11 Nov 2025
Alchemy (Living Is Not For The Heart)
Iris Caltwait
WE SAY
Norwegian alt-pop auteur Iris Caltwait has completely captivated us with her new album 'Again, for the first time', released last Friday. A shape-shifting odyssey through grief, rage and renewal, the record, guided by spacious, expressive production from Askjell (Sigrid, Aurora), is a masterclass in emotionally complex, modern alt-pop. Having followed her early work under the moniker iris, we’ve long admired the Bergen-based artist’s vivid storytelling and atmospheric craft, which has earned support across Nordic tastemakers and playlist editors. Last month, we highlighted the simmering ‘Serpentine’, and today we turn to the album’s breathtaking closer, ‘Alchemy (Living Is Not For The Heart)’. Unfurling with soft vocals and piano motif, it slowly expands with synth textures into something luminous and quietly defiant – a final act of catharsis that mirrors the record’s themes of transformation. Support has already come from Clash, DIY and Still Listening, while Norway’s NRK P3 awarded the album a perfect 6/6. We highly recommend you take the time to give the album a spin, and if you are free on Wednesday (12 Nov), catch her perform at the Strongroom in London. Utterly mesmerising and beautiful.
CONTACTS
Label: Leah Solomons, 777 Music
Publishing: Marion Skogseth, Warner Chappell
Live (Scandinavia): Thomas Paulsen, Standing Ovation
Management: Veronika Heilund, Sounds Like Honey
Photo Credit: Bertine Monsen
RECORD ARCHIVE
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