The second release on their ØBSCURE RECORDS imprint builds on the trio’s distinctive blend of indie dance, progressive house and alternative pop
Following the release of their debut single ‘Dive’, ANDØLD return with ‘Mantra’, a gorgeous, emotion-rich, hypnotic indie dance track that continues to establish the sound of the new electronic trio and their independent label, ØBSCURE RECORDS.
Written in Stockholm by Harold van Lennep, Andreas Ahrnberg and Matilda Thompson, ‘Mantra’ combines insistent rhythms, warm electronic textures and atmospheric vocals, balancing the weight of its production with a distinctly uplifting feel. Sitting somewhere between the emotive electronics of Yotto, the atmospheric songwriting of Cubicolor and the textured productions of CRi, the record draws on progressive house and indie dance while retaining a strong pop sensibility.
As with their debut single, the lyrics were written and performed by Matilda and fellow Swedish singer Marlene Strand, recorded together in unison directly into the same microphone.
The track emerged while the trio were working on a follow-up to ‘Drifter’, which is now scheduled as their third single. Although both records share a similar sonic foundation, ‘Mantra’ developed in a lighter direction, reflecting the relaxed and grounded atmosphere in which it was written. Its production came together quickly, with the group finding a sound that felt like a natural continuation of their earlier work.
Lyrically, ‘Mantra’ touches on the distractions and expectations of modern life, and the importance of finding space to trust your own instincts. Rather than making an overt statement, the idea runs through the music itself, with its repeating rhythms and gradually developing arrangement creating a sense of momentum and release.
The single is the second chapter in a connected series of three releases, beginning with ‘Dive’ and concluding with ‘Drifter’. Conceived as part of the same creative period, the tracks explore different moods within a consistent musical framework, offering an introduction to the direction ANDØLD intend to develop.
The project brings together three long-time friends with extensive experience across electronic music and international pop. Harold van Lennep has released on Armada and Universal, with his track ‘Liberation’ surpassing 150 million streams. Matilda Thompson has written for artists including Pitbull, Becky G and Red Velvet, while Andreas Ahrnberg’s credits span pop, experimental music, Eurovision and Netflix.
Having first met at a writing session in Amsterdam in 2018, the three developed ANDØLD through years of collaboration, launching the project and their own ØBSCURE RECORDS imprint in September 2026.
With ‘Mantra’, ANDØLD build on the foundations of ‘Dive’, further defining an approach that brings together the physical energy of electronic music with atmospheric production and considered songwriting.
MANTRA is out 30 October on ØBSCURE RECORDS