The Sound of Sweden: How a Nordic Nation Conquered the Global Pop Conscience

If you look at a map, Sweden is a relatively slender Scandinavian country populated by roughly 10 million people. Yet, if you look at the history of global pop music, Sweden is a heavy-weight titan.

Aside from the United States and the United Kingdom, no other nation has punched above its weight quite like Sweden in exporting timeless, culture-defining music. From the pristine disco-pop gloss of the 1970s to stadium-rock anthems, 90s Euro-dance, and the hyper-melodic machinery of modern streaming hits, Swedish songwriters and artists have practically written the soundtrack to modern life.