Globally renowned Danish group WhoMadeWho has returned with their 8th studio LP, the highly emotive and melodic Kiss & Forget, marking their first album release since 2022’s acclaimed UUUU.
The ever-evolving outfit step into a new era with a vibrant collection of 13 tracks featuring indie electronic, pop, house, disco, synthwave, and more elements. Boasting an impressive list of album collaborators – RY X, Blue Hawaii, Adriatique, Kölsch, and nour – Kiss & Forget offers a concoction of diverse sounds that evoke the collective’s perpetually youthful spirit.
Despite their extensive and storied career, WhoMadeWho – comprised of Tomas Høffding, Tomas Barfod, and Jeppe Kjellberg – has been having one of their best years yet. Since announcing the album in late 2023, the band has teased fans with a series of singles that highlight the diverse sonic palette of Kiss & Forget.
The nostalgic lead single, “Children,” boasting the angelic timbres of the Danish children’s choir Vesterbros Ungdomsgård, became an instant hit, earning Pete Tong‘s highly sought-after “Essential New Tune” title on BBC Radio 1. This was followed by the ethereal “Love Will Save Me” featuring GRAMMY-nominated RY X, the dreamy “Kiss Me Hard” with Canadian indie duo Blue Hawaii, and “Heartless” with fellow venerated Danish electronic producer Kölsch.
Here’s what WhoMadeWho had to say:
“The past few years have been incredibly intense for WhoMadeWho, filled with live world tours, Hybrid DJ shows across the globe, and the establishment of our own festival and record label, The Moment. These amazing adventures are dreams coming true, and we are deeply humbled and grateful for the unwavering love and support we receive steadily worldwide.
It was truly wonderful to return to the studio to contemplate and to create new music, which remains our deepest passion. ‘Kiss and Forget’ is a manifesto of love and unity —a brief auditory glimpse in time, from us to you. Created in Copenhagen with the invaluable support of our friends and family.”
In addition to their continuous output of music, WhoMadeWho embarked on their cutting-edge global live tour, their most ambitious run of shows yet. With innovative stage design crafted in collaboration with the world-renowned architecture group BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), accompanied by stunning visuals brought to life by flora&faunavisons, EyeMix Studio, and Christopher Mulligan, the band breathed new life into their records, both old and new, in an immersive and multidimensional experience.
The show landed in major global hubs, including New York City, Paris, Madrid, Los Angeles, Santiago de Chile, Istanbul, London, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Zurich, and many more, with the first run concluding in a massive homecoming show at the legendary Forum Arena in Copenhagen. The creative feat culminated in the band being awarded “Best Live Performer” at the 2024 Beatport Awards.
Kiss & Forget explores themes of nostalgia, innocence, eternal youth, love, and the ephemeral nature of human connection. From pulsating rhythms of dancefloor anthems like “Children,” “Miracle,” and “Heartless” to an exploration of indie electronica with a wide range of collaborators including RY X in “Love Will Save Me,” Blue Hawaii on “Kiss Me Hard” and “Sweet Cuddles,” and nour on “A3LA,” the record is a culmination of the fleeting snapshots in life that make it worth living.
The LP’s focal track, “You Belong To No One,” is driven by Høffding‘s lush vocals, echoing “You belong to no one…” in a continuous loop. The song builds with a dreamy riff and a deep kick, culminating in a synth symphony that bursts with a carousel of emotion.
Also nestled amidst the album’s 13 tracks are several stunning ambient cuts, “Saturday Pt. 1 & 2,” “Hummer” and the outro, “Qualia,” that double as moments of introspection. With the band’s perpetual optimism at its core, Kiss & Forget, serves as a window into their inimitably creative minds and insatiable desire to shake things up.
Listen to the tracks below.
