go with what we like and what serves the songs we put out. However, right now, we are trying to build more of a storyline to go along with the releases, which will hopefully become more clear as we go.
ENVYYOU feels like more than just a music project at this point. Between the artwork, photography, fashion, videos, and overall atmosphere, the band has built a recognizable identity. How important is the visual side of the band?
Very important. We have always looked up to artists who build worlds to go along with the music and we wish to do so as well.
What is next for the band? And what keeps you inspired to continue creating?
More music, more shows! My ever growing love of music and all the fun experiences that come along with being in a band.
