Estrange
Demo
self-released

There is no question to where Estrange got its inspiration from. This could have been any of Depeche Mode's early albums. It's not easy making a synth pop album without being influenced by Martin Gore and Co, but bear in mind that every songwriter gets his inspiration from somewhere and Estrange could have done a lot worse. "About yesterday" is the EP's strongest track. When some of the other songs bore you with a minute-long intro, "About yesterday" sets off straight away with a catchy chorus and sweet melodies. The problem with Estrange, it seems, is that all their songs sounds fairly similar. The tone of the Marcus Lilja's voice is boringly bland on most of the tracks. Although he manages to get some speed going with "Convictions", it is overshadowed by the too long and slow "Slide". I still salute Estrange in his quest to bring and break electronic pop music to Sweden; a country filled to the brim with punk rockers!
- David Hellqvist