The Radio Dept. Returns with Never Follow Suit EP
Swedish fuzzed out dream pop band The Radio Dept. is back with a new EP called Never Follow Suit. The… Read More »The Radio Dept. Returns with Never Follow Suit EP
Acid House Kings: Are We Lovers Or Are We Friends? [mp3]
Of Johan Angergård’s three bands, only Acid House Kings stays fixed within its prior works’ roots. This band has always created lovable pop music and that hasn’t changed one bit in their first single in five to six years, “Are We Lovers Or Are We Friends?” The track is off the bands LP Music Sounds Better With You.
Read More »Acid House Kings: Are We Lovers Or Are We Friends? [mp3]Fredrik: Origami [7″ Single Review]
Consistent in experimentation, exploring the outer reaches of dream pop is Swedish trio Fredrik. On their most recent release, Origami,… Read More »Fredrik: Origami [7″ Single Review]
Club 8: Closer Now [mp3]
I am at a loss for words. The People’s Record, the latest by Swedish pop group Club 8, defies explanation. The band has always fit the pop mold, often flirting between dreamy electro-pop and indie pop sensibilities, but this new stuff has islands-ish percussion, playful guitars, and obscure keys. It’s as if their traditional Swedish pop took a tropical vacation. We heard it on the album’s first single “Western Hospitality” and it’s written all over their latest single, “Closer Now”. These new sounds are upbeat, fun and completely refreshing. There truly is nothing like it out there in the world of indie pop. Read More »Club 8: Closer Now [mp3]
The Universe: 2010 [Album Review]
“Baro ihlo” begins with a deep, ominous bass clarinet and a dark accompanying guitar. Shrouded in a static-filled haze, the song leads into “1922”, where poetry is spouted in front of guitar feedback and a blend of a consistent drum beat with bursts of percussive noise. 2010 by Sweden’s The Universe isn’t all like this, but it does maintain that ethereal post-rock noise with lengthy minimalist arenas of quietude and momentous epic fits of wild guitars and percussion. What you’ll find, mostly, are mesmerizing instrumental tracks. Read More »The Universe: 2010 [Album Review]
Let’s Be Honeys [Feature]
I was introduced to Let’s Be Honeys from a Swedesplease post several months back, and after that initial listen (and download) I kind of forgot about the band. Well they returned to my radar the other day when “Heartful of secrets” began to play and I was instantly entranced. The songs are simple, featuring only Nils Folke Valdemar of Göteborg, Sweden, singing in his deep, playful tenor and strumming a ukulele or what sounds like a nylon string acoustic guitar. On “Heartful of secrets” he even throws in some hand claps. Read More »Let’s Be Honeys [Feature]
South Ambulance: Simple Obligation Of A Man [mp3]
I haven’t seen anything “new” by Sweden’s shoegaze-popsters South Ambulance since… well, since Labrador dished out that lovely comp featuring… Read More »South Ambulance: Simple Obligation Of A Man [mp3]
Sambassadeur: I Can Try [Video]
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. Read More »Sambassadeur: I Can Try [Video]
Solander: Narcissus [Video]
Last year I raved about Solander‘s “Looking For Gold” off their album Since We Were Pigeons. Their pop sensibilities were… Read More »Solander: Narcissus [Video]
Club 8: Western Hospitality [Video]
OK, I love this. True to recent videos by The Legends, a band fronted by Johan AngergÃ¥rd who also appears in Club 8, the video for “Western Hospitality” features dancing in a manner you wouldn’t typically expect. First, the mystic and masterful electro tune “Lucky Star” off Public Radio, then again briefly on “Always The Same” off the recent Over And Over. “Western Hospitality” is the latest hit by Club 8 and once again AngergÃ¥rd and counterpart Karolina Komstedt incorporate dancing into a video, this time by a young girl who plays the often ignored office outcast. I’ve already raved about this song; paired with this video, it’s stands true as one of Club 8’s best tunes yet! Read More »Club 8: Western Hospitality [Video]
