Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

Swedish-UK electropop collective Pacific! has released their debut long player Reveries, a collection of soft-spoken but profoundly enjoyable pop delights.  Fans of The Softlightes or even Air will really derive some good-hearted fun from Reveries.  Hints of some old Southern riffs (see the bridge in “Silent Running”) and heavy doses of synths make Reveries  a booty-shakin’ wonder.

Grab a copy of Pacific!’s Reveries

Listen to “Hot Lips” (4.6/5)

Listen to “Sunset Blvd” (4.6/5)

Everybody’s favorite Nordic journalist turned musician, Tobias Froberg, is back with another album after his sensational Somewhere in the City. Froberg has also been working with half of Peter Bjorn and John, Peter Moren–I know, this is all getting a little overwhelming but try to remain calm. Froberg’s new album Turn Heads is due out April 15, and is looking to be a real wonderful album by the sound of the following track:

Tobias Froberg - Just Behind a Brickwall (4.8/5)

One of the latest products coming out of the great musical wonderland of Sweden is songstress Jennie Abrahamson with her debut album Lights. Abrahamson writes catchy pop-synth songs that feature her richly layered vocals giving voice to introspective, intelligent lyrics. Abrahamson sounds a little like CSV favorite The Weepies in her stylized cuteness but with more basslines and instrumentation. Lights is a great album to welcome in this new year, to welcome in the accompanying cold, so make sure you grab a copy of Lights.

You can head over to her website for more goodies.

Listen to “Why Did I Leave Home?” (4.8/5)

Listen to “Some Girls Are Evil” (4.8/5)

The Swedes.  Again.  I know-I can’t help myself.  But record label Labrador’s latest product is the bold-talkin’, sweet-playin’ pop collective Irene with Long Gone Before Summer.  Although the band’s sound is something more like  summery indie pop, Irene also teeters on a sentimental autumnal rock sound that seems to be ushering the fast approaching season of Fall.  And so, there doesn’t seem to be a better soundtrack for these days than the songs on Long Gone Before Summer, a colorful array of leaves that float effortlessly to the ground for us commoners to energetically collect and enjoy.  Irene’s vocals are somewhat B-52’s like, in that they lend a somewhat lighter mood to even the more serious tracks (see “Out of Tune”).  And for the most part, this debut long player is just an-end-of-summer delight to be enjoyed as that fading purple sun dips below the horizon of some Scandinavian seaside (say that 5 times fast).

So go and get yo’self a copy of Long Gone Before Summer.

Listen to “Little Lovin’” (4.75/5)

Listen to “September Skies” (4.6/5)

Want more?   “Baby I Love Your Way” and “By Your Side“

Man crush–this might be the best way to explain my adoration for Mr. Jens Lekman’s music. I admit it, but at least let me elaborate why you should have one too for Sweden’s best musical export. Lekman’s third release Night Falls Over Kortedala is a dreamy Scandinavian collection of songs that wakes you up, delights and entertains, and carefully tucks you in at night. It’s coherent, profound, comical, and intriguing.

From the lyrical component of Night Falls, Lekman conveys his sage-like wisdom about life and relationships with the utmost frankness and comedy. He possesses the story-telling ability of a Bob Dylan, as seen by the doo-wop big band “Postcard to Nina” which has him dazzling the listener about an awkward (true) visit to a friend’s house (for explanation, check out this video). Or have a listen to “Your Arms Around Me”, a charming ode to a woman who surprises him while he’s cutting avocados and cuts his finger–he goes to the hospital with her only to have her “arms around [him]“. It’s Lekman’s ability to make a point without being preachy that makes him the esteemed lyricist that he is.

But from a musical perspective, there is nothing lacking here either. “Sipping on the Sweet Nectar” is a discopop delight that meshes beautifully with the funked-out “Kanske Ar Jag Kar I Dig” that breaks into a full out chorus of falsetto from Lekman. There’s certainly a good deal of growth on this album from Oh You’re So Silent, Jens, and it has resulted in an album that is incredibly consistent and enjoyable. It seems that Sir Lekman is not so silent anymore.

Go and get a copy of Night Falls Over Kortedala (already out in Europe, due out Oct. 9 in US)
Listen to “Postcard to Nina” (5/5)!!!!!!!
Listen to “Your Arms Around Me” (5/5)!!!!!!

Lighten up, kids, grab a banana. Today, we’re talking about DIY (that’s Do it Yourself for all those abbreviation impaired) artist Emil Svanängen (I love the Swedes!) who goes by the name of Loney, Dear. Svanangen works out of a “very modest home studio setup, using a minidisc mic and a set of headphones to avoid disturbing his neighbors” (from his myspace). The result is a Postal Service-lite, featuring songs that range from achingly sweet to the folk-anthem-like arrangements. In his most recent release, Loney, Noir, Emil blends a delicate, fragile voice that manages to just float over the melodies. Upon multiple listens, I am struck by the lack of abrasiveness in the album–not to be mistaken for overproduction (it’s certainly more on the lo-fi side). The songs have this easy-like-Sunday-morning feel to them, much like those of the Postal Service, but there’s also a certain workmen’s quality to them. This is what music would sound like if a coal miner and a corporate secretary got together and hatched an album.

If that doesn’t do it for you, then maybe you just need to check out a few of the tracks. My personal favorite “I Am John” begins as a cute na-na-na lullaby that develops into a full-fledge electrofolk song that just seeps into the cavities of your body (maybe too much imagery there). And when the horns delicately come in, it’s just magnificent. Have a listen to “And I Won’t Cause Anything At All” and you’ll understand why I’m comparing him to TPS. [side note: Speaking of which, aren't those two due out for a new album soon? (Foreshadowing: Dntel)]

As you know, I’m encouraging a purchase here: Loney, Noir
Listen to “I Am John” (4.8/5)
Listen to “And I Won’t Cause Anything At All” (4.4/5)