Swedish Songwriter SHY Martin’s First Single of 2019, “Out Of My Hands”

Hailing from Lerdala, Sweden, accomplished pop artist SHY Martin— real name Sara Hjellström— released her latest stunning single “Out Of My Hands” earlier this year in April. Following closely after her debut EP Overthinking, Hjellström is claiming her stake in the world of electro-pop as a radiant independent artist, paving the way for other female songwriters in the music industry.

Writing alongside numerous acclaimed artists on top hits like “First Time” by Kygo featuring Ellie Goulding, “All We Know” by The Chainsmokers, and “(Not) The One” by Bebe Rexha, Hjellström produces her own music and won ‘Most Streamed Song of the Year’ in Sweden on Spotify with an astounding 550 million+ streams. Her most notable co-write, Mike Perry’s “The Ocean,” secured this recognition, her featured vocals recorded in a single take in her home wardrobe after a tonsil operation.

Shining through the lyrics on “Out Of My Hands,” a silky melody sweeps across the three-minute and forty second track, her words incandescent and purposeful. The focus is on the cadence and sway of SHY’s soft, flowing voice as she sings of calamitous love and the pain that comes with letting it fade. The beat and use of electronics blends flawlessly with the rhythm, a lone guitar strummed over a thumping bass as a kaleidoscope of orange and white flowers fill the accompanying music video.

About the track, Hjellström explains, “I wrote ‘Out of My Hands’ last summer together with three of my favorite songwriters: Freddy Alexander, SHY Nodi and Madison Love. The song is about leaving behind a destructive relationship that you've become addicted to. When you've been in a relationship for a long time it's easier and less painful to stay in it, rather than leave it behind, as it’s so hard at the time to know who you are without the other person. I think that’s the reason why people tend to romanticize destructive relationships, and why it's so easy to fall right back into them.”

Overthinking has landed 100 million+ streams on Spotify over the last seven months— not a small feat by any means. We have a hunch that this year’s music will follow not far behind.

When SHY Martin isn’t composing her next big release, she works to combat gender inequality on the ‘Equalizer Project,’ a group started by Spotify CEO and Founder Daniel Ek and Swedish singer songwriter Max Martin. Continuing her support of philanthropic causes, she also made an appearance at 2018’s ‘Women In Harmony’ dinner hosted by Bebe Rexha, an event aimed to empower female artists in music, including Charli XCX, Kim Petras, and Avril Lavigne.

Hjellström launched her music career after winning a music contest at age 17 and was shortly after signed with record company EMI. She decided to go independent as she studied at Musikmakarna in Örnsköldsvik for songwriting, and is currently signed with BLNK Music in Stockholm.

SHY Martin recently wrapped up a tour through Europe, visiting cities in Ireland, the UK, and Sweden. Be sure to keep an eye on upcoming new music and tour dates over the next few months.