Smerz is a Norwegian electronic music duo consisting of Catharina Stoltenberg and Henriette Motzfeldt. The duo splits their time between Oslo, Norway, and Copenhagen, Denmark. Their music has been described as "deadpan, vividly detailed electro-pop pulsating with personality, sensuality and dry humor." Their name comes from the German word herzschmerz, meaning "heartache".
History Catharina Stoltenberg and Henriette Motzfeldt met at high school in Oslo and moved to Copenhagen in 2011. In Copenhagen, Motzfeldt studied composition at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory, where she was classmates with several artists who would form part of a broader Danish alternative pop scene, including Erika de Casier, ML Buch, Astrid Sonne, and Fine Glindvad.
Catharina Stoltenberg is the daughter of Norwegian politician Jens Stoltenberg, who served as Prime Minister of Norway twice between 2000 and 2013.
Smerz released their debut single, "Because", on SoundCloud in 2016. Later that year, they followed it with the EP Okey, released on Escho in Denmark and HardUp in the UK. In 2017, the duo signed with XL Recordings and re-released Okey under the new label. Their next EP, Have fun, arrived in 2018, also through XL. In 2021, Smerz released their debut studio album, Believer, on XL Recordings. That same year, they released the mixtape Før og etter on their own label, Shopping.
Smerz have been hosting a monthly radio show on NTS Radio since 2017.
Smerz have played concerts at Tate Modern in London, MoMA PS1 in New York, Mutek in Mexico City and Montreal, Berghain in Berlin, Pitchfork Festival in Chicago, Roskilde Festival in Denmark, and Volksbühne in Berlin. On their 2025 fall tour of the United States, singer Sky Ferreira joined the duo for a surprise duet in Los Angeles.
In April 2026, the duo signed an open letter calling for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 due to Israel's participation amid its genocide in Gaza.
They opened for Lorde on the Ultrasound World Tour on 14 and 15 May 2026 in Los Angeles, and will open again in Pula, Croatia on 18 August 2026.
Discography Studio albums +TitleYearRecord labelBeliever2021XL RecordingsBig City Life2025Escho
Remix albums +TitleYearRecord labelBig city life EDITS2025Escho
EPs +TitleYearRecord labelOkey2016Escho, HardUpOkey2017XL RecordingsHave fun2018XL RecordingsAllina2024Shopping RecordsEasy EP2026Escho
Mixtapes +TitleYearRecord labelFør og etter2021Shopping
Singles +TitleYearLabelAlbum"Because"2016Self-released"Because"2016Escho, HardUpOkey"Blessed""Sure""Oh my my"2017XL RecordingsHave fun"No harm""Half life""Have fun""Før og etter"2020EschoEscho 15 år: Burgers for my new life"The favourite" / "Rap interlude"2020XL RecordingsBeliever"I dont talk about that much" / "Hva hvis""Believer"2021"Flashing""Remember""My Producer2024Shopping RecordsAllina"You got time and I got money"2025escho
Commissioned work +TitleYearArtist(s)TypeØy2020Carte BlancheMusic for dance performanceMiss France2021August Barron / ALL-IN StudioSoundtrack for runway showDebutante2022August Barron / ALL-IN StudioSoundtrack for runway showAllina2024August Barron / ALL-IN StudioSoundtrack for runway showUptown Girl2024August Barron / ALL-IN StudioSoundtrack for runway showReal Housewife2025August Barron / ALL-IN StudioSoundtrack for runway show
Sampled on +TitleSample ofYearArtist(s)Album"If U Ever""I don't talk about that much"2021OvermonoIf U Ever"Stop Playin""Flashing"2022Lil Baby and JeremihIt's Only Me"Good Lies2"No Harm"2023OvermonoGood Lies
As featured artist(s) +TitleYearArtist(s)Album"Guess What"2017Code WalkGuess What"Verdens smarteste person"2022CezinandoSamtidig
Remixes +TitleYearArtist(s)"Friendly (Smerz Remix)"2021Erika de Casier"Say you love me - Smerz EDIT"2024Astrid Sonne
Songwriting and production credits +TitleYearArtist(s)Album"Verdens smarteste person"2022CezinandoSamtidig"ASAP"2023NewJeansGet Up EP
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