Johan Carøe

Johan Carøe is a versatile film composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, known for his eclectic collaborations with a diverse range of artists, including Sofie Birch, Angelo Badalamenti, AAAA, Arp, Blue Lake, and HVAD. His work spans a wide spectrum, from delicate string and synth minimalism to expansive, maximalist ambient, blending classical instruments, noise, and synthesis.

One of his most notable partnerships has been with Sofie Birch, with whom he co-created the highly praised Repair Techniques LP. The album, lauded for its subtlety and atmospheric depth, has been described as “one of those rare albums that impresses with minimal gestures,” drawing influences from Japanese new age music, Visible Cloaks, and early Oneohtrix Point Never, while creating a distinct, humid sonic landscape.

In 2022, Carøe and Birch were nominated for Composers of the Year by the Danish Music Critics Society for Repair Techniques. That same year, Carøe composed the score for Miss Osaka, Daniel Dencik’s 2021 feature film, in collaboration with Kwamie Liv and the legendary Yasuaki Shimizu. The film’s soundtrack earned a nomination for Best Score from the Danish Film Academy in 2022, and Carøe and his co-composers also received a nomination for the prestigious Carl Prisen.

Carøe’s work in documentary filmmaking includes scoring the opening film at CPH:DOX 2021, 70/30, which chronicles the creation of one of the world’s most ambitious climate laws. His previous film credits include co-composing the soundtrack for Gold Coast with Angelo Badalamenti and Weltschmerz, which won Best Original Music at the 2018 Ekko Shortlist Awards.

Selected credits

Vægtløs ( 2025)
Snowglobe | Feature Film
Dir. Emilie Thalund

G-21 Scenes from Gottsunda ( 2024)
LTD story /Monolit | Feature Doc
Dir. Loran Batti

Dark Horse ( 2024)
Monolit | TV-Series
Creator. Sara Isabella Jønsson Vedde

Den Store Stilhed ( 2022)
Monolit | Feature Film
Dir. Katrine Brocks

Organiseret Vildskab ( 2022)
Hansen & Pedersen | Feature Doc
Dir. Phie Ambo

Natten Har Øjne ( 2022)
Nordisk Film | Feature Film
Dir. Gabriel Bier Gislason

Se Mig Som Jeg Er ( 2022)
Elk Film | Feature Doc
Dir. Louise Leth

70/30 ( 2021)
Hansen & Pedersen | Feature Doc
Dir. Phie Ambo

Genopdagelsen ( 2019)
Hansen & Pedersen | Feature Doc
Dir. Phie Ambo

Weltschmerz ( 2017)
The National Film School of Denmark | Short
Dir. Jesper Dalgaard

When You Look Away ( 2017)
Hansen & Pedersen | Feature Doc
Dir. Phie Ambo

Übermensch ( 2017)
The National Film School of Denmark | Feature Doc
Dir. Jesper Dalgaard

Tsunami ( 2015)
VIA | Short
Dir. Sofie Kampmark

Guldkysten ( 2015)
Haslund Film | Feature Film
Dir. Daniel Dencik

Discography

The Great Silence (2024)

The Enormous Room (m.Arp & Meara O’Reilly 2023)

Stretching Pools (m.AAAA 2022)

Repair Techniques (m.Sofie Birch 2021)

Wyla (2021)

Lovesongs (2020)

Zenmetal (2019