Heimwee

I never thought I’d grow so fond of my own language. Honestly, I’ve never been a huge fan of ‘Hollands’—yes, it’s Dutch, but it’s quite different from the way we speak it. There’s a world of difference in how it sounds. Yet, now I’ve got Dutch songs in my playlist, thanks mostly to two fantastic women: Merol and Eefje de Visser. Eefje, though, has a bit of a Belgian link, as she lives in Ghent with her husband and child.

Bitterzoet

It’s hard to believe it’s already been four years since she wowed the world with her incredible album “Bitterzoet,” which translates to “bittersweet” in English. This album skyrocketed her to the top of the Dutch indie pop scene. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve listened to it. You can check out the music video for the title track below.

The challenge of creating something amazing is that it sets sky-high expectations for whatever comes next. Her new album “Heimwee” has been out since September 13. It’s her fifth studio album. The initial spark for what would become a new musical chapter started with the English lyrics “homesick in my hometown.” This set the stage for a fresh creative journey, one that promises to be just as captivating as her previous work, rich in depth and nuance. No one captures and uncovers emotions quite like Eefje de Visser.

I believe she is unique with her distinctive cryptic manner of writing song lyrics. The production quality is impressive, with producer and husband Pieterjan Coppejans showcasing his skill in artfully blending sounds. He flawlessly intertwines the vocals with the instruments, especially evident when you listen with headphones that allow you to immerse yourself in her world. This is a highly recommend listen!