In the Palm of Her Hand: An Interview and Tour Diary with Yndling
With a sound as immersive as a half-remembered dream and lyrics that cut with quiet precision, Yndling is carving out her own space in the realm of dream pop and shoegaze. Following the introspective beauty of her single “It’s Almost Like You’re Here,” the Norwegian artist returns with “As Fast as I Can,” a haunting exploration of emotional readiness and the complexities of love. As the second release from her upcoming sophomore album, ”(I’m in the Palm of Your Hand)”—a project set to unfold in two distinct parts—Yndling invites listeners deeper into a universe where vulnerability, noise, and intimacy all coexist. We caught up with her amid a whirlwind tour, including stops at SXSW and beyond, to talk about songwriting from opposing emotional perspectives, crafting sonic landscapes inspired by the likes of Beach House and Mazzy Star, and the unexpected joys of performing on a boat in Austin.
Interview with Yndling
1, Your new single, “As Fast as I Can,” explores themes of love, vulnerability, and emotional readiness. What inspired you to write this song, and how does it connect to your upcoming project, ‘(I’m in The Palm of Your Hand)’?’
This single is the second one from my upcoming sophomore album which will be released in two parts – the first one coming now in June and is called “(I’m in the Palm of Your Hand)”. It follows the first single from the album I released earlier this year, “It’s Almost Like You’re Here”, which is about being the one in a relationship wanting to move forward, and the frustration and hurt in sensing that the other person isn’t quite there yet. “As Fast as I Can” is written from the other perspective in that same situation, kinda trying to explain why it’s difficult to lean into love; It’s about feeling that love is there, but not feeling ready for it just yet – so it’s a love song and an explanation all in one – “I’m going as fast as I can”. Like always, my music is written from my life and personal experiences, and this upcoming album is about all the different roles and different people we are in different situations in life, given time. Sometimes you’re the one to get hurt and sometimes you’re the one making someone else feel bad, you know? It’s kind of about feeling like everyone and everything all at once.
2. You’ve been compared to artists like Mazzy Star and Beach House, and your music blends elements of shoegaze and dream pop. How do you approach crafting such an immersive and atmospheric sound?
I mean that’s honestly the best company I could ever be in, I love Mazzy Stas and Beach House and they’ve had a massive impact on the sound for Yndling so thanks a lot! When I first heard music like that, I was drawn to the intimacy and closeness in the music, even though the arrangements are big and sometimes quite noisy and raw. It was like I finally found a way to make music that allowed me to make loads of noise and at the same time be really quiet, you know? So that’s really what I have in mind when I make music for Yndling, keeping that intimacy in both lyric and sounds combined with big arrangements.
3. Your upcoming project is set to be released in two parts, with the first arriving in June. What can fans expect from each installment, and how do they differ in tone or theme?
Yes, I’ve decided to release my next album in two parts, which has given me the opportunity to play around with sounds and really divide the album in a new way for me, and has been so much fun! The first part, “(I’m in the Palm of Your Hand)” is arriving in June and is quite heavily shoegaze-inspired, whilst the next part has more of an inspiration from trip hop; Think Portishead, Massive Attack, those kinds of drum sounds and darkness, but still whilst keeping the blend of dream pop in there. All in all I’ve been feeling and leaning into a bit more of a darker sound for this next album, and still it all feels distinctly like Yndling.
4. You’re currently on tour, playing both North American and European dates, including major festivals like SXSW. How has performing live influenced your music, and what have been some standout moments from the road?
Ohh it’s been so much fun to get to play the new and unreleased songs for a live audience! I’ve really been enjoying it, and it’s made me so excited to share all the new music that’s to come. We’ve also made a new set with more of a heavier sound for our live shows, which has been a lot of fun to play; More guitar heavy and more dynamic than the shows we’ve done before. As for standout moments, for a Norwegian artist with most of my listeners overseas, it’s just been so great to get to meet a few of those who listen and interact with them on and after shows – and I think my favourite show might’ve been when we were invited to play at a boat in Austin, so you know if you wanna book us for your boat please do hahah.
Yndling’s Exclusive Tour Diary!
Between hazy hotel windows, fleeting roadside views, and the steady hum of unfamiliar cities, Yndling takes us inside the quiet magic and chaos of life on tour. In this intimate tour diary, the Norwegian dream-pop artist peels back the curtain on a whirlwind run of shows across North America—from surreal SXSW sets to tranquil backstage moments filled with laughter, stillness, and the in-between. Set to the shimmering textures of her own music, this is more than a behind-the-scenes glimpse—it’s a mood, a memory in motion, and a love letter to the liminal spaces where art is lived, not just made. Check it out below:
