ABELA photographed by Kannika
As she gears up for a new EP and a starring musical role, ABELA proves she’s just getting started.
Finland-born and Stockholm-based firestarter ABELA kicks down the door to her next era—louder, freer and gloriously unfiltered. A blast of punk spirit, rock grit and pop adrenaline, the track is a rallying cry for anyone who refuses to shrink themselves to fit expectations. Since her 2019 debut, ABELA has carved out a space in the Nordic alt-pop scene with a voice that slices through the noise and lyrics that leave a mark. Her 2024 debut album LOST earned international praise and multiple major playlist placements, and her music continues to make waves on Finnish radio. After a recent collaboration with a Swedish metal band pushed her back toward her heavier roots, ABELA returns with her new single “WICKED”—a no-apology anthem that cements her as one of the most exciting and uncompromising new artists to watch.
As she preps a 2026 EP and steps into a lead musical theatre role in Stockholm, ABELA isn’t just leveling up; she’s tearing up the rulebook entirely. In this interview, she opens up about identity, rebellion, and what it really means to live “like the wicked.”
You are a Finnish-born, Stockholm based artist, how does this identity
shape you as an artist? How and when did you decide to move to Sweden,
and was it a difficult decision to make?
ABELA: Regarding the move; being from the coast close to Sweden, growing up with Swedish TV and being part of the Swedish speaking minority in Finland (grew up in Ostrobothnia, on the coast) I’ve always had one eye on Sweden. Thinking that one day I would like to try live in a place where the majority speaks my language, I thought that would be a cool feeling! And also because of music, many of the world’s best selling music is created by Swedes so they are doing something right here, when it comes to that! I had the thought while I was studying at the university in Finland that maybe I’d like to try Sweden afterwards, and so I went ahead with the plan after I graduated!
The identity of being from a minority in one country and living in another is always part of my daily life, I’m not sure it affects my artistry per se, but as a person yes. I think everyone that is part of a minority knows very well that it affects you whether you want it to or not. In Sweden I’m the “Finnish” person, and in Finland I’m the “Swedish” person (having my mother tongue being Swedish). So you can never really feel at home, except for in my actual hometown Kaskö.
“Wicked” is described as a rebellious and electrifying anthem. What
was the very first spark that ignited the idea for the song?
ABELA: I went into the studio with my book where I write lyrics on-the-go. When I get ideas or whatever. Before the session I looked through my texts and I got stuck on the words “I’m gonna live like the wicked”. And I already felt the melody in me as well. So when I went into the studio with Agnes Hjalmarsson I told her.”I want to write a song with a hook that sounds like this!” and I sang the part out loud. We talked about sound and style, and from there it was on!
If you had to describe “Wicked” using just three words that capture
its energy, what would they be?
ABELA: Raw, rebellious, wicked.
The song celebrates choosing your own fire over someone else’s rules.
Was this message inspired by a personal moment or experience?
ABELA: Yes, I think being a musician already is going against the grain. Because a lot of the time, we don’t follow the normal life choices and paths, which to some might be upsetting or strange, and also being the one that makes these other choices (not following the usual norm) can also be exhausting. I continuously question what I want to do with my life and how I want to live it, to try to stay on top of it and make sure I’m giving myself the opportunities to live life as I want to. If I ever have a tough day questioning everything I always try to convince myself that I’m doing what’s right for ME, so I should stop comparing myself to others. And “Wicked” is kind of the anthem for this.
Take us into the studio—what was the feeling in the room while
creating “Wicked”? Do you start with lyrics or music first when
creating a song?
ABELA: Since I had the hook “I wanna live like the wicked” already, we could just take it from there. I love when my audience sing, dance and jump together with me so I found the bpm from jumping up and down (true story!). And since my producer Agnes Hjalmarsson is a guitarist (and I love electric guitars!!) it was obvious that she should do some cool riffs on the song!! Usually I’m a lyric person, but with this song we did kind of everything at the same time. We wrote the song in a couple of hours, and it was finished when we left the studio that day. “Wicked” is one of those songs that just came out, no forcing involved haha.
You worked closely with Agnes Hjalmarsson again. How does your
collaboration dynamic help shape the sound and attitude of the track?
ABELA: Having worked together before, we know each other better now and kind of know what the other person likes. Since the music should be presented under my name, I have the last word on sound but Agnes has a great idea of what I like and I also tell her in the room how I feel that day and what kind of music and vibes I want to do. And again, her being a guitarist really helps the process, when we can record the guitars on the spot.
“Wicked” blends punk spirit, rock grit and pop edge. How do you find
the balance between those worlds?
ABELA: Balancing it is not something I think about, but what I do think about is I want it VIBE when you listen to it, I want it to be great for playing LIVE (getting the audience going) and I want it to be FUN for me to sing it as well! And just in general, if I feel that “THIS SOUNDS SO COOL AND AWESOME” I know it’s something I want to do. I just need to like it and I’m good.
What was the hardest part of making the song—and what was surprisingly easy?
ABELA: We didn’t really have anything “hard” on this song, since it was pretty easy making it and we were both vibing doing it. We’re breaking some unwritten rules around how to write mainstream music though!! That made us wonder if it was ok doing what we did haha, but we just went for it. It just felt even more rebellious that way, and if it’s good, why would we change it??!
Who is “Wicked” written for? Is there a certain person or group of
people you hope will hear it most?
ABELA: “Wicked” is for anyone who’s ever felt underestimated, boxed in or told to play small. It’s for anyone who feels like they need the courage and the last potion of motivation to take the first step against something they really want to do but maybe feel too afraid or insecure to do it. I will always be pro-happiness, and I think more of us would be happier if we would fight our fears more.
You’ve built a reputation for music with honesty, edge and strong
identity. When did you first decide you wanted to work in music?
ABELA: I’ve always had music in my life growing up, in different ways. Always singing and playing instruments. When I attended university in Finland I had a band and we used to play covers at student parties. Then I moved to Italy by myself, having no family or friends there and everything I was used to was ripped away from me in a moment. I started building a new life there and somehow I left music a bit on the side. But with time passing there I started missing it, A LOT. I bought a notebook and started sitting in cafés writing songs (or maybe more poems on the paper) about my life there, about my experiences and thoughts. I changed and grew a lot moving by myself to a new country just like that, so I had a lot to write about. It was at this moment I realized just HOW much music means to me and how much I need it in my life. Before I’d taken it for granted but now I understand that it was something that I have to actively do, because it gives me so much joy. From this moment on, I also talked with my band in Finland saying “why are we doing covers, when we could write our own songs?”. And from there it begins.
Which artists influence you and with whom would you love to
collaborate in the future?
ABELA: I LOVE a band called Everybody loves an outlaw, I also listen to Dead Sara and love their sound too! On the reference list right now for my second album I have these, and also bands like Arctic Monkeys, Paramore and Foo Fighters. Vocally my biggest inspirations are Christina Aguilera and Jessie J and when it comes to songwriting Tove Lo and Raye!
You’ve been named “One to Watch” by international press. Does that add
pressure—or fuel the fire?
ABELA: FUELS THE FIRE !!!
What do you think is the most misunderstood thing about being an artist in 2025?
ABELA: That people think the alternatives are being super famous or you didn’t make it. I know a lot of bands and musicians that are not on the radio, but are still making ends meet with their band and music. Let’s go to more concerts from smaller artists and bands, they’re doing the heavy lifting!
You recently collaborated with a Swedish metal band—how did that
experience shift your sound going into “Wicked”?
ABELA: Actually going into the studio with ATHEENA, “Wicked” was already finished. BUT, collaborating with them DID make me find my roots again for music I used to listen to when I was younger. More Slipknot, Rise Against and similar. So I started going back to the roots when I listen to music by myself. Working with music destroys listening to it a bit though. Because instead of just enjoying the music, you listen to the production, the lyrics, the beat. You start analyzing it, so it’s not always so relaxing, haha! I think many musicians experience the same thing.
You’ve had a strong journey since your debut in 2019 and your album
LOST in 2024. Looking back, what moment changed the game for you?
ABELA: First of all, thank you so much!
It’s hard to choose only one though… but releasing my first album was pretty cool. It made 10-year-old-me VERY happy!! I showed myself that I can do anything I want if I just set my mind to it, and I did. And still do.
In 2026 you’ll release a new EP and star in a musical in Stockholm.
How does it feel stepping into these bigger and bolder chapters?
ABELA: I’m so so excited !!! The songs on my debut album were songs created over a big span of many years, meanwhile this time when I release, the songs will be very recently written, hence very ME at the same time I’m releasing them. I’m so so looking forward to stepping into this new era!! Also regarding the musical, I’ve played in musicals for some years now, but having the leading role obviously puts a lot more pressure on me, and I also want to do it really well!! So I’m already rehearsing my lines, choreography and singing to make it the best I can, even if the premiere isn’t that close yet!
What kind of stories and energy can fans expect from the new EP?
ABELA: More fire! More rawness!! And I’ve had a lot of fun making it together with Tim Bergstedt, so I hope that will shine through as well! I can let you in on a little secret as well; I’m making music videos for all of the songs, and those will be next level !!! I HAVE DANCERS JOINING ME!!!
What are your plans career-wise for the future, any specific goals?
ABELA: YES! I want to have a big release party for my EP, I want to finish my second album during 2026 and also play more abroad outside of Sweden and Finland. I’m ready to tour!!!
Do you have any advice for beginner artists?
Finishing is more important than perfecting. Just keep going and keep releasing.
What’s the most wicked thing you’ve ever done (that you’re willing to
admit publicly!)?
ABELA: Tough question! I usually save the best stories for the afterparties, haha!
Okay, so one thing I can think about that I feel comfortable sharing can be a memory from when I lived in Italy. After a club night, me and a friend met a group of guys on the street on our way home, and they invited us to come and eat in their house. They were like 10 guys, all seemed older than us and we were only two young girls in our early 20s. I convinced my friend that we should go and she came along just because she didn’t want me to go alone. Thinking about this now, this seems soooo stupid, two young girls going home with 10 guys we don’t know in a foreign country. But it ended up as a really nice memory, the place had an awesome view and the guys made us spaghetti (of course!).
I’ll save the bolder stories for the afterparties!
About the Author
