MØ

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

MØ is the stage name of Karen Marie Ørsted, a Danish singer and songwriter who was born near Odense in 1988 and grew up on the island of Funen. As a child she was captivated by the Spice Girls; as a teenager she listened to punk and to Sonic Youth and Nirvana. She saw Kim Gordon as her great role model. She began in small projects, including with the duo MOR, and signed with Sony Music in 2012.

Music and breakthrough

In 2013 her first single Glass was released, soon followed by Pilgrim and the EP Bikini Daze. In 2014 came the debut album No Mythologies to Follow, with Don't Wanna Dance. That year she also contributed to Iggy Azalea's Beg for It. Her breakthrough to a large audience came in 2015 with Lean On, which she co-wrote and sang for Major Lazer and DJ Snake. It reached number one in several countries. In 2016 came Cold Water, again with Major Lazer, this time with Justin Bieber, and her own Final Song. Later albums are Forever Neverland from 2018, Motordrome from 2022 and Plæygirl from 2025.

Influence

Her music combines electronic pop and dance rhythms with a sharp, direct voice and with remnants of the punk she grew up with. MØ shows how a Danish singer, by way of producers and DJs from the world of dance, ended up in international pop.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 2014No Mythologies to Follow
• 2018Forever Neverland
• 2022Motordrome
• 2025Plæygirl