Confidence, freedom, beauty, and devotion are the core values of Metteson, Sverre Breivik's art project. Earlier this year, Metteson shared Come, Cry, a song bathed in pop escapism and with an anthem-like call to action: be a shoulder to cry on for those who need you in these difficult times. Described as a creator of "symphonies of devotion", Metteson forged a career at the prestigious National Theatre in Oslo before realising his true gift for songwriting, with a deep-rooted passion for performing art and music.

So, after touring Norway, he has been delighting fans across the UK with a powerful show that not only peaked at a memorable sold-out Brixton Academy show as the opening act for Aurora, but also inspired the song Never Let Me Go, which is released today. "I was so elated by the reaction I got from performing this song that I just had to release it. There's a total release and strength in the form, like the ultimate evolution of a Pokémon.”

Metteson forged a career at the prestigious National Theatre in Oslo before realising his true gift for songwriting, with a deep-rooted passion for performing art and music. And that translates very well into his musical output: the series of singles Come, Cry, Under Your Shirt and Second Heart (filmed in a seductive location: Det Gamle Biblioteke (The Old Library), it’s remarkable. But we could see that coming since his debut EP, Convince Me, was released including exquisite songs such as the brilliant Hold Me Like You Hold Your Favourite Book. Metteson takes a 360-degree approach to his craft, bringing in diverse elements of composition, dance and theatre. His work is like a disco in a theatre, a song that is a play, and a melody that is his voice. His songs are "camp and fun and elegant" (his own words) and resemble the heights of musicians like Rufus Wainwright, Years and Years or Owen Pallet. Their sonic imagery is notable for its appealing pop world of escapism that lives beyond the boundaries of reality; Metteson's new reality.

“Music supplies the perfect alibi: you can sing the truth about yourself as many times as you like, but it’ll stay in the realm of the imaginary […] The voice makes reality, even if that reality evaporates, like a dream the second the tape stops rolling”. These words come from Whining is Gender Neutral, the chapter about punk’s adolescent escapism in Sasha Geffen’s queer pop bible Glitter Up The Dark (University of Texas Press, 2020).

There is hope for the new generation. Queer intersectionality seems to be an unfinished business of true visibility and respect. So, inevitably, characters like Metteson are the linchpins of the new future; the ones who bring true inclusivity with all its nuances. A strong advocate and member of the LGBTQ+ music community, for Metteson, inspiring the next generation of artists of all backgrounds, genders and sexualities is a clear goal. And this is why it matters, because the realm of his imaginary is the one so many of us identify with, the one that we need to cling on to positive and vibrant queer narratives.

We had time to chat with him exclusively about his new song, his debut album, why his new song Never Let Me Go takes centre stage, and surprising things like how he's fascinated by the great Frou Frou, combining pop with theatre, and his own underwear. We're ready to jump into the summer of love with him.