This is the new Sambassadeur video, filmed by label mate Philip Ekström of The Mary Onettes and staring Ekström’s eight-year-old nephew Mattis. “I Can Try” is your standard Sambassadeur tune; the band consistently produces great Swedish pop music in the vein of their prior work, each new single slightly better than the last. And each new single is unbearably catchy, yet contains a hint of sadness. The video is an interesting one, reminiscent of a lonely childhood filled with unique realities and a world view much too mature for a young boy. As Mattis sends his wooden boat into the water, and as he swings his sword, fighting invisible battles to save made up princesses, it makes me feel a bit nostalgic.

“I Can Try” is off Sambassadeur’s latest album, European, out now on Labrador Records.

Download: “I Can Try” by Sambassadeur

Sambassadeur “I can try” from Labrador Records on Vimeo.

My first impression of the first track off Sambassadeur‘s new LP, European, is that the song is easily their finest yet. With an emotive piano intro and outro, orchestral pop sensibilities, and schizophrenic percussion, “Stranded” seems to be a turning point for the band. Sambassadeur has always been a group to flaunt instrumentation, but here it’s never been as clear and forward, from the strings that enter as the introductory piano fades, to the deep clarinet solo just past the midpoint.

And the lyrics are at their finest as well: When your feet are moving easily / and the fireworks are on / You’re exactly where you want to be… This song is truly Sambassadeur at their greatest. With powerful songs like “The Park” (Migration, 2007) and “Between The Lines” (Sambassadeur, 2005) populating their past releases, I’m sure it’s safe to say that European has great things in store for us.

European hits February 22 via Labrador Records.

Sambassadeur: Stranded [mp3]

With an orchestral intro fit for Camera Obscura, Sambassadeur‘s “Days” sees the band returning to their roots and expanding their inclusion of strings. With “Days”, Sambassadeur hands over yet another great pop song and their best vocal hook since “Between The Lines”. Buried in a 70s folk-pop influence and including an upbeat shuffle in the percussion, Sambassadeur is sure to please fans of Belle & Sebastian and fellow Swedes and label-mates Acid House Kings. The song is off their new album European, due out next February.

Sambassadeur: Days [mp3]