The Helsinki-based singer-songwriter Carla Aakre effortlessly blends alt-folk and indie-pop with indie-rock influences in debut single ‘watercolour’. Crafting a sound that feels both personal and universal, this track offers a delicate yet powerful glimpse into the emotional landscape of friendship and connection. Set against gentle, steady drums and intricate strings, the artist’s voice shines with a balance of fragility and quiet strength, inviting comparisons to songwriters like Billie Marten, Fenne Lily, and Waxahatchee.
The track’s theme—how friendship can highlight beauty even in life’s difficult moments—is communicated with sincerity and intimacy. As the songwriter vulnerably shares, “‘watercolour’ is an ode to friendship. Sometimes you need someone to remind you of the beauty around you. With the help of friendship, even in difficult moments, you can find something you want to cherish.”
Aakre’s confessional storytelling draws listeners into her world, where moments of longing and reflection come into view like the soft lines and muted tones of a warm, nostalgic watercolor painting. As a precursor to her forthcoming album Things I Forgot to Tell You, the song’s warmth is amplified by lush string and horn arrangements, contributed by Carla Aakre’s sister, Milla Käyhty. The analog production, captured on an 8-track with producer Roni Ylhäinen, lends a rich, organic quality to the song, heightening its emotional depth.
You can listen to ‘watercolour’ in our Folk This Way and Outsiders Club playlists.
Follow Carla Aakre:
UNRECORDED 