Finnish label Youth Control makes a powerful return with ‘Leikki / Herään’, a double single from rising Helsinki-based artist and producer Hellänelli. The release signals a fresh chapter for both label and artist, pairing crisp minimalism with melodic depth and an unmistakable northern touch. Buy/Stream it here: https://yc.fanlink.tv/YOU058.
‘Leikki’ builds around a pulsing groove, tight percussion and a hypnotic bassline that pulls you in with its simplicity and flow. ‘Herään’ moves in a more introspective direction, with smooth textures, deep rhythm and soft vocals that hover delicately above the mix. Together, they form an elegant balance between underground precision and emotional warmth, reflecting the next evolution of Youth Control’s sound.
Hellänelli’s story runs deeper than a debut. A long-time musician, she has performed hundreds of gigs, written songs for top Finnish artists including Bess and Robin Packalen, and earned gold records and an Emma Award nomination with her former rap group Bämä. After years spent in Finland’s mainstream music scene, she steps into the electronic underground with a project that reflects her roots as both producer and performer.
Having lived in Berlin, her sound carries traces of the city’s deep and minimal landscape, merging the grit of its clubs with the melodic soul of her Finnish background. Her use of voice remains subtle but powerful, a whisper that guides rather than dominates.
For Youth Control, the release marks a return to music with renewed energy and focus after a brief hiatus, when the founders turned their attention to innovation at the crossroads of disruptive tech and digital entertainment. This work now supports their vision for the label’s next chapter, as they build on a reputation for discovering Finnish talent and connecting it to a global audience. With ‘Leikki / Herään’, the tone is set for the label’s next steps: forward-thinking, emotive, and designed to make you move.
‘Leikki / Herään’ is out now via Youth Control, available on all major platforms.
Hellänelli
Youth Control Records
