New Audio: School of X Shares Breezy, Deceptively Sunny “Exist”

Rasmus Littauer is a Copenhagen-based producer, singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and creative mastermind of indie pop project School of X. School of X derives its name from Ekskole, Copenhagen’s anti-establishment, experimental art school. which featured Warhol collaborator Jørgen Leth, art historian Troels Anderson and artists Poul Gernes and Per Kirkeby. “It was about learning from each other and being progressive,” Littauer explains. “There were no labels — anyone could join. That philosophy is so cool and I really admire all those artists.” 

Inspired by Ekskole’s ethos, Littauer created a collective with a similar ethos: Over the past decade, the Copenhagen-based artist has worked with Liss, MØ, Clairo, Deb Never as a producer, songwriter or musician — and as School of X, Littauer has collaborated with Half Waif’s and Empress Of‘s Spencer Zahn, Hinds‘ Anna Perrote, Lord Siva. Soleima and JOVM mainstay Trentemøller.

He also runs a studio in Copenhagen’s Nørrebro District with friend, collaborator and fellow producer Vera.

The Danish artist’s fifth album, 2024’s Seventh Heaven was released to widespread critical praise. Building upon a growing national and international profile, Littauer’s self-titled, sixth album is slated for a January 8, 2027 release through No3. The album will include the perviously released “Not Enough Time,” and the album’s second and latest single “Exist.” “Exist” is a breezy tune, anchored around a hooky acoustic guitar-driven arrangement paired with Littauer’s sunny, downright bright delivery. But at its core, the song’s optimism is actually deceptive as the song’s narrator openly talks about suffering from regret and delusions — with both an unvarnished honesty and the hope of being able to change. ‘

“It’s a song about suffering from delusions and the anxiety that inevitably comes with them, while doing everything you can to function in the world,” Littauer explains. “For me, it has been about feeling persecuted. At times, it it became so extreme, that I thought it would kill me. That’s also why ’Exist’ is a small miracle, because I wrote it at a time when I was at my lowest.”

“Love and family are what ultimately prevail. People who lift you up and can be a source of pure life energy, giving you a new perspective on how to find your way back and move forward,” Littauer says.

____

The Joy of Violent Movement is a completely independent and completely D.I.Y. media outlet. Over the course of this site’s 16 year history, I’ve used my fiercely independent stance to cover music with an eclectic and global perspective that a lot of other publications just don’t have — and will likely never have. 

To that end, I could use your support to continue to keep bringing you my unique global perspective on music. There are a number of ways that you can support this work. 

I’ve been told that some people would prefer to make a one-time donation because it’s easy and less of an obligation. So, if you’re able to make a one-time donation, there’s a donation box below.

If you can give more regularly, please feel free to check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement. 

Anything you can give is very much appreciated. It can and does make a real difference, y’all. 

I know that a lot of folks are struggling to make ends meet in an uncertain and tumultuous economic climate. So there are other, non-financial ways in which you can support this work. 

You can follow me on the following social platforms:

X/Twitter: @yankee32879 and @joyofviolent 

Instagram: @william_ruben_helms

Threads: @william_ruben_helms

Bluesky: @williamrubenhelms.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

As always, if there are posts that you dig, share them with your friends. The more eyeballs on my work, the better.