Tag: sweden

Dreamy Number From Mata Kopa

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Mata Kopa is a Swedish based musical duo consisting of Miranda Raeder and Boris Grubesic. Since 2015, the duo has released a debut LP and spent tons of time touring all over Europe while building a name for the band. This year the Stockholm pair just dropped an EP entitled Go Buy the Sun, which features this standout track “Deep End”. On first listen, I was immediately drawn into the incredibly dreamy sounds and the impressive vocals of Raeder. Think Alvvays but with the occasional need to bust out some slick guitar spasms.

Go Buy the Sun EP is currently available to stream on Spotify.

 

She/Beast Shares Fan Club Leader

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As a Texan, you’ve got to be head over heels in love with this new track from She/Beast, particularly as Sweden’s Katja Nielsen says it’s a “country song who tells the tale of the murder of Selena Quintanilla.” Even putting in on play from the get-go, you can feel your silhouette cast upon the screen as you sit atop your horse staring off into the immense Western frontier. Part of the joy is looking for the little undercurrents of the tune that keep it relevant, and they’re certainly just beneath the surface, so I won’t pull back the covers for you, but I promise, the tune’s a worthy place to spend some time right now. You’ll find this jam on Violent Tendencies, out everywhere October 22nd via PNKSLM.

She/Beast Announces Debut Album

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There’s a certain timelessness to the 60s girl group sounds; even when used as kitsch, it’s still utterly charming. So, it should only be fitting that She/Beast, the project of Katja Nielsen, draws from that period for musical inspiration as she moves to announce Violent Tendencies. Our first listen definitely has that sort of swinging with your partner vibe, cheek to cheek on the dance floor as tin-covered stars hang loosely from the ceiling. Still, what makes Nielsen’s approach a bit more unique is that she’s still got that penchant for punk aesthetics remaining; it’s the attitude left over from her role in Arre! Arre!. Stoked to hear how this all shapes up in the long run; the LP is out via PNKSLM on October 22nd.

You Thant Share Fa$t Food Experience Video

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Sometimes, the indie scene gets a bit stale. One artist gets big, then everyone wants to mimic the style, so it becomes watered down and boring (see Mac Demarco/Phoebe Bridgers). But, that’s why I’m super into Sweden’s You Thant. Imagine being super into the Refused, showing adoration political themed pseudo-hardcore. Then, you’re like, you know what, fuck it, I love Kraftwerk and New Order too, so why not throw it all in a blender and make our own sound. This, my friends, is what you get from You Thant, and their hot tune “Fa$t Food Experience.” The beat’s propulsive, pushing you running through sterile streets of capitalist worlds, but the vocals from Julius Gudmundsun seem to growl at you, rallying you to join him in his anger. Definitely a fresh take on the indie sound; you’ll find this tune on Dinner for Two, out via Samjan Records.

 

The Slow Summits Share Then Again

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Fridays are great to catch a little spirit and ride off into the weekend with a bounce in your step, which is perfect for you because I’ve got this great new track from Sweden’s the Slow Summits. It’s the perfect bouncing style of pop music you know I love, in a faint way reminding me of Cats on Fire; the vocals have this natural drama to them that makes you swoon. Match that dreamy warmth with the contrasting bounce of the rhythm section at play here and you’ve naturally felt yourself inclined to tap your toes and don your best outfit as you bound out the door. Let’s hope this means more from the band as the year goes on!

Listen to Melby’s Latest Single, Concorde

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When it comes to crafting creative pop music, I can’t really think of too many operating like Melby, save for maybe Sun June. They have this natural ability to kind of lock into grooves and subtle pop inflections, riding them until the mood strikes and they switch directions. Here, there’s almost this calming lounge vibe, a late night pop croon for you, but then it kind of snakes its way into more dangerous territory, picking up a slight pace and sort of rocking you to a close. Like a great boxer, bobbing and weaving, in and out of grooves and melodies, delivering the ultimate pop knockout.

Fuzzy Bop from No Suits in Miami

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Sweden keeps sending upbeat indiepop my way, and I’m not ungrateful, so here I am to push the latest from No Suits in Miami. This single is the follow-up the bands recent I Hope That No One Sees Me LP, which won rave reviews for the band. There’s a great bit of contrast in the band’s sound, using hook-laden synths and rhythms, contrasted against a nice energetic wall of distortion; it all spins you about and gives you a bit of vertigo until the warmth of the vocals rise to the top and tie everything together. No word on the next album, but this tune is sure to be part of that mix!

Acid House Kings Return with A Little Dancing

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After a ten year hiatus, and a little pandemic tedium, Sweden’s Acid House Kings have returned with a spritely number to put a little attitude in your feet. This is that brand of frivolous pop music that has you jumping and grinning from ear to ear; you can’t help but just get swept up in the overall emotion of the tune’s spirit. And, despite an incredible vocal performance, the most lifting elements are the arrangements, from string arrangements to handclaps to backing vocals, all letting you punch in some fun time. Rumor has it we’ve got more from the band on the way, so please don’t skip out on the absolute joy you’re going to find below!

Jesper Zacco Shares Dream Single

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I’ll admit to not knowing much about Jesper Zacco, prior to this debut single for famed Labrador Records, but I’m fully on board with what he’s doing in this brand new single. The song opens with a careful vocal lurking behind some careful notes…ringing notes, synth echoes and atmospheric washes; it’s like a mischievous character playfully lurking around trees in a foggy forest. But, that mystery unfolds in the chorus, delivering this momentary clarity; it’s this sort of subtle warmth that I remember washing over me when I had early records by Nada Surf on, or maybe even the Wrens. Jesper will be releasing his debut this September, so we’ll keep you posted!

Shitkid Shares Runt Pa Stranden Single

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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.

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