Tove Lo

Tove Lo

Tove Lo is a Swedish singer and songwriter from Stockholm, born in 1987. Her full name is Ebba Tove Elsa Nilsson. She is known for an alternative pop style that draws on grunge, with lyrics that are often direct, personal and autobiographical. She is also described as having been called “the saddest girl in Sweden”.

Early life and career beginnings

She grows up in the Djursholm district of Danderyd and attends the music school Rytmus Musikergymnasiet. In 2006, she forms the rock band Tremblebee. After the group ends, she turns to songwriting and secures a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music in 2011. She works with producers including Alexander Kronlund, Max Martin and Xenomania, and establishes herself as a songwriter while also recording and releasing her own material independently.

Recording career

In 2013, Tove Lo signs with Universal Music, Island and Polydor. Her debut album, Queen of the Clouds, follows in 2014 and brings her wider recognition. The album includes “Habits (Stay High)”, a sleeper hit that reaches number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, and “Talking Body”.

Her second album, Lady Wood, appears in 2016 and reaches number 11 on the Billboard 200. Its lead single, “Cool Girl”, becomes an international hit. She follows it with Blue Lips in 2017 and Sunshine Kitty in 2019. The latter includes “Glad He's Gone”, which is nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Video.

Songwriting and collaborations

Alongside her own releases, she writes for other artists. Her credits include Lorde’s “Homemade Dynamite” and Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do”, the latter earning Grammy Award and Golden Globe nominations. She also collaborates with Charli XCX, Flume, SG Lewis, Dua Lipa, Kylie Minogue and Coldplay.

Style

Her music is associated with pop, alternative pop, contemporary R&B, dance-pop, electropop and indie pop.