Leija Lautamaja
is a pop artist who defies easy categorization — and that is precisely why she strikes a chord. Moving fluidly across the boundaries of folk, pop, and rock, she blends the warmth of the pump organ and the electric guitar with the danceable beat of a drum machine. The sound is rounded out by soulful, at times even naivist, lyrics.
The debut album by Lautamaja — known for her work with bands such as The Moontwins, ENKEL, and Floating Sofa Quartet — titled Sydän tuli piilosta, was released in the spring of 2024 and received an enthusiastic reception from outlets including Radio Helsinki, Yle’s specialty programs, Rumba, and Helsingin Sanomat. The album was also nominated in the Ethno category at the 2025 Emma Gala. A follow-up album is expected in the autumn of 2026.