Highly Sedated

Highly Sedated is a Swedish electronica band formed in July 2015, known for their genre-defying sound that blends electronic dance music (EDM), techno, rock, hip-hop, and classical influences. The group consists of Patrick Ray (vocals), Verner Vestlund (vocals), Leon Somov (production), Sebastian Dollinger (creative direction and marketing), and Hannes Söderlund (synths and instrumentation). They are signed to Steve Angello's SIZE Records, and released their debut album All We Have Is Now in 2017.

The band is recognized for their cinematic and emotive production style, thought-provoking lyrics, and immersive live performances that often incorporate orchestral elements. Highly Sedated has performed with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra and received critical praise for pushing the boundaries of live electronic music.

History

Formation and Early Years (2015–2016)

Highly Sedated was formed in July 2015, following a creative meeting between Lithuanian producer Leon Somov and a group of Swedish musicians and artists in Stockholm and Vilnius. United by a shared vision to create electronic music with emotional depth and strong visual identity, the five members began collaborating in studio sessions that would lead to their first singles.

Their debut single, "Existence," was released in 2016 on SIZE Records and gained attention for its haunting atmosphere and intricate production. It was followed by additional singles such as "Got Some Water" and "Last Call," which showcased their evolving sound and growing audience.

All We Have Is Now and Breakthrough (2017)

The band’s debut studio album, All We Have Is Now, was released on 28 July 2017 via SIZE Records. The album includes 12 tracks, including “Make Love,” “Highly Sedated,” “Smoke Rings,” and “Burn.” The record received positive reviews for its fusion of progressive house, trip-hop, and synth-driven rock.

The band described the album as a “beautiful pathogen,” citing influence from minimalist composers such as Philip Glass, techno acts like Moderat, and classic rock bands including Guns N’ Roses. Songs like “Smoke Rings” and “We Try” were praised for their ambient textures, falsetto vocals, and live instrumentation.

In July 2017, Highly Sedated performed at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, blending orchestral arrangements with their electronic sound.

Live Performances and Artistic Direction

Highly Sedated is known for their theatrical and emotionally immersive live shows, often incorporating live strings, cinematic visuals, and carefully choreographed lighting. All visual elements, including cover art and promotional content, are developed in-house or in collaboration with contemporary artists.

Revolution and Later Releases (2018–2020)

In 2018, the band retreated to an old wooden theatre in Värmland, Sweden, to reignite their creativity and record new material. This led to the release of "Revolution," a track that blended trip-hop influences with modern electronic production, produced in collaboration with Swedish producer Thomas Rusiak.

The band continued to release music through SIZE Records, including singles like "Don’t Be A Victim" and "Lion Bar Lady," while also contributing to the label’s Värmland compilation.

Musical Style and Influences

Highly Sedated's music is described as a fusion of progressive house, techno, alternative rock, and classical music. The band members draw from a wide range of influences:

• Patrick Ray cites 1990s hip-hop, blues (Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters), and Swedish folk music.
• Verner Vestlund references trip-hop and ambient artists such as Moderat, David August, and Bob Moses.
• Leon Somov draws inspiration from minimalist composers like Philip Glass and electronica pioneers like Thom Yorke.
• Hannes Söderlund is influenced by classic rock bands such as Guns N’ Roses and instrumental electronic artists like N’to and Nils Frahm.
• Sebastian Dollinger contributes a background in creative direction and has cited early exposure to soul and funk via his father’s work with Radio Luxembourg.

The band's aesthetic is often described as “analogue as digital can get,” reflecting their balance between organic instrumentation and digital production.

Discography

Studio Albums

• All We Have Is Now (2017, SIZE Records)
• Symphony (2019, SIZE Records)

Select Singles

• "Existence" (2016)
• "Got Some Water" (2017)
• "Highly Sedated" (2017)
• "Make Love" (2017)
• "Burn" (2017)
• "Last Call" (2017)
• "Don’t Be A Victim" (2018)
• "Revolution" (2019)
• "Lion Bar Lady" (2019)

Remixes

• "Make Love (CYA Remix)"
• "Highly Sedated (Corey James & Anckarstrom Remix)"
• "Burn (Brennen Grey Remix)"
• "Last Call (CYA Remix)"