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Key Information

Cecilie Maja Hastrup Karshøj,[2] known professionally as Coco O., is a Danish musician best known as the singer in electronic soul duo Quadron. She released her debut album It's a Process in 2021.[3]

Early life

[edit]

Cecilie Maja Hastrup Karshøj was born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark.[1] Her father is biracial of Tanzanian descent.[4]

Karshøj began singing in kindergarten and aspired to sing professionally from childhood.[5][1] She first realized that her voice was received positively by others during a secondary school performance of a Bill Withers song.[4] She names Michael Jackson and Lauryn Hill as early inspirations. Karshøj's grandfather was a jazz musician.[1]

Career

[edit]

Quadron

[edit]

Performing under the name Coco O., she formed the duo Quadron with Robin Hannibal of Rhye in 2009.[6] The word Quadron comes from archaic Danish "kvadron", a term used to signify persons of "quarter" race, and refers to the fact that both musicians have a biracial parent.[7][6] Coco O. was the duo's singer and moved to Los Angeles after the release of their debut album.[8] Her voice was referred to by Pitchfork as "sweetly soulful."[9]

Solo work

[edit]

Jay-Z selected Coco O. to contribute the song "Where the Wind Blows" to the soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby.[6] She has also worked with Pharrell Williams and provided featured vocals for Tyler, the Creator, Vulfpeck and Joey Dosik.[3][10][11]

In 2015 she released her first solo single, "Hardest Thing."[9] Coco O. moved back to Denmark in 2018 and released her debut solo project Dolceacqua on 25 May 2018.[12] The two-song EP has a bossa nova sound.[13] The album was written for an ex-boyfriend and named after the small Italian village where they fell in love.[1] ColorsxStudios described it as "featuring mellow, acoustic guitar accompanied by rich, cinematic strings" and noted the sound is a departure from her previous work with Quadron.[14]

On 30 April 2021 she released her first solo album It's a Process.[15] Zo of Okayplayer heralded the album as "a stunningly intimate showcase of the singer’s voice across a range of compositions pulling from all eras of r&b and soul."[16]

Other ventures

[edit]

Coco O. appeared as a contestant on dancing competition TV series Vild med dans in 2019. She and her partner Morten Kjeldgaard finished in second place.[17]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
DEN
[18]
It's a Process 27

EPs

[edit]
Title EP details
Dolceaqua
  • Release: 25 May 2018
  • Label: Coco O. Productions
  • Format: Digital download
  • Tracklist:
    • "Bled for You"
    • "A Minor Detail"
Eternal, Pt. I
  • Release: 26 October 2018
  • Label: Coco O. Productions
  • Format: Digital download
  • Tracklist:
    • "1000 Times
    • "Know It"
    • "Hardest Thing"

with Quadron

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
DEN
[21] 		US
[22]
Quadron 31 —
Avalanche
  • Released: 31 May 2013
  • Label: Vested In Culture, Epic, Sony Music
  • Formats: Digital download, CD, LP
 3 115
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Other appearances

[edit]
List of other appearances
Title Year Album
"Løb Stop Stå" (Boom Clap Bachelors feat. Coco O.) 2011 Mellem Dine Læber
"Hey There Lonely Boy" (The Decoders feat. Coco O.) Non-album single
"Visions" (The Internet (band) feat. Coco O.) Purple Naked Ladies
"Ode to a Dream" (The Internet feat. Kilo Kish and Coco O.)
"Skykvinden" (Grønflammeskoven feat. Coco O.) Grønflammeskoven (Lyfbilledbog Soundtrack)
"Hos Mig Igen" (When Saints Go Machine feat. Coco O.) 2012 Non-album single
"Where the Wind Blows" 2013 The Great Gatsby: Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film
"Treehome95" (Tyler the Creator feat. Coco O. and Erykah Badu) Wolf
"Through the Night" (Cedric Gervais feat. Coco O.) 2014 Non-album single
"Looking for Lovin'" (Dragonborn feat. Coco O.) Part Of Something Bigger
"Keep Da O's" (Tyler the Creator feat. Pharrell Williams and Coco O.) 2015 Cherry Bomb
"Afterglow" (Mads Langer feat. Coco O.) 2016 Reckless Twin
"Credo, Pt. II" (August Rosenbaum feat. Coco O.) 2017 Non-album single
"Credo, Pt. II" (Live) (August Rosenbaum feat. Coco O.)
"Business Casual" (Vulfpeck feat. Coco O.) Mr Finish Line
"Kerosene" (Phlake feat. Coco O.) Weird Invitations
"Slow Afternoon" (The Late Great Fitzcarraldos feat. Coco O.) You
"Don't Want It to Be Over" (Joey Dosik feat. Coco O.) 2018 Inside Voice
"Red Dragon" (CTM feat. Coco O.) Red Dragon
"Home" (Dragonborn feat. Coco O.) Ride Upon the Storm

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Coco O.

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from Grokipedia
Cecilie Maja Hastrup Karshøj (born August 11, 1987), known professionally as Coco O., is a Danish , producer, and model best recognized as the of the electronic soul duo Quadron. Born and raised in , she was introduced to collaborator as a teenager through a mutual friend who noted their shared passion for 1970s , leading to the formation of Quadron in 2009. The duo's self-titled debut album, released that year, garnered attention from high-profile figures including and , blending soul, electronic, and Scandinavian influences into a distinctive sound. Quadron's follow-up album, (2013), was released under and featured contributions to the The Great Gatsby soundtrack, solidifying their international presence. After nearly a decade with the group, including a relocation to , Coco O. parted ways with Quadron and the major label system, returning to to pursue a solo career focused on creative independence. Her solo debut EP, Dolceacqua (2018), drew from personal experiences like a and a trip to Italy, incorporating bossa nova elements alongside her signature breathy, soulful vocals. This was followed by her full-length album It's a Process (2021), a self-produced and self-funded project that took seven years to complete, exploring R&B, soul, jazz, pop, and electronic genres, and the EP Sharing Is Caring (2023). Coco O.'s work extends beyond music through modeling and production, with her vocals sampled by artists like Drake on his 2021 track "Lemon Pepper Freestyle." Influenced by figures such as and , she discovered her singing talent during a school performance of a Bill Withers song in her youth, growing up in a family with artistic grandparents and a father of partial Tanzanian heritage. Her career emphasizes artistic autonomy, particularly for women in the industry, sustained through streaming, live performances, and licensing deals with entities like .

Early life

Childhood and family background

Cecilie Maja Hastrup Karshøj, professionally known as Coco O., was born on August 11, 1987, in , Denmark. She was raised in , immersed in a Danish cultural environment shaped by her 's heritage. Coco O.'s background includes multicultural elements, as her father is biracial with Tanzanian descent, which contributed to her diverse upbringing in the city.

Initial musical influences and education

Coco O., born Cecilie Maja Hastrup Karshøj in , , developed an early passion for music influenced by classic soul and R&B artists. From a young age, she was captivated by , whom she saw perform live in in 1997, describing him as her first musical crush and aspiring to emulate his trajectory as a child star with raw talent. Her influences also included , whose album impressed her with its blend of angelic vocals, rap prowess, and socially conscious lyrics, as well as George Michael's emotive ballad "," which resonated with her through its themes of love and loss. Additionally, she drew from 1970s soul music, a genre she and her future collaborator embraced despite its limited popularity in their hometown. These artists shaped her appreciation for soulful expression, R&B rhythms, and emotional depth in performance. Her musical education began informally through a creative school in , where band classes were integrated from the early years, allowing students to experiment with instruments rather than focusing on theoretical study. In these classes, Coco O. gravitated toward the microphone, honing her vocal skills and enjoying the act of performing, which she had aspired to since elementary school. A pivotal early came in 6th or 7th grade during a school performance, where she sang a verse from a Bill Withers song and first felt the transformative power of live singing, noting how the room's energy shifted in response. This hands-on environment, supported subtly by her artistic grandparents who fostered a creative household, encouraged her self-taught approach to vocal techniques without formal conservatory training. By her mid-teens, around age 15 to 17, Coco O. was actively pursuing music in Copenhagen's local scene, participating in informal settings that built her confidence before professional opportunities arose. Her focus remained on vocals, experimenting with and R&B styles that would later define her sound, while navigating a where such genres were niche. This period of self-directed learning and early exposure laid the groundwork for her entry into collaborative work, emphasizing performance as her primary outlet.

Career

Formation and work with Quadron

Coco O. met producer and multi-instrumentalist in around 2005, introduced by a mutual friend at a record store where Hannibal worked. Both natives of with a deep affinity for 1970s soul artists like and , they quickly began collaborating, forming the electronic duo Quadron shortly thereafter—the name derived from "," reflecting the duo's multi-racial backgrounds. Their partnership emphasized a blend of O.'s emotive vocals and lyrical introspection with Hannibal's intricate production, fostering a sound that bridged neo-soul, R&B, and electronic elements. The duo's self-titled debut album, Quadron, was released on July 27, 2009, via the Danish label At:tack Release, followed by an international edition on Plug Research in March 2010. Recorded in a basement studio in Copenhagen, the album showcased O.'s influences from artists like Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu through tracks such as the introspective lead single "Slippin'," which highlighted her velvety delivery over Hannibal's lush, retro-futuristic beats. Critics praised its fresh take on soul, with Paste magazine selecting it as "Best of What's Next" in August 2010 and New York magazine naming it one of the best debuts of the year. Commercially, it achieved modest success in Denmark, marking a promising entry into the music scene. Buoyed by growing international interest, Quadron relocated to in 2011 to expand their creative scope. There, they self-produced their sophomore album , released on May 31, 2013, through the independent imprint Vested in Culture in partnership with . The recording process involved intensive experimentation in a home studio, allowing the duo to refine their sound with more polished synths and live instrumentation while maintaining emotional depth. "Hey Love" peaked at number 8 on the Danish Singles Chart and earned certification for over 15,000 units sold, while follow-up "LFT" (short for "Leaving for the Country") emphasized O.'s vulnerable lyricism on love and longing. Avalanche debuted at number 3 on the Danish Albums Chart and was certified for 20,000 units sold domestically, and featured the track "," included on the soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann's 2013 film , produced by . To support the release, Quadron toured extensively across and , performing at venues like the and sharing stages with artists in the soul and indie circuits. O.'s role in Quadron centered on delivering soul-stirring vocals and crafting poignant that explored themes of romance, , and self-discovery, often drawing from personal experiences. Hannibal complemented this with his expertise in arrangement and production, incorporating vintage samples and modern electronics to create immersive, atmospheric tracks. Their dynamic was marked by close collaboration, with decisions made through ongoing to ensure artistic balance, though the intensity of touring and production sometimes strained their process. The duo's efforts culminated in accolades at the 2013 Danish Music Awards, where they secured three wins, including Producer of the Year for and New Danish Name of the Year for the group. Around 2014, following Avalanche's promotion, Quadron entered an indefinite hiatus to allow O. and Hannibal to explore solo ventures, citing a desire for individual growth after years of intensive partnership.

Transition to solo career

Following the release of Quadron's second album in 2013, Coco O. parted ways with collaborator in 2014, marking the end of the duo after five years of joint work. She spent the subsequent period in , where she contributed guest vocals to projects including Tyler, the Creator's albums (2013), Cherry Bomb (2015), and others, which helped sustain her visibility while she explored independent artistry. This phase represented an initial shift toward solo endeavors, though she described feeling directionless without the duo's dynamic structure. In 2015, Coco O. released her debut solo single, "Hardest Thing," a melancholic soul ballad reflecting on lost love and regret, produced with minimalistic arrangements that highlighted her velvety vocals reminiscent of Quadron's intimate style. The track received positive early reception for its emotional depth and dreamy production, with critics noting its potential as a standalone piece amid her transitional period. Challenges emerged as she grappled with redefining her sound independently, including a sense of creative dependency on producers and an "uninspired" phase after leaving the collaborative safety of Quadron. To address this, she began self-producing, emphasizing personal intuition over external expectations. By 2017, Coco O. returned to , seeking reconnection with her roots to fuel her artistic growth. This move facilitated her first full solo EP, , released on May 25, 2018, featuring two tracks—"Bled for You" and "A Minor Detail"—infused with influences drawn from travels and heartbreak themes of vulnerability and healing. Self-produced, the EP showcased her evolving independence through lush, introspective soundscapes recorded partly abroad. Early live milestones included a solo performance at the 2017 Copenhagen Jazz Festival, where she debuted material emphasizing her powerhouse voice and string arrangements, building confidence for future self-led shows. Initial feedback praised the EP's moody elegance and her command of subtle genres, establishing it as a pivotal step in her solo identity. In 2021, Coco O. released her debut full-length solo album It's a Process, a self-produced and self-funded project that took seven years to complete, exploring R&B, , pop, and electronic genres. Her vocals were sampled by Drake on his 2021 track "Lemon Pepper Freestyle." Subsequent singles included "Many Ways" and "Morning Dew" in 2023, and "KOALA" in 2024. As of 2025, she released the project Sharing Is Caring.

Key collaborations and contributions

One of Coco O.'s early significant contributions outside her duo work was her original song "," selected by for the soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann's 2013 film . The track, a soulful reimagining blending electronic elements with vintage jazz influences, marked her introduction to a broader international audience through the film's high-profile release, which featured collaborations from artists like , , and . In the mid-2010s, Coco O. made notable guest appearances on Tyler, the Creator's albums, providing ethereal vocals that complemented the rapper's experimental production. On Wolf (2013), she featured on "Treehome95" alongside Erykah Badu, delivering introspective, jazz-infused elements that explored themes of introspection and escape. On Cherry Bomb (2015), she featured alongside Pharrell Williams on "KEEP DA O'S," a funky, brass-heavy track where her layered harmonies added a dreamy contrast to the chaotic energy, recorded during sessions that highlighted Tyler's admiration for her Quadron-era sound. Post-2017, Coco O. deepened ties with Danish producers, notably August Rosenbaum, with whom she had toured as Quadron's musical director. Their joint single "Credo, Pt. II" (2017) showcased her lead vocals over Rosenbaum's piano-driven composition, evolving into a full gospel-soul arrangement that reflected their shared live performance history. This partnership continued with "Seconds" from Rosenbaum's 2022 album Songs People Together, where Coco O. co-wrote and provided vocals, emphasizing themes of familial bonds and fleeting time in a minimalist electronic framework. Additional features expanded her footprint in funk and R&B circles, including "Business Casual" on Vulfpeck's Mr Finish Line (2017), where her ad-libs enhanced the band's retro groove, and "Don't Want It to Be Over" on Joey Dosik's Inside Voice (2018), contributing soulful harmonies to a nostalgic . These interdependent projects, spanning soundtracks, hip-hop features, and producer collaborations, not only diversified her vocal palette but also propelled her global reach beyond , influencing the introspective evolution of her solo artistry.

Musical style and artistry

Evolving sound and genres

Coco O.'s early work with the Danish duo Quadron established a foundation in electronic , blending R&B, , and pop elements through lush, multi-layered production that emphasized rhythms and sensual melodies. The duo's sound drew on influences, incorporating hand-played instruments alongside electronic textures to create a retro yet forward-looking aesthetic, as heard in albums like . Transitioning to her solo career around 2018, Coco O. shifted toward and , introducing more experimental elements such as grooves and indie electronic flourishes that allowed for greater personal expression in her vocal delivery. This evolution marked a departure from Quadron's collaborative density, favoring sparser arrangements that highlighted her emotive phrasing, often supported by synth-driven instrumentation and occasional live drums for organic warmth. In her recent releases from 2021 to 2023, including the albums It's a Process and Sharing Is Caring, Coco O. delved deeper into electronic sounds, employing minimalist production techniques like layered vocals and reduced soundscapes to evoke . These works incorporate subtle electronic coolness alongside soulful R&B foundations, using synths and piano for atmospheric depth while maintaining a focus on heartfelt, heavenly soul motifs.

Themes and songwriting approach

Coco O.'s music frequently explores core themes of , vulnerability, self-discovery, and , evident across her work with Quadron and in her solo releases. In Quadron's songs, such as "," she delves into emotional depth through empathetic portrayals of isolation and longing, exemplified by lyrics like "Ending every day in idol bed sheets, / Cuddling the hero he will never meet," which metaphorically capture unfulfilled desires and personal introspection. These motifs extend to tracks like "LFT," where nighttime escapades with friends highlight in seeking connection beyond conventional romance. Her songwriting has evolved from collaborative duo efforts in Quadron to more introspective solo narratives in the 2020s, reflecting a shift toward personal emotional processing. During her time with Quadron, co-writing with involved multi-part structures that allowed for layered storytelling, often drawing on 1960s-1980s R&B influences to craft enduring, emotionally resonant pieces. In her solo era, following her return to , O. embraced greater creative control, using songwriting as a therapeutic outlet for heartbreak and self-examination, as seen in her 2018 EP , inspired by a painful during travels in . O.'s lyrical approach employs poetic, metaphorical to convey nuance, often blending vivid with raw sentiment, while primarily writing in English despite her Danish roots. This style shines in solo works like "" (2021), where metaphors of solitary struggle and resistance—"Sorry, solitary , oh / Beware of all the lies they've told ya"—illustrate themes of and overcoming . Her process incorporates , honed through live performances, and emphasizes emotional release to maintain artistic flow, viewing continuous creation as essential for personal well-being.

Personal life and other ventures

Relationships and privacy

Coco O. has maintained a deliberate distance from public discussions of her romantic life, consistently prioritizing her artistic expression over personal revelations. In a , she shared that her EP drew inspiration from a transformative trip to the Italian village of with her then-boyfriend around 2017, where the couple experienced a profound connection that ultimately ended in heartbreak. The project served as a therapeutic outlet for processing the breakup, with tracks like "Bled for You" capturing raw emotion through soulful melodies and strings, though she refrained from naming her partner or elaborating on the timeline beyond its influence on her solo transition. This period of personal upheaval coincided with her relocation back to in 2017 after years in , a decision she described as seeking a more grounded, supportive environment that aligned with her need for creative autonomy and simplicity away from industry pressures. facilitated a slower pace in her output, including extended breaks between releases, allowing her to balance artistry with personal stability without the intrusion of media attention. Throughout her career, Coco O. has articulated a strong aversion to tabloid-style exposure, viewing it as a distraction from her music's essence. In various discussions, she has emphasized channeling intimate experiences—such as relational shifts—into abstract lyrical themes rather than literal narratives, underscoring her commitment to as a safeguard for authentic self-expression. No further romantic partnerships have been publicly acknowledged post-2018, and she has not shared details about expansions like motherhood, reinforcing her boundary between public and .

Non-musical activities and advocacy

Beyond her musical endeavors, Coco O. has engaged in fashion-related activities, particularly through performances at prominent events in Denmark's vibrant scene. In 2021, she contributed to the closing of Fashion Week by performing at Ganni's virtual concert, blending her soulful sound with the brand's aesthetic. More recently, she is slated to perform at a dinner hosted by By Malene Birger during Spring 2026 Fashion Week, complementing the brand's Italian-inspired campaign launch. Coco O. has also pursued low-key modeling opportunities earlier in her career, leveraging her distinctive presence in visual contexts tied to creative expression. Prior to fully committing to , she worked as a , an experience that informed her grounded approach to artistry and personal growth. In terms of advocacy, Coco O. has been vocal about , particularly empowering female artists to assert creative in a male-dominated industry. Following a period of creative hiatus around 2018–2020 after Quadron's activities wound down, she self-produced her 2021 album It's a Process, emphasizing independence as a key message for : "It’s been really important for me to kind of take over that control – especially as a where it is always expected for you to have someone behind you." This post-2020 initiative extended to her single "," released in 2021, where she confronts toxic and the broader fight for through introspective lyrics. In 2025, she joined the "No Music for " campaign, geo-blocking her in in protest of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Her efforts highlight a commitment to fostering among women, tying personal themes of resilience into public discourse without formal affiliations to specific organizations.

Legacy and impact

Critical reception and awards

Coco O.'s work with Quadron garnered significant critical acclaim for its innovative blend of electronic soul and neo-soul, with reviewers praising her elastic vocals and the duo's meticulous production. Pitchfork awarded their 2013 album Avalanche a 7.0 out of 10, highlighting Coco O.'s "elastic voice, sometimes chirpy and sometimes soulful" that evoked the "jazzy effortlessness of Amy Winehouse circa Frank" while noting the album's "airtight and carefully virtuosic" sound appealing to fans of Prince and Pharrell. The Guardian echoed this, describing Quadron as a "smooth operator" whose music offered "lots to like" in its polished pop elements, though it critiqued the occasional "schlocky FM-lite" vibe. Overall, Avalanche received positive aggregation on Metacritic, solidifying Quadron's reputation for vocal versatility and genre fusion during their duo era. In terms of awards, Quadron achieved notable recognition at the 2013 Danish Music Awards (DMA), winning three honors: Best New Danish Band, Best Danish Pop Release for Avalanche, and Best Danish Video for "Hey Love." These victories marked a high point for the duo, reflecting their breakthrough from underground acclaim to industry acknowledgment in , though they received no major international nods like Grammy nominations. Coco O.'s solo has seen fewer formal awards but steady nods in Nordic polls and juries, including contributions to DMA-nominated projects post-Quadron. The reception of Coco O.'s output has evolved from the intimate, experimental buzz of Quadron's early work to broader mainstream appreciation in her solo phase, particularly after 2021's It's a Process. Critics lauded the debut solo album as a "stunningly intimate showcase" of her voice across soulful compositions, with Scandinavian Soul emphasizing its emotional depth and standouts like the ballad "Arms." Her 2023 follow-up Sharing is Caring continued this trajectory, earning praise for its "heavenly soul music" and nostalgic R&B layers. Commercially, Avalanche peaked at number 3 on the Danish Albums Chart and sold over 10,000 copies domestically, while Coco O.'s solo tracks like "Hardest Thing" have amassed nearly 4 million Spotify streams, contributing to her 87,000 monthly listeners as of late 2025. Areas of critique in her experimental solo phases include challenges with accessibility, where the introspective style sometimes distances listeners seeking more immediate hooks.

Influence on contemporary music

Coco O.'s tenure with the Danish duo Quadron significantly shaped the alternative R&B landscape by infusing electronic production with soulful, introspective vocals, offering a European counterpoint to dominant American styles. Their debut album Quadron (2009) and follow-up Avalanche (2013) were praised for revitalizing the soul scene with innovative genre-blending, earning endorsements from alternative hip-hop and R&B circles that amplified underground buzz tracks like "Hey Love." This fusion of electronic soul and pop elements in Quadron's work prefigured 2010s-2020s trends in the streaming era, where artists increasingly merged R&B with ambient and experimental sounds for broader accessibility. Coco O.'s sensual, throwback R&B delivery, as heard on tracks like "," influenced subsequent explorations, with Quadron's sound sampled by Drake in his 2021 track "Lemon Pepper Freestyle," bridging indie roots to mainstream hip-hop. In , Coco O. has bolstered Copenhagen's vibrant music community since returning there in 2017, fostering local electronic and soul scenes through collaborations with producers like August Rosenbaum on projects such as his 2017 single "Credo, Pt. II." Her solo endeavors, including the self-produced EP (2018) and album It's a Process (2021), exemplify independent artistry that inspires emerging Danish acts in , with parallels seen in duos like navigating similar electronic-soul hybrids. Coco O.'s global footprint expanded via Quadron's 2013 U.S. tours and cross-cultural partnerships, including features with and , cultivating a dedicated fanbase across and . Her songwriting contributions, such as co-authoring "Including Me" on The Internet's 2015 album , further disseminated her stylistic influence into international alternative R&B networks. As of 2025, Coco O.'s legacy endures through reissues of Quadron's catalog and her ongoing solo output, like the 2023 EP Sharing is Caring, which underscores her role in sustaining genre-blending traditions amid evolving digital platforms. Her advocacy for women assuming creative control in production continues to resonate, positioning her as a mentor figure for independent artists navigating label dynamics.

Discography

Solo studio albums

Coco O.'s solo studio albums mark her transition to independent artistry following her return to in 2018, emphasizing a DIY approach where she took greater creative control over production and curation. Recorded primarily in Danish studios, her work reflects an introspective evolution, blending with elements and personal involvement in artwork design. This shift allowed for intimate explorations of relationships and self-discovery, distinguishing her solo output from earlier collaborations. Her debut solo studio album, It's a Process, was released on , , via Coco O. Productions, with physical editions distributed by Sony Music . Spanning 13 tracks, the album features co-production by Coco O. (credited as Coco Karshøj) and August Rosenbaum on several songs, including "Sorry," alongside contributions from musicians like Silas Moldenhawer and Jonathan Bremer on engineering. Themes center on and relational dynamics, capturing the emotional turbulence of through autobiographical reflections on , anxiety, and growth, as heard in highlights like the "," which addresses resilience in vulnerability, and "Anxiety in Italy," evoking personal turmoil. Artwork and design were handled by Alexis Mark, with photography by Katrine Winblad, enhancing the album's raw, personal aesthetic. Critics praised it as a "stunningly intimate showcase" of her across diverse compositions, highlighting its role as a therapeutic record that resonated amid global isolation. Sharing is Caring, her second solo studio album, arrived on September 15, 2023, continuing her collaborative partnership with producer , who co-composed, co-wrote lyrics, and handled instrumentation across the project, with mixing and mastering by Jesper Vivid Vestergaard. The 9-track effort delves into emotional depth, exploring themes of connection and care through heavenly soul-infused soundscapes that evoke nostalgia, exemplified in singles like "Many Ways" and "Low Key Let Go," which underscore vulnerability and relational healing. Recorded in , it builds on her DIY , with Coco O. deeply involved in the creative process to foster a sense of shared intimacy. Reception noted its exquisite, fall-season vibe and the strong between and , positioning it as a testament to personal evolution post-pandemic reflection. As of late 2025, no reissues or dedicated tours for the album have been announced, though it supports her ongoing live performances.

Solo EPs and singles

Coco O.'s solo career began with tentative forays into standalone releases during a hiatus from her work with Quadron, allowing her to explore personal themes of and outside the duo's collaborative framework. Her debut solo single, "Hardest Thing," released on September 13, 2015, marked this transition with its dreamy balladry, lamenting lost chances in romance over balmy instrumentation. In 2018, following her return to , Coco O. issued two interconnected projects that further established her independent voice amid the gap before her first full-length album. The EP, released on May 25, 2018, comprises two tracks—"Bled for You" and "A Minor Detail"—infused with a influence inspired by a formative trip to the Italian village of the same name, emphasizing emotional vulnerability and subtle grooves. Later that year, Eternal, Pt. I emerged as a three-track digital single/EP on October 26, 2018, featuring "1000 Times," "Know It," and a reissued version of "Hardest Thing," blending neo-soul introspection with experimental production to preview her evolving sound. These early EPs and singles served as creative bridges during career transitions, enabling experimentation with intimate, genre-blending styles that would inform her subsequent without committing to full-length narratives. No additional non- solo releases followed immediately after her 2021 debut , though promotional singles tied to later works maintained her visibility.
Release TitleFormatRelease DateTracksLabel/Platform Notes
Hardest ThingSingleSeptember 13, 20151 ("Hardest Thing")Independent digital release; initial solo outing post-Quadron.
EPMay 25, 20182 ("Bled for You," "A Minor Detail")Self-released; bossa nova-inspired, named after Italian village.
Eternal, Pt. ISingle/EPOctober 26, 20183 ("1000 Times," "Know It," "Hardest Thing" [reissue])Digital platforms like and ; bridges early solo phase.

Work with Quadron

Coco O. served as the lead vocalist and co-songwriter for Quadron, the electronic soul duo she formed with producer Shuko (Robin Hannibal), contributing her distinctive, emotive delivery to all of the group's releases. Her lyrics and performances helped define the duo's blend of R&B, soul, and downtempo electronics across their discography. The duo's debut studio album, Quadron, was released in 2009 on Plug Research, featuring 10 tracks including "Slippin'," "Pressure," and "Average Fruit," where Coco O.'s airy yet soulful vocals anchored the introspective themes. Their sophomore effort, Avalanche, arrived in 2013 via Vested in Culture and Epic Records, with 11 songs such as "Hey Love," "LFT," and "Favorite Star," highlighting her growth in crafting vulnerable, narrative-driven pieces amid lush production. Quadron issued several singles to promote their albums, often in digital and limited physical formats. Notable releases include "Slippin'" (2009, digital single, Plug Research), "" (2010, digital single with remix EP follow-up), "Hey Love" (2011, digital and 7-inch vinyl, Vested in Culture), and "LFT" (2011, digital single, Vested in Culture), the latter included on the The Great Gatsby in 2013. The group also produced remix-focused EPs and compilations, emphasizing Coco O.'s vocal adaptability in reimagined contexts. These include Pressure - Remixes (2010, digital EP, Plug Research), Average Fruit Remixes (2011, digital, Vested in Culture), and Hey Love (Remixes) (2013, digital EP, Vested in Culture). After entering a hiatus following Avalanche, Quadron resumed activity in 2025 with the digital single "Velvet Nights" (October 2025, ), Coco O.'s first recorded output with the duo in 12 years, evoking their signature atmospheric soul. They also appeared as featured artists on GAPAHUK's "Average Fruit" (July 2025, digital single, Gapahuk Records), a track that remixes one of their early songs and underscores her enduring vocal presence in the duo's sound.

Guest appearances and soundtracks

Coco O. has made notable guest appearances on several high-profile albums, contributing her distinctive vocals to tracks by prominent artists in alternative R&B, hip-hop, and funk genres. In 2013, she featured on Tyler, the Creator's album Wolf, providing backing and lead vocals alongside Erykah Badu on the track "Treehome95," which blends psychedelic rap with soulful harmonies. The following year, on Tyler, the Creator's Cherry Bomb (2015), Coco O. collaborated with Pharrell Williams on "KEEP DA O'S," delivering ethereal ad-libs that complement the album's experimental production. Expanding into Danish and international scenes, Coco O. appeared on Phlake's debut album Weird Invitations (2017), where she sang the chorus on "," a sultry R&B track exploring themes of desire and volatility. That same year, she contributed to 's Mr Finish Line, featuring on "," a funky, upbeat number that highlights her smooth, jazz-inflected delivery. In 2018, Coco O. joined on his album Inside Voice, co-vocalizing on "Don't Want It to Be Over," a soulful reflecting on fleeting relationships, produced with contributions from Vulfpeck affiliates. In 2024, Coco O. featured on FRANK LEONE's track "" from the album , a collaborative soul piece blending her vocals with indie production. These features underscore her versatility in blending her alternative soul style with diverse collaborators. Regarding soundtracks, Coco O., as part of Quadron, contributed "Where the Wind Blows" to The Great Gatsby: Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film (2013), a jazz-infused cover that evokes the era's glamour and was featured in the film's . On the solo front, her track "1000 Times" appeared in the Danish TV series (2019), enhancing a pivotal episode with its introspective and minimalistic . No major guest appearances or soundtrack placements for Coco O. have been documented between 2023 and 2025, though her work continues to influence compilations and remixes in the space.

References

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