When Omar Rudberg released ‘Every Night Fantasy’ last October, it wasn’t just a new project — it was a declaration of who he’d become.
The Venezuelan-Swedish artist, once known as Simon from Netflix’s Young Royals and for his early days in the boy band FO&O, stepped into a new era — that of a global pop force fluent in emotion, identity, and melody. One year on, the eight-track EP — sleek, bilingual, and unapologetically authentic — has evolved into a cult favourite, transforming the ‘I’m Not a Boy’ singer’s fantasy into a worldwide reality.
Steeped in 80s synths, dark brooding beats, and emotive melodies, the extended play pulsed with vulnerability (‘Wrong’), sensuality (‘Sabotage’), and queer desire (‘Girlfriend’), establishing Rudberg as a voice redefining what modern pop can look, and sound like. “I love music; I love singing, so I just do it. I am who I am,” he told Q+ Magazine — and the EP made good on that promise.
The success came fast. ‘Every Night Fantasy’ racked up millions of streams within weeks and sold out his debut headline tour across Europe and the U.S. From London to Los Angeles, fans turned venues into electric safe spaces — waving pride flags, belting lyrics in both Spanish and English, and meeting Rudberg’s raw charisma with tears and screams.
Critics caught on, too. Redbrick praised his “impressive higher vocal register” and called him “ready to compete with mainstream chart-topping artists”. Paper spotlighted his fluid artistry, describing the project as “a bold blend of vulnerability and control”. Whilst on TikTok and Reddit, fans dissected every lyric and performance, transforming songs like ‘Lose Me’ into culture defining heartbreak anthems.
OMAR RUDBERG — GIRLFRIEND (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
But beneath the polish lies a deeper story: a young artist carving out space in pop on his own terms. Rudberg’s Latin roots shine in his Spanish versions (‘Luz Roja’), his queerness isn’t coded, and his evolution from teen idol to solo star feels earned, not manufactured.
Now, as he hints at a full-length album, Rudberg’s studio grind continues. If ‘Every Night Fantasy’ was the dream, what’s next might be the awakening.
Speaking at the time of the projects release, Omar said: “This EP is a sonic exploration of love’s many phases — from finding the courage to move on to getting lost in passionate fantasies, navigating the aftermath of a breakup, and yearning for freedom after a toxic relationship. Creating this music was an intense, introspective process; I spent countless hours in the studio, exploring new sides of myself and crafting songs that reflect my deepest thoughts and feelings about love, heartbreak, and the fantasies born from a desire to feel liberated.”
Twelve months on, one thing is clear: ‘Every Night Fantasy’ wasn’t just an EP — it was a striking reflection on identity, self-love, and independence, heralding the rise of Omar Rudberg as the new ruler of Planet Pop.
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