I Was a King Share Here at Last

One of the bands I’ve always quietly cherished and pushed on these pages is Norway’s I Was a King; they just dropped a brand new track with mention of a new record on the horizon. This song still has a familiar guitar sound, which comes as no surprise, though I’ll admit it’s a little bit more tilted towards the psychedelic/paisley tendencies (not that I mind one bit!). Time and time again, the warmth of the vocals just feel like they’re hugging me closely, holding me to let me know everything in the world’s going to be alright; the band feels like they’ve encountered the restlessness of the world and chosen to instead choose tranquility…and most excellent pop melodies. Their new LP Follow Me Home is expected in the Fall.

Louise Weseth Shares Woodlands

It’s a chilly day down here in Texas, and with that, this Louise Weseth song feels perfectly fitting. The Norwegian songwriter is about to release her debut EP, and this particular tune, to me, feels a bit like trudging through the snows of the nearest “Woodlands.” Her work benefits from the production and arrangements, with various elements rising to the front of the mix, then falling away to let different moments shine. At times the light strum of her guitar rises, then fades away to join her voice in the distance as strings sweep through the tune, twinkling on the horizon. It’s the perfect place where wintry longing and dreamy folk meld together, so we’ll be looking forward to her debut next week!

Flight Mode Share Sixteen

I don’t give a shit what wave of emo we’re in right now; there’s a brand that totally fits into my mind as the purest form (though admittedly it’s probably like 2nd wave). Still, Flight Mode seem like they’re revisiting their own stories to create something nostalgic and new. Listening through this new single, it reminds me of the sort of breakdowns mid-track you’d get from a Bob Nanna-led band like Braid; it packs the same punch too! Still, the vocals from Sjur are a bit softer, which gives a little bit of brevity from the edged rush of guitars. You’ll find this track on the group’s new TX 98′ EP, which drops June 25th via Sound as Language.

Remington Super 60 Drop Talk Nouvelle Noveau

Norway pop outfit Remington Super 60 have been churning out some incredible pop nuggets the last few years, and today they add to that by dropping their Nouvelle Noveau EP. The opening track “Talk With You” should immediately turn you onto the band’s timelessness; Elisabeth’s voice could have come from one of your favorite 60s girl groups or been the intoxicating soundtrack to one of your recent indie flicks. I love the feathery nature of her notes, but it perhaps wouldn’t seem so sublime if Christoffer Schou didn’t add these delicate little touches to give the song’s lift, like the distant guitars in “I Won’t Change My Mind” and “Still Near.” Overall, the whole of the release feels like sitting down with a bowl of hot soup on a freezing day…nothing ever felt so right. Stream it below.

Remington Super 60 Share I Won’t Change My Mind

Remington Super 60 will be releasing a new album in February of next year, and while it deals with the breakup of core members of the group, this song shows they’re still able to work together to build something incredible. Christopher’s production here is sublime; it almost is so strong that it feels like its completely hidden behind Elisabeth’s voice. That doesn’t mean its not a valuable bit, just means that he knows his role at times is to build the pop scaffolding so that she can climb to the pop pinnacle. And does she ever; there’s such warmth, such timelessness; I hope it plays on forever. Look for the new EP next year courtesy of Cafe Superstar Recordings.

Remington Super 60 Shares Still Near

I really needed something soothing this morning to kind of temporarily let the pain of the world subside, or at least get outside my own head for a moment. Luckily, Remington Super 60 had a delightful new single to share with me (and you!) off their forthcoming EP, and its that sort of dreamy indiepop that makes you feel like you’ve been wrapped up in some oversized weighted blanket, calming every bit of your soul. It’s that subtle brand of pop with quieted rhythms working beneath a melodic softness, seeping into your skin carefully…you could use that right now, I’m sure. We’ll keep you up to date with more details…but as of now…this new EP is slated for the fall.

Intimate Number From Simen Mitlid

On a fairly gloomy Friday morning, this new song called “Birds” from Oslo based artist Simen Mitlid seems to be the perfect song for me today. Though it may come across as a strictly somber tune, it also features some brightness with atmospheric harmonies and clean guitars. Really this is a beautifully crafted song akin to something along the lines of older A.A. Bondy or Iron & Wine. Exactly what I needed to hear this morning.

This track will be the title track on an album of the same name coming out in the fall of 2020.

Welcome The Slow Painters

The Slow Painters are a four piece band out of Oslo who create their very own brand of indie rock, sprinkled with hints of Americana and folk. My first introduction to the band came by way of this impressive new single called “Egon”. It is a tightly wound bit of indie music, exploring avenues of foot stomping folk music and chant worthy epics. Though the band is new to me, and likely you, I expect to be hearing more from them in the future after my favorite single of the week.

The Slow Painters will release their debut, self-titled LP on August 28th via KeepSecret Records.

Grand Union Share Killing Forest Video

We’ve covered Grand Union in the past, though it’s been a few years since we’ve heard from the Norwegian group; today they’ve got a brand new single to share with the world…and it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for this morning. It’s this huge traditional power pop sound, fueled by dueling guitar parts and great melodic vocals that float on the top of the mix. Slight little mood changes in the chorus offer up just the slightest wrinkle, with the lyrical kind standing up defiantly against the killing frost; you even get a nice little guitar solo flare too, just so the band can flex their musical muscles. But, like all great pop songs, it gets out of its own way and closes in less than 3 minutes, leaving you refreshed, and perhaps, going back for more. Oh, and if you want another charmer, you should check the B-Side for this single HERE.

Simen Mitlid Announces Birds

I’m very much in a mellow mood this Monday, and thus my offerings have been fairly gentle today, like this new tune from Simen Mitlid. The Norwegian songwriter has been holed up for the last few years, quietly working on the follow-up to his 2017 release, Everything is the Same. What we have now is the same folk style he offered, only now it seems to be brimming with layers and textures; these make his quieted tunes feel like they expand inside your ears. Atmospheric touches build this blossoming pop euphoria within your head, still keeping things close to you as the light guitar strums pull your ear towards the speaker. Birds will be released later this year.

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