Hailing from the dense woods of Os, Norway, singer-songwriter Simen Mitlid crafts lush indie-folk in a style that might remind you of Sufjan Stevens, or Deerhunter. "Birds" is an acoustic ballad about black metal, fake IDs, growing up, dying, birthdays - and birds.

Simen wrote and recorded this beautiful track in his very small Oslo studio with a view over a heavily-trafficked highway. "Birds" pairs gorgeous melody with soft harmonies and a dynamic production in a way that feels both melancholic and deeply hopeful. As Simen chronicles the vapid ceremony of idle chatter, he also lays the foundation for a more profound connection. Exploring the details of his own life in a way that is utterly personal, Simen makes a statement about how much we all have in common - we all call our parents, we show kindness to our friends, we notice odd details in the world around us. "Birds" is, at its core, simply a collection of moments in time, delivered in a plain and vulnerable way. Somehow, we emerge with a deeper understanding of how our own heart was once broken.

Eating very slow at my best friend's birthday
And I don't even know what day it really is
Making up stories just to have a conversation
Doesn't really help. I can't catch a word you're saying

This song is featured on our Roots Collection playlist.