Swedish singer-songwriter Winona Oak (born Joanna Ekmark) has returned with her deeply personal and emotionally charged EP, “Salt,” a four-track collection that explores the intersection of grief, trauma, and self-empowerment.
Following her poignant 2024 EP “Void,” which grappled with the loss of her mother to cancer, “Salt” delves even deeper into Winona’s emotional landscape, offering a raw and cathartic exploration of her physical and emotional states.
“I wanted to write about topics that I wanted to get out of my system, but I hadn’t felt brave enough to do when I was younger,” Winona says. “Every song on this EP has been like a therapy session – writing about these subjects has been like putting salt in the wounds, but also salt from crying tears.”
Recorded in Stockholm with Danish producer Vera, alongside Martin Stilling and Aron Wyme, “Salt” is a masterclass in glistening electro-pop. The EP, co-written with acclaimed songwriters Litens Anton Nilsson, Lina Hansson, and Moa Pettersson Hammar, strikes a balance between minimalism and expansiveness, crafting a sound that feels both deeply intimate and universally resonant.
The EP opens with the confessional and minimalist track “I Broke Me First,” which gradually builds into a powerful anthem of self-reflection. With a thumping beat and roiling synths, Winona’s haunting vocals deliver the harrowing line, “I can’t get hurt any worse than I hurt me.” The song is a raw examination of mental health and the internal battles she’s faced. As Winona explains, “Grief takes you into this ocean of trauma. You open that door, and everything comes over you.”
“It’s not my fault” is a gentle yet empowering anthem that reassures Winona’s younger self—and listeners—that past traumas are beyond control. The delicate rhythm and vulnerable lyrics create a safe space for healing as she repeats the affirming mantra, “It’s not my fault.” Winona describes the song as a weapon against pain, offering solace to those who’ve experienced similar struggles.
With “My Body,” Winona explores her relationship with her physical form, addressing societal beauty standards and self-acceptance. With its shimmering production and heartfelt lyrics, the song serves as a powerful message of self-love and empowerment, particularly for young listeners navigating similar struggles.
“You’re Always High” is a piano-led ballad that grapples with the emotional toll of loving someone who struggles with addiction. Winona reflects on a relationship where she had to choose herself over a partner who couldn’t save themselves. The song is a poignant reminder of the importance of self-preservation and the difficult choices that come with love.
Winona Oak first emerged in 2017, teaming up with Australian electronic producer What So Not for a trio of breakout singles—“Better,” “Stuck in Orbit,” and “Beautiful.” The latter earned critical acclaim, winning Best Independent Dance/Electronica/Club Single at the 2019 AIR Independent Music Awards. Her career skyrocketed in 2018 with her collaboration on The Chainsmokers’ hit “Hope,” followed by her debut single “He Don’t Love Me” in 2019.
Since then, Winona has released a series of critically acclaimed projects, including her debut EP “Closure” (2020), the follow-up “She” (2021), and her debut album “Island of the Sun” (2022). Her music is characterized by its poetic lyricism, emotive vocals, and lush electro-pop production.
“Salt” is a therapeutic journey. As Winona explains, “Writing about these subjects has been like putting salt in the wounds, but also salt from crying tears. But also, I feel like these are the songs that will make people feel things, maybe uncomfortable things. Maybe it’s not the most easily digested EP, but, like a little bit of salt, it’s gonna make you feel something. It’s gonna sting.”
Photo /Julian Gillstrom
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