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!

Stephen’s Shore Share Skogen

One of the first records I’ll be buying next year has to be this new 7″ EP from Stephen’s Shore, and with another single dropping today, that’s pretty much a guarantee. While the first single offered those pristine indiepop jangles, they pull the blanket back just a bit, revealing a hint of slight psychedelic flourishes. Sure, soft jangles in the background, but the foreground guitar seems to rise from smoke-filled lounge; it shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the band play up the softness of both styles, giving us this perfect little pop concoction that you’ll enjoy for the rest of today (and beyond!). The Brisbane Radio EP drops on January 22nd via Meritorio Records.

She/Beast Shares Born to Fight

This track from Katja Nielsen (Arre Arre) under her new moniker, She/Beast, dropped in the middle of last week, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you. It opens up rather slowly, almost plodding through the first few seconds. But, the rhythmic hook drops in so seamlessly, immediately grabbing you. It was hard not to just get the feels, as this is the type os simple pop rock that I’ve always adored; its straight in its purpose, aiming to please with immediacy. She’ll be releasing In the Depths of Misery EP on December 11th via PNKSLM, so keep your eyes out if you like big pop feels!

Henrik Appel Shares Another Wake Me Up

One time, I threw a show, and Henrik Appel played a nice little set. As he was jamming, I was like damn, he’s got some power for a one man show. In listening to this latest single from the forthcoming Humanity LP, you get that same feeling; he’s able to build what seems like a huge sound, though still woven in simplicity. Appel opens with a solid riff, almost muted in its presentation, ringing just barely behind Henrik’s voice. Soon, he’s joined by Emma Lind, who lends her voice to several tracks on the LP; she builds this nice contrast, texturing the song to craft that larger than life sound. Saxophone shouts come in near the song’s close, furthering the sonic exploration we’ve heard from the record thus far. Stoked to hear Humanity in its entirety; it drops via PNKSLM on January 8th.

Stephen’s Shore Announce Brisbane Radio EP

Those of you waiting to feel that uplifting strum of warm guitars and cool vocals can just stop and take a deep breath as you listen to the latest single from Sweden’s Stephen’s Shore. The band have been fairly quiet since their superb September Love LP, but this single comes with news that the quintet will release the Brisbane Radio EP early next year. On the title track featured below, you can feel the spring in your step, the bounce in your soul; it’s not too far off from the style of pop we all adored in the Locksmiths. It’s simplicity and execution make this the perfect go-to tune for any day, but we figured we’d let you feel the joy right now. If you love it, you’ll have to wait until the EP drops in late January, courtesy of Meritorio Records.

IIawgne Share Reverie Neverending

Really enjoying this new poppy gaze tune from Sweden’s llawgne; it had me fooled for a second with those opening 7 seconds, tempting me to cover my ears afraid of a wall of noise. Instead, they pull back on the squall and settle into this driving rythm so that when the need arises for the guitars to cut through, they’re almost dulled into this unintentional melodic jettison. You could easily see how toying with this in another direction would allow for this powerful noise statement, but as a sucker for pop sensibility, I’m not shying away from my adoration of this tune by any means. Go on, give a listen, won’t you.

Coral Share I Just Want You Cause You’re Gone

Coral is a new Swedish project that just recently popped up on my radar, primarily the work of Miranda Coral Engholm. I’m sharing this new single for multiple reasons. First, the video just reminds me of what it feels like to be fun and free. I know we can’t all get that now, but if this video offers and solace, then its done its job. Second, I can’t get the guitar line out of my mind; like its burrowed in their like some musical ceti eel. I want it to just kind of run though my brain all day in every little thing that I do. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that Miranda has this sparkling voice to match that guitar line, creating this wonderful pop gem you’ll devour on this Monday.

 

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