Galantis

Galantis is a Swedish electronic music project, which was originally a duo consisting of Christian "Bloodshy" Karlsson and Linus Eklöw, also known as Style of Eye. They are known for their pop-infused electronic dance music. Currently, Galantis is primarily led by Christian Karlsson, as Linus Eklöw departed the project in 2021.

Formation and Background

Christian Karlsson is a highly acclaimed producer, known for his work as part of the production duo Bloodshy & Avant and the indie pop band Miike Snow. He has co-written and produced songs for major artists such as Britney Spears, for whom he co-wrote the Grammy-winning track "Toxic," Madonna, and Katy Perry. Linus Eklöw, known as Style of Eye, comes from the Stockholm techno scene and has a background in producing a range of electronic music styles. He notably co-wrote and produced Icona Pop's international hit "I Love It." The two met by chance at Karlsson's studio in Stockholm in 2007 and officially formed Galantis in 2012.

Career Highlights

Galantis signed with Big Beat Records, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records, in mid-2013. Their early singles "Smile" and "You" gained traction, with "You" becoming one of the most Shazamed tracks at the 2014 Ultra Music Festival. Their international breakthrough came with the 2014 single "Runaway (U & I)," which became a global hit and received a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording. This track was featured on their debut album, "Pharmacy," released in 2015, which also included the popular singles "Peanut Butter Jelly" and "Gold Dust." The album topped the Billboard Dance album chart.

Their second album, "The Aviary" (2017), featured the platinum-certified single "No Money," which was their first song to enter the US Billboard Hot 100. Their third album, "Church," was released in 2020 and included collaborations with artists like Dolly Parton on the track "Faith." In 2021, they achieved a major UK dance hit with "Heartbreak Anthem," a collaboration with David Guetta and Little Mix. The project's fourth album, "Rx", was released in 2024.

Musical Style and Visuals

Galantis is recognized for blending energetic electronic music with strong songwriting and pop sensibilities. A key element of their branding is the "Seafox," a mythical creature created by visual artist Mat Maitland. The Seafox is featured in their music videos, on their album art, and in their live performances, serving as the official mascot for the project.