Shitkid Shares Runt Pa Stranden Single

I’m about to endure the joys of being a teacher in the modern age; I’m set to spend the next six hours administering a state standardized test! Such joy. Such fun. So why not prepare for that with this great little jam from Swedish band Shitkid. It makes sense that the tune’s title translates to “Around the Beach,” as you can clearly see the nod to beach pop rock…a little steady beat pushing forward while the guitar fuzzes out the front of the mix. It’s just a straight ahead rocker that makes you want to pump your fists in the air and sing along as you walk up and down the rows of desks staring down the boredom of your favorite students. This tune’s on the final Shitkid LP, Sort Sternje, which drops June 11th via PNKSLM.

Wy Share God’s Lamb Video

I don’t often get struck by vocals as much as I might have been at a younger age as a music fan, but when I turned on the latest tune from Sweden’s Wy, I’ll admit that Ebba’s voice just hit me immediately. The song’s barely even begun, almost like the duo are still tuning when suddenly she just belts out the first notes; she’s got this huge voice, yet almost instantly she pulls it back to quietly lull you into the core of the track. She plays with that dynamic throughout the song, alternating between striking and softness, but its the songwriting that really gives the tune/vocals clarity. Every note seems purposeful, careful not to get in the way of the other notes, tying everything together in one ridiculously wonderful pop tune. You can find this track on the group’s new Marriage LP, out May 7th via Rama Lama Records.

Sindy Share Real Tennis Single

I’m really enjoying listening to the work of Sweden’s Sindy, as the project seems to dabble in a lot of areas that I definitely appreciate as a music fan. The dreaminess is apparent, and that’s a spot on nod for everything in my current listening rotation. But, there are also some moments that kind of pull from the sort of pop alternative sounds you’d get from a Nada Surf record, and just as you’ve come to value those two worlds colliding, the song begins to glitch and transform into something truly special. If you’re looking for a little wistful start to Monday, then grab onto this tune; it appears on the Horror Head LP, out April 23rd via PNKSLM.

Melby Return with Magic

The song is titled “Magic,” but musically that seems a pretty apt descriptor, seeing how far Melby have come since their early days in the Sweden scene. This go round, they’ve really branched out, writing then heading into the studio to record right away; there’s no room for lots of thinking, so we get the freshest version of the tunes possible. I’m pretty sure Matilda Wiezell’s voice could carry this song on her own, tucking notes in at the edges to round out melody, then belting with these huge, compelling notes. Of course, the band’s bounding behind her, filling in little gaps of air with fuzz and tinkering, honing in on the experimental nature of their current writing process. As for now, this is just another great single on their label Rama Lama, but lets hope there’s a ripper of an LP hanging in wait.

Marble Raft Release Divided Sea

If you’re looking for the perfect piece of pop, you can generally rely on the good people of Sweden to help, like new outfit Marble Raft. The duo of experienced musical vets have been crafting their sound the last few years, built on the concept of pop and fables. This single is our first listen, with the band Olle and Gabrielle trading vocals throughout, uniting during the chorus to create the band’s natural euphoric feeling buoyed by heavy synth flourishes and atmospheric washes. In need of a little Monday morning warmth? Turn this one up, and be on the look out for Geography, which drops on May 7th.

Melby Drop Somewhere New

None of This Makes Me Worry was a great introduction to Sweden’s Melby, but the pandemic has allowed the group to sort of rearrange their approach in crafting songs, turning practice pieces they would normally tour behind into concrete songs. Listening to “Somewhere New,” it seems like the group’s focus has never been sharper, but their willingness to sort of let songs meander on their own time also has become more apparent. This song begins in a very modern indie rock vein, with Matilda’s voice dominating the early part of the performance, particularly the way she toys with syllables. But, somewhere along this musical journey the group really begins to just let go, really let their song take on a life of its own, riding into this sort of psychedelic proto pop, both energetic and sonically explorative. I’ll keep an eye on the band’s label, Rama Lama to be sure you’re up to date with the group, as they’re on to something exciting here.

IIawgne Shares Golden Soul

Swedish musician/producer Mathias Engwall is set to release his Nevereverie LP under the llawgne moniker. For me, the attraction initially was steeped in the deep construction of the tune, building these extravagant layers of bubblegum pop. But, the trick employed here, is that Engwall disguises those layers in this sort of atmospheric wash that sort of reimagines classic 60s era pop through a more modern lens. At times it feels heavy and psychedelic, yet still pulled in by this gravitational pop pull that builds and swells, sort of like the pop version of Papercuts…which is a great compliment. Be on the lookout for this LP later in the year.

Andronoids Share Sunny Day

I’ve got about 8 more hours of work, and then I get to take a nice few weeks off, so I’m looking for a fun number to get me right in the mood…this Andronoids tune helped. Honestly, it reminded me of French Kids (formerly Young Girls) who we’ve worked with on our label end of things. It’s part indiepop and part classic surfy sounds and also fuzzy gaze oriented rock and infectious as all get out. The Swedish outfit just released a new self-titled LP courtesy of Ontario’s We Are Busy Bodies, so if you feel like tapping your toes today, start here!

Julmat Share Next Xmas

Earlier this week we dropped the latest tune from Melby, but now we’ve got Matilda lending her dazzling voice to a track written by fellow labelmate, Julia Rakel (who we’ve raved about before too!); they are working together under the name Julmat. They’ve written a holiday tune of sorts, though its more about getting rid of 2020 and just speeding ahead to the Christmas of 2021, where we hope we can celebrate a holiday appropriately. More or less, this pop gem is a 2020 beat down track, disguised as a holiday tune, but it’s done so beautifully, well, I just had to get it up for you all to hear!

Melby Share Common Sense Single

Ever since the release of None of This Makes Me Worry, Swedish group Melby have really started to grow and experiment, and I think that’s paying off huge dividends for us as listeners. Their latest single has this sort of prog pop explorative adventure that serves as the prelude to the song’s core; even as a prelude, it builds tension as it awaits the entrance of Matilda Wiezell; she gives this bright roar that would easily fit in any number of modern psychedelic acts, though she accomplishes it with just a faint nod to pop crooning…and its spun to a stunning effect. Keep an eye on this outfit as they grow towards their sophomore release!

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