Stripped of the noise, the lights, and the labels, what remains is the music that truly matters. The Lifeboat Playlist is a raw deep dive into the sonic DNA of the artists we love, forcing them to choose the ten definitive tracks they’d carry into isolation. It’s a survival kit built on gut-level resonance—a collection of anthems, heartbreaks, and high-octane riffs that define a lifetime. From stadium-sized roars to vulnerable late-night confessions, these are the songs that keep the fire burning when the horizon feels endless.
For Norea, these ten tracks aren’t just influences—they’re blueprints. They represent the standards measured against and the kind of songwriting that makes you want to start a band in the first place. Each one captures something essential—whether it’s ambition, atmosphere, melody, or sheer conviction—and together they form the foundation of how she approaches writing and performing today.
From early-morning café survival soundtracks to breakup lifelines and serendipitous clothing-store discoveries, this is Norea’s ultimate sonic lifeboat.
W: Karl Watson I: Ellen Milton
1: The Dandy Warhols - Godless
This is the opening track from Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia, which is one of my all-time favourite albums. It’s one of those records I never seem to get tired of, no matter how many times I return to it. And “Godless” is such a perfect album opener — probably my favourite song on the record. At least today.
2: Prince Rama - Your Life In The End
Xtreme Now is another album I’ve listened to endlessly over the years. It always puts me in a better mood somehow. Years ago I worked early mornings at a café, which was deeply incompatible with me as a person, and I used to play this album on the way to work just to emotionally survive waking up that early.
3: Jack River - Fool’s Gold
This one is a little bit random. I heard it while shopping for clothes years ago, Shazamed it in the store, and it’s somehow become one of my most played songs ever since. I just think it’s an incredibly well-written pop song. In many ways, it’s also a blueprint for how I’d like my own music to sound.
4: Those Darlins - Western Sky
This is another song that’s followed me through a lot of different periods in life. I know I talk about melodies constantly, but that’s really what makes this song so special to me — every melody in it feels completely perfect.
5: Yo La Tengo - Today Is The Day
You know those songs you hear and immediately wish you had written yourself? This is one of those songs for me. I’ve probably tried to accidentally rewrite it countless times over the years, obviously without the same succes
6: [ingenting] - Bergochdalbanan
[ingenting] is one of my favourite bands of all time and this song helped me through one of my worst breakups, many years ago. I can still barely listen to it without crying.
7: King Hannah - All Being Fine
One of my favourite things about being a drum teacher is discovering music through my students. One of them wanted to learn this song, which is how I first heard it. Since then it’s become one of my most listened-to tracks.
8: Hinds ft Beck - Boom Boom Back
This is more of a recent discovery and I don’t have much more to say about it rather than that I think it’s super groovy and puts me in a really good mood. It feels like the perfect spring anthem.
9: Rome Is Not A Town - Golden Fever
Rome Is Not A Town played in Malmö a few weeks ago right after releasing their new album, and this track immediately stood out to me. Seeing them live was also one of the best concerts I’ve been to in a very long time.
10: The Beths - Jump Rope Gazers
I love the Beths because of their vulnerability and wonderful melodies and songwriting. This song in particular has stayed very close to my heart over the years.