IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal http://www.itsatrap.com/ Scandinavian music news, daily mp3 downloads, reviews, interviews and more Wed, 11 Nov 2026 12:56:18 -0800 2026 http://www.itsatrap.com/images/logo.png http://www.itsatrap.com/ IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal 137 141 Kleerup's "Aniara" soundtrack to be release in May http://www.itsatrap.com/n/40081-kleerups-aniara-soundtrack-to-be-release-in-may http://www.itsatrap.com/n/40081-kleerups-aniara-soundtrack-to-be-release-in-may http://www.itsatrap.com/n/40081-kleerups-aniara-soundtrack-to-be-release-in-may#comments Kleerup will be releasing his new soundtrack album "Aniara" -- a collaboration with musician Carl Bagge and vocalist Helen Sjöholm for the Stockholm City Theater production of the stage epic -- on May 9. Full press release here: http://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/pressroom/emi-music-sweden/pressrelease/view/kleerup-aniara-752936

]]> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:14:51 -0700 news general Susanne Sundfør working with Kleerup http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39905-susanne-sundfor-working-with-kleerup http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39905-susanne-sundfor-working-with-kleerup http://www.itsatrap.com/n/39905-susanne-sundfor-working-with-kleerup#comments Talk about mismatched levels of talent: Susanne Sundfør is apparently recording with Kleerup in Stockholm.

]]> Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:57:42 -0700 news general Lena Philipsson - Nästa säsong (preview) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/38330-lena-philipsson-nasta-sasong-preview http://www.itsatrap.com/n/38330-lena-philipsson-nasta-sasong-preview http://www.itsatrap.com/n/38330-lena-philipsson-nasta-sasong-preview#comments

A preview of the new Lena Philipsson single "Nästa säsong", written by Björn Olsson and Kaah and produced by Mattias Glavå (Anna Järvinen, Broder Daniel, Joel Alme, etc.). Lena's as-yet-untitled upcoming album will be out on November 30 and boasts a diverse cast of other cowriters, including Veronica Maggio, Christian and Vanessa Falk, Kleerup, Kaah, Dungen, Mauro Scocco and Markus Krunegård.

]]> Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:05:55 -0700 news multimedia general Adam Tensta - Scared of the dark (the remixes) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/38050-adam-tensta-scared-of-the-dark-the-remixes http://www.itsatrap.com/n/38050-adam-tensta-scared-of-the-dark-the-remixes http://www.itsatrap.com/n/38050-adam-tensta-scared-of-the-dark-the-remixes#comments All of the various remixes of the latest Adam Tensta single "Fear of the dark" (ft. Kleerup, Seba, Owl Vision, etc.) can now be heard via SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/adamtensta/sets/adam-tensta-scared-of-the-dark/

]]> Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:13:55 -0700 news multimedia Me and My Army myspace http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35250-me-and-my-army-myspace http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35250-me-and-my-army-myspace http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35250-me-and-my-army-myspace#comments The new Kleerup full band project Me and My Army now have a myspace page with an excerpt of a sample tune: http://www.myspace.com/meandmyarmyband

]]> Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:19:18 -0700 news multimedia Georg Wadenius to release a new album in October http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35188-georg-wadenius-to-release-a-new-album-in-october http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35188-georg-wadenius-to-release-a-new-album-in-october http://www.itsatrap.com/n/35188-georg-wadenius-to-release-a-new-album-in-october#comments Renown Swedish guitarist Georg Wadenius will release the new album "Reconnection" on October 25. Said record was produced with the assistance of Kleerup and includes an impressive roster of guest vocalists -- here's the tracklist:

01. Morning has broken (Frida)
02. Until we bleed (Kleerup)
03. Brothers in arms (Nina Persson)
04. Come back and stay (Peter Jöback)
05. Kärleksmorgon
06. Every little thing he does is magic (Rita Eriksen)
07. Sometimes (Helen Sjöholm)
08. Darkside (Kleerup)
09. Hymn
10. Don't give up (Nicolai Dunger & Silje Nergaard)
11. Reconnection

]]> Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:48:00 -0700 news general Familjen Mänskligheten Adrian Recordings/Hybris http://www.itsatrap.com/n/34156-familjen-manskligheten-adrian-recordings-hybris http://www.itsatrap.com/n/34156-familjen-manskligheten-adrian-recordings-hybris http://www.itsatrap.com/n/34156-familjen-manskligheten-adrian-recordings-hybris#comments Familjen's "Mänskligheten" was enough to give me pause. Here is one of my favorite Scandinavian electronic artists and an album I've been looking forward to for a little while now, and the first track sounds like a lazy, bedroom remix of a forgettable '90s techno track. Even with the outstanding "När planeterna stannat" following quickly after the trainwreck of an opener, a bad taste was left in my mouth as the album progressed. What has always attracted to me to Familjen is the songwriting, the indiepop playfulness embedded into the electronic framework. This is lacking from an artist like Kleerup, who is great in his own right, but approaches electronic music with more of an affinity for the mainstream. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this tact, it's just not what I've come to expect from Familjen after falling for "Det snurrar i min skalle". "Mänskligheten" -- with the exceptions of "När planeterna stannat", "Man ser det från månen", "Viggo", and "Det var jag", the standouts in my opinion -- could act as the soundtrack to a film set in Ibiza. Is "Mänskligheten" a bad album? By no means. It's just that the clever songwriting that sold me on "Det snurrar i min skalle" is mostly sitting in the passenger seat on this particular journey.]]> Mon, 17 May 2010 12:18:49 -0700 reviews Vinnie Who on Dolores, more http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33398-vinnie-who-on-dolores-more http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33398-vinnie-who-on-dolores-more http://www.itsatrap.com/n/33398-vinnie-who-on-dolores-more#comments will be releasing Vinnie Who's debut single "What you got is mine" on a white vinyl 12". Listen at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/vinniewhoofficial
Other 2010 releases in the works (or maybe already out) from the label include new material from Deportees, Håkan Hellström, The Fume, Eye Travel, Kungen och Silvia (feat. Ebbot Lundberg and Olle Ljungström), Kleerup, Pacific!, Lykke Li and I'm from Barcelona.

]]> Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:35:35 -0800 news general MP3: Titiyo - Longing for lullabies http://www.itsatrap.com/n/31483-mp3-titiyo-longing-for-lullabies http://www.itsatrap.com/n/31483-mp3-titiyo-longing-for-lullabies http://www.itsatrap.com/n/31483-mp3-titiyo-longing-for-lullabies#comments The Kleerup version was already a hit and was easily one of his album's highlights, but as far as I'm concerned, that's not saying too much. A decent tune among a bunch of mediocre formulaic pop songs and even-weaker instrumentals is still a decent tune, but it's not necessarily anything all that special. Good thing Titiyo includes "Longing for lullabies" again on her new record "Hidden" because once again it's a standout among other lesser works. However, I'd actually say her solo version is all that special. The lowkey approach and darker mood seems far more fitting than Kleerup's electro version, especially when you compare the two vocal takes. If you want to hear actual longing sung in a lullaby fashion, this is the one.

]]> Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:23:25 -0700 mp3s Markus Krunegård - Hela livet var ett disco (video + more) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/31366-markus-krunegard-hela-livet-var-ett-disco-video-more http://www.itsatrap.com/n/31366-markus-krunegard-hela-livet-var-ett-disco-video-more http://www.itsatrap.com/n/31366-markus-krunegard-hela-livet-var-ett-disco-video-more#comments Aftonbladet has Markus Krunegård's new, very entertaining (and apparently, hastily made) video for the song "Hela livet var ett disco": http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/article5677682.ab
Also, stream samples of the Krunegård/Kleerup collaboration "Lead singer syndrome" right here: http://www.kleerupkrunegard.com/

]]> Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:07:08 -0700 news multimedia PopMatters reviews Kleerup http://www.itsatrap.com/n/31128-popmatters-reviews-kleerup http://www.itsatrap.com/n/31128-popmatters-reviews-kleerup http://www.itsatrap.com/n/31128-popmatters-reviews-kleerup#comments PopMatters reviews the US release of Kleerup's self-titled album: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/94686-kleerup-kleerup/

]]> Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:22:56 -0700 news reviews Kleerup is a featured artist at Myspace http://www.itsatrap.com/n/31101-kleerup-is-a-featured-artist-at-myspace http://www.itsatrap.com/n/31101-kleerup-is-a-featured-artist-at-myspace http://www.itsatrap.com/n/31101-kleerup-is-a-featured-artist-at-myspace#comments There's a big promo for the US release of Kleerup's self-titled album on myspace: http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=4085433&albumid=12118518

]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:29:11 -0700 news general multimedia This week's Last.fm chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30757-this-weeks-last-fm-chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30757-this-weeks-last-fm-chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30757-this-weeks-last-fm-chart#comments Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Loney, Dear
02. The Radio Dept.
03. The Bear Quartet
04. Kleerup
05. Camera Obscura
06. Fever Ray
07. Phoenix
08. Kristofer Åström
09. Hello Saferide
10. Jens Lekman

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:19:18 -0700 news charts This week's Last.fm chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30240-this-weeks-last-fm-chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30240-this-weeks-last-fm-chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30240-this-weeks-last-fm-chart#comments Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. El Perro del Mar
02. Håkan Hellström
03. Loney, Dear
04. Jenny Wilson
05. Detektivbyrån
06. Bob Hund
07. Sahara Hotnights
08. Kleerup
09. Camera Obscura
10. Hello Saferide

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

]]> Tue, 05 May 2009 11:15:43 -0700 news charts New Kleerup website http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30013-new-kleerup-website http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30013-new-kleerup-website http://www.itsatrap.com/n/30013-new-kleerup-website#comments Kleerup has a new website: http://kleerup.net/

]]> Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:30:47 -0700 news general Swingfly debut coming in late April http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29861-swingfly-debut-coming-in-late-april http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29861-swingfly-debut-coming-in-late-april http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29861-swingfly-debut-coming-in-late-april#comments Swedish rapper Swingfly will finally release his proper debut album "God bless the IRS" on April 29. Thomas Rusiak, Kleerup and the brothers Åhlund (that's Klas and Jocke) produced.

]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:41:45 -0700 news general Kleerup - Longing for lullabies (video) http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29660-kleerup-longing-for-lullabies-video http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29660-kleerup-longing-for-lullabies-video http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29660-kleerup-longing-for-lullabies-video#comments Kleerup has a new video for "Longing for lullabies": http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/kleerup/video/looking-for-lullabies

]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:07:32 -0700 news multimedia New Kleerup 10" EP on April 1 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29440-new-kleerup-10-ep-on-april-1 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29440-new-kleerup-10-ep-on-april-1 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29440-new-kleerup-10-ep-on-april-1#comments Kleerup is releasing a new 4-track 10" EP called "Hello halla" on April 1. Full details here: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=107594185&blogId=474979638

]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:17:33 -0800 news general This week's Last.fm chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29150-this-weeks-last-fm-chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29150-this-weeks-last-fm-chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/29150-this-weeks-last-fm-chart#comments Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. A Camp
02. Hello Saferide
03. Frida Hyvönen
04. Håkan Hellström
05. Fever Ray
06. Morrissey
07. Anna Ternheim
08. Jens Lekman
09. Kleerup
10. The Fine Arts Showcase

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

]]> Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:02:15 -0800 news charts This week's top 20 Swedish album chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28843-this-weeks-top-20-swedish-album-chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28843-this-weeks-top-20-swedish-album-chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28843-this-weeks-top-20-swedish-album-chart#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Scotts - På vårt sätt
02. Anna Ternheim - Leaving on a mayday
03. Irya's Playground - Irya's playground
04. Magnus Carlsson - Re:collection 93-08
05. Takida - Bury the lies
06. ABBA - The albums (9CD box set)
07. Sofia Jannok - Ássogáttis / By the embers
08. Per Gessle - Party crasher
09. Kent - Kent box 1991-2008
10. Ulf Lundell - Omaha
11. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild
12. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Communion
13. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
14. Jill Johnson - Baby blue paper
15. Titiyo - Hidden
16. Kleerup - Kleerup
17. Eldkvarn - Hunger hotell
18. Agnes - Dance love pop
19. In Flames - A sense of purpose
20. Petter - X - Greatest hits

]]> Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:10:09 -0800 news charts This week's top 20 Swedish album chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28731-this-weeks-top-20-swedish-album-chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28731-this-weeks-top-20-swedish-album-chart http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28731-this-weeks-top-20-swedish-album-chart#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Scotts - På vårt sätt
02. Anna Ternheim - Leaving on a mayday
03. Irya's Playground - Irya's playground
04. Magnus Carlsson - Re:collection 93-08
05. Takida - Bury the lies
06. ABBA - The albums (9CD box set)
07. Kent - Kent box 1991-2008
08. Per Gessle - Party crasher
09. Ulf Lundell - Omaha
10. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
11. Jill Johnson - Baby blue paper
12. Lena + Orup - Dubbel
13. Kleerup - Kleerup
14. Petter - X - Greatest hits
15. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild
16. Titiyo - Hidden
17. Timo Räisänen - ...And then there was timo
18. In Flames - A sense of purpose
19. ABBA - ABBA gold - Greatest hits
20. Bo Kaspers Orkester - 8

]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:50:32 -0800 news charts Kleerup + Krunegård = ? http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28600-kleerup-krunegard http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28600-kleerup-krunegard http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28600-kleerup-krunegard#comments Kleerup is reportedly working together on a new project with Markus Krunegård of Laakso: http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/article4144423.ab (in Swedish)
I suspect it will fit the exact same formula as the rest of his vocal-based work, but who knows? Maybe he'll actually forgo the usual stringlines for once.

]]> Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:26:06 -0800 news general Och de vinnarna är... http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28581-och-de-vinnarna-ar http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28581-och-de-vinnarna-ar http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28581-och-de-vinnarna-ar#comments Here are the winners of this year's Swedish Grammy/Grammis:

Best album: Anna Ternheim - Leaving On A Mayday
Best dance/hip-hop/soul: Afasi & Filthy - Fläcken
Best folk/visa: Abalone Dots - Traveler
Best group: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Communion
Best hardrock: In Flames - A Sense Of Purpose
Best jazz: E.S.T. - Leucocyte
Best female artist: Anna Ternheim - Leaving On A Mayday
Best live act: Robyn
Best song: E.M.D. - Jennie, Let Me Love You
Best male artist: Håkan Hellström - För Sent För Edelweiss
Best newcomer: Kleerup - Kleerup
Best composer: Kleerup - Kleerup
Best producer: Kleerup - Kleerup
Best lyrics: Annika Norlin - More Modern Short Stories From Hello Saferide
MTV prize for best video: They Live By Night - Catching Up (Dir. Senay/ Kolacz)
Best electronic producer: Eric Prydz

]]> Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:13:27 -0800 news general awards http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25193 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25193 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25193#comments Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Hello Saferide
02. Anna Ternheim
03. Kleerup
04. Moto Boy
05. El Perro del Mar
06. Loney, Dear
07. Club 8
08. Håkan Hellström
09. The Soundtrack of Our Lives
10. Glasvegas

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

]]> Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:45:33 -0800 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23856 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23856 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23856#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lars Winnerbäck - Vi var där blixten hittade ner - Live hösten 2007
02. Takida - Bury the lies
03. Backyard Babies - Backyard Babies
04. Amy Diamond - Music in motion/Gold edition
05. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
06. Lasse Stefanz - Rallarsväng
07. The Refreshments - Jukebox - Refreshing classics
08. Patrik Isaksson - 10 år en snäll mans bekännelser
09. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
10. Lisa Miskovsky - Last year's songs - Greatest hits
11. Abalone Dots - Traveler
12. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
13. Miss Li - Best of 061122-071122
14. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
15. ABBA - ABBA Gold - Greatest hits
16. Hammerfall - Rebels with a cause
17. Kleerup - Kleerup
18. Rongedal - Rongedal
19. E.M.D. - A state of mind
20. Ola - Good enough - The feelgood edition

]]> Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:36:00 -0700 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23778 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23778 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23778#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Backyard Babies - Backyard Babies
02. Lars Winnerbäck - Vi var där blixten hittade ner - Live hösten 2007
03. Lasse Stefanz - Rallarsväng
04. Takida - Bury the lies
05. The Refreshments - Jukebox - Refreshing classics
06. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
07. Miss Li - Best of 061122-071122
08. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
09. Patrik Isaksson - 10 år en snäll mans bekännelser
10. Lisa Miskovsky - Last year's songs - Greatest hits
11. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
12. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
13. Abalone Dots - Traveler
14. Ola - Good enough - The feelgood edition
15. E.M.D. - A state of mind
16. Hammerfall - Rebels with a cause
17. Kleerup - Kleerup
18. ABBA - ABBA Gold - Greatest hits
19. Rongedal - Rongedal
20. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger

]]> Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:48:55 -0700 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23687 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23687 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23687#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lars Winnerbäck - Vi var där blixten hittade ner - Live hösten 2007
02. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
03. Takida - Bury the lies
04. Patrik Isaksson - 10 år en snäll mans bekännelser
05. Lasse Stefanz - Rallarsväng
06. The Refreshments - Jukebox - Refreshing classics
07. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
08. Lisa Miskovsky - Last year's songs - Greatest hits
09. Robert Wells - The best of Rhapsody 1998-2008
10. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
11. Abalone Dots - Traveler
12. E.M.D. - A state of mind
13. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
14. Miss Li - Best of 061122-071122
15. ABBA - ABBA Gold - Greatest hits
16. Rongedal - Rongedal
17. The Poodles - Sweet trade - New edition
18. Kleerup - Kleerup
19. Evert Taube - Mästerverk!
20. Hammerfall - Rebels with a cause

]]> Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:15:34 -0700 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23611 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23611 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23611#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lasse Stefanz - Rallarsväng
02. Takida - Bury the lies
03. Robert Wells - The best of Rhapsody 1998-2008
04. Abalone Dots - Traveler
05. Patrik Isaksson - 10 år en snäll mans bekännelser
06. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
07. The Refreshments - Jukebox - Refreshing classics
08. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
09. Lisa Miskovsky - Last year's songs - Greatest hits
10. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
11. Lars Winnerbäck - Vi var där blixten hittade ner - Live hösten 2007
12. E.M.D. - A state of mind
13. Miss Li - Best of 061122-071122
14. Kleerup - Kleerup
15. Rongedal - Rongedal
16. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
17. Evert Taube - Mästerverk!
18. Hammerfall - Rebels with a cause
19. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss
20. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger

]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:04:10 -0700 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23536 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23536 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23536#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Takida - Bury the lies
02. Patrik Isaksson - 10 år en snäll mans bekännelser
03. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
04. The Refreshments - Jukebox - Refreshing classics
05. Rongedal - Rongedal
06. Lasse Stefanz - Rallarsväng
07. Ola - Good enough - The feelgood edition
08. Lars Winnerbäck - Vi var där blixten hittade ner - Live hösten 2007
09. Miss Li - Best of 061122-071122
10. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
11. Sten & Stanley - Det känns när det svänger
12. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
13. E.M.D. - A state of mind
14. Lisa Miskovsky - Last year's songs - Greatest hits
15. Evert Taube - Mästerverk!
16. Kleerup - Kleerup
17. Hammerfall - Rebels with a cause
18. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
19. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
20. Suzzie Tapper - Mirakel

]]> Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:26:26 -0700 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23478 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23478 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23478#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lasse Stefanz - Rallarsväng
02. Patrik Isaksson - 10 år en snäll mans bekännelser
03. Takida - Bury the lies
04. The Refreshments - Jukebox - Refreshing classics
05. Sten & Stanley - Det känns när det svänger
06. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
07. Rongedal - Rongedal
08. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
09. Lisa Miskovsky - Last year's songs - Greatest hits
10. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
11. E.M.D. - A state of mind
12. Robert Wells - The best of Rhapsody 1998-2008
13. Evert Taube - Mästerverk!
14. Miss Li - Best of 061122-071122
15. Caroline Larsson - In the moment
16. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
17. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me - New edition
18. The Real Group - Håll musiken igång! The Real Group sjunger Povel
19. Kleerup - Kleerup
20. Hammerfall - Rebels with a cause

]]> Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:26:20 -0700 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23422 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23422 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23422#comments Utilizing new Last.fm technology, here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Juvelen
02. Laakso
03. Kleerup
04. Pelle Carlberg
05. Håkan Hellström
06. Audrey
07. Fleet Foxes
08. Jens Lekman
09. Detektivbyrån
10. Christian Kjellvander

See, now that's more like what I would expect! Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

]]> Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:49:15 -0700 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23410 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23410 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23410#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Ola - Good enough - The feelgood edition
02. Patrik Isaksson - 10 år en snäll mans bekännelser
03. Lasse Stefanz - Rallarsväng
04. Takida - Bury the lies
05. Sten & Stanley - Det känns när det svänger
06. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
07. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
08. The Refreshments - Jukebox - Refreshing classics
09. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
10. E.M.D. - A state of mind
11. Lisa Miskovsky - Last year's songs - Greatest hits
12. Evert Taube - Mästerverk!
13. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
14. Robert Wells - The best of rhapsody 1998-2008
15. Rongedal - Rongedal
16. The Real Group - Håll musiken igång! The Real Group sjunger Povel
17. Hammerfall - Rebels with a cause
18. Miss Li - Best of 061122-071122
19. Kleerup - Kleerup
20. Håkan Hellström - För sent för Edelweiss

]]> Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:41:49 -0700 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23335 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23335 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23335#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lasse Stefanz - Rallarsväng
02. The Real Group - Håll musiken igång! The Real Group sjunger Povel
03. Patrik Isaksson - 10 år en snäll mans bekännelser
04. Evert Taube - Mästerverk!
05. E.M.D. - A state of mind
06. Sten & Stanley - Det känns när det svänger
07. Takida - Bury the lies
08. The Refreshments - Jukebox - Refreshing classics
09. Hammerfall - Rebels with a cause
10. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
11. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
12. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
13. Miss Li - Best of 061122-071122
14. Kleerup - Kleerup
15. Rongedal - Rongedal
16. Håkan Hellström - För sent för Edelweiss
17. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
18. Stefan Andersson - No. 90 kleist
19. Eric Gadd - Stockholm står kvar men jag ligger
20. Christer Sjögren - Jubileum 40 år med Christer Sjögren

]]> Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:54:59 -0700 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23280 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23280 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23280#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lasse Stefanz - Rallarsväng
02. The Real Group - Håll musiken igång! The Real Group sjunger Povel
03. Sten & Stanley - Det känns när det svänger
04. Takida - Bury the lies
05. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
06. Hammerfall - Rebels with a cause
07. Evert Taube - Mästerverk!
08. Kleerup - Kleerup
09. E.M.D. - A state of mind
10. The Refreshments - Jukebox - Refreshing classics
11. Miss Li - Best of 061122-071122
12. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
13. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
14. Eric Gadd - Stockholm står kvar men jag ligger
15. Håkan Hellström - För sent för Edelweiss
16. Rongedal - Rongedal
17. Roxette - A collection of Roxette hits! Their 20 greatest
18. Christer Sjögren - Jubileum 40 år med Christer Sjögren
19. Trazan & Banarne - Swingtajm! Trazan & Banarnes 30-årsskiva!
20. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)

]]> Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:51:48 -0700 news charts MP3: On Volcano - Out of sight http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28369-mp3-on-volcano-out-of-sight http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28369-mp3-on-volcano-out-of-sight http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28369-mp3-on-volcano-out-of-sight#comments Okay, time for one last mid-year highlight. On thinking about who to cover, I knew I had to do something non-Swedish since a lot of the higher rated stuff from thereabouts is rightfully getting the attention it deserves (and no, I'm not talking about Kleerup). So Finland it is! I was inclined to do another Frivolvol post¹, but I figure that would be too much negativity for one week. They are, after all, one of the most nihilistic/misanthropic bands I've heard in quite some time. Instead I give you another track from indierock shoegazers On Volcano. I know I only just got their debut EP "My sleep was filled with dreams" quite recently², but it's been on steady rotation ever since it arrived. Further proof of my devotion: I purchased a number of copies for resale knowing full well that they are an obscure act with no profile whatsoever. It's worth it to me, they are that good. As I said last time, the band started out doing postrock and you can still hear that in their sound, but they've honed and refined the approach to be more pop-oriented, much thanks to frontwoman Minna's prominent vocals. "Out of sight" is a perfect example as it starts off in dreampop land before getting direct and to-the-point on the chorus. Wait for the breakdown too- that's the best part! Totally unexpected, but absolutely perfect.

]]> Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:35:34 -0700 mp3s Kleerup s/t EMI http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26473-kleerup-s-t-emi http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26473-kleerup-s-t-emi http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26473-kleerup-s-t-emi#comments Andreas Kleerup's self-titled debut is verification of this idea. Holding more in common with The Knife's songwriting approach than that of Max Martin, and reveling in similar production tricks to that of Justice, Kleerup's compositions seem almost "accidentally" radio friendly; too much effort has been put into these tracks for them to be dismissed as pop fluff, and yet too much pop sensibility has gone into their writing for the songs to feel pretentiously avant-garde -- the album's strengths exist somewhere in between these two judgments. While the record is rather star-studded with tracks featuring numerous well-known artists: Robyn, Lykke Li, Neneh Cherry, and Marit Bergman, to name a few, Kleerup's own tracks stand up well on their own. "Thank you for nothing" runs cleverly between Europop-like catchiness and the allure of well-produced remixes of bands like Phoenix, and opener "Hero" is an engaging first look at the album, evoking a strange mix between Vangelis and Röyksopp. "With every heartbeat", the Robyn-featured single, is my favorite track, though the Marit Bergman led "3am" and Lykke Li's "Until we bleed" are not far behind. Overall, "Kleerup" is a skillfully produced pop record that's as much fun as it is expertly written and executed -- a pleasant departure from the soulless gloss of so many other pop albums.]]> Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23219 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23219 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23219#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lasse Stefanz - Rallarsväng
02. The Refreshments - Jukebox - Refreshing classics
03. Sten & Stanley - Det känns när det svänger
04. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
05. Kleerup - Kleerup
06. Eric Gadd - Stockholm står kvar men jag ligger
07. E.M.D. - A state of mind
08. Takida - Bury the lies
09. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
10. Rongedal - Rongedal
11. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
12. Robert Wells - The best of rhapsody 1998-2008
13. Evert Taube - Mästerverk!
14. Håkan Hellström - För sent för Edelweiss
15. Trazan & Banarne - Swingtajm! Trazan & Banarnes 30-årsskiva!
16. E.S.T. - E.S.T. live in Hamburg
17. Caroline Larsson - In the moment
18. Thore Skogman - Thore goes metal
19. Sabaton - The art of war
20. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)

Sad to see that E.S.T. album back in there. We lost someone very special when Esbjörn passed away.

]]> Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:11:41 -0700 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23211 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23211 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23211#comments Pitchfork reviews Kleerup: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/51044-kleerup
Also posted, an mp3 from Juvelen who, as I mentioned before, will be playing a few NYC shows coming up: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/51412-juvelen-hanna-mp3stream

]]> Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:09:44 -0700 news reviews multimedia live http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23137 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23137 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23137#comments Kleerup's next single will be "3am" which features Marit Bergman. Stream it at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/maritbergman

]]> Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:47:39 -0700 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22994 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22994 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22994#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lasse Stefanz - Rallarsväng
02. Sabaton - The art of war
03. Ola - Good enough - The feelgood edition
04. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
05. E.M.D. - A state of mind
06. Rongedal - Rongedal
07. Kleerup - Kleerup
08. Sten & Stanley - Det känns när det svänger
09. Stefan Andersson - No. 90 kleist
10. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
11. Caroline Larsson - In the moment
12. Takida - Bury the lies
13. Charlotte Perrelli - Hero
14. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
15. Christer Sjögren - Jubileum 40 år med Christer Sjögren
16. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
17. Håkan Hellström - För sent för Edelweiss
18. Amy Diamond - Music in motion/Gold edition
19. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)
20. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...

]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:49:33 -0700 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22922 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22922 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22922#comments Here is the It's a Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 artists of the week:

01. Sigur Rós
02. Death Cab for Cutie
03. Radiohead
04. Håkan Hellström
05. The Radio Dept.
06. Belle and Sebastian
07. Coldplay
08. Kleerup
09. Jens Lekman
10. Sébastien Tellier

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

]]> Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:25:01 -0700 news charts http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22920 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22920 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22920#comments Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Lögnhalsmottagningen - Bodybuilder
02. TALK 1
03. Svart - Carl du lever i en dröm
04. Majessic Dreams - Beautiful days
05. Antennas - Lies (Oscar Tillman remix)
06. TALK 2
07. The Sound O.E - Universal tourist
08. Kaipa - Nattdjurstid
09. Murmansk - Pale
10. TALK 3
11. On Volcano - Ride the wolf
12. Markus Krunegård - Samma nätter vänter alla
13. Ondo - Mahavishnu
14. TALK 4
15. Popsicle - Hey princess
16. CMX - Tulikiveä
17. Ström i P2/Håkan Lidbo - Strömavbrott (Boeoes Kaelstigen Etsi remix)
18. TALK 5
19. The Goner - Kill them all save Simon Joyner
20. Cult of Luna - Eternal kingdom
21. Montys Loco - Ages ago
22. TALK 6
23. Mattias Alkberg BD - Allting är drömt
24. Masshysteri - Monoton tid
25. Ljudbilden & Piloten - You know you're doing OK
26. Abduktio - Thermador
27. TALK 7
28. Hebosagil - Big sun
29. Anna Ternheim - To be gone
30. Kusowsky - Tjuvar
31. Fredrik - 1986
32. TALK 8
33. Johan Heltne - 16 Avenue de l'Opera
34. Cortex - Arkham
35. Kleerup - Until we bleed (ft. Lykke Li)
36. TALK 9
37. Coldworker - Citizens of the cyclopean maze

Heads-up: my show is moving to a new time next week! Starting on Sunday, June 8 my show will be on at 11pm Eastern / 8pm Pacific with a repeat on Monday at the exact same time. I'm also paring down to an hour of programming a week, so expect all-killer/no-filler from here on out! Also, seeing as how I'm leaving for Sweden on June 9, this week's coming show will be a Hultsfred Festival special so mark your calenders, update your alarm clocks or do whatever it is you need to do to remind yourself to listen in!

]]> Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:53:34 -0700 news sirius sitenews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22892 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22892 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22892#comments This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
02. E.M.D. - A state of mind
03. Rongedal - Rongedal
04. Kleerup - Kleerup
05. Sten & Stanley - Det känns när det svänger
06. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
07. Christer Sjögren - Jubileum 40 år med Christer Sjögren
08. Caroline Larsson - In the moment
09. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
10. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
11. Universal Poplab - Seeds
12. Takida - Bury the lies
13. Amy Diamond - Music in motion/Gold edition
14. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)
15. Charlotte Perrelli - Hero
16. Suzzie Tapper - Mirakel
17. Håkan Hellström - För sent för Edelweiss
18. Peter Lemarc - Lemarc live!
19. Miss Li - Best of 061122-071122
20. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...

]]> Thu, 29 May 2008 15:33:03 -0700 news charts MP3: Kleerup - Until we bleed http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28335-mp3-kleerup-until-we-bleed http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28335-mp3-kleerup-until-we-bleed http://www.itsatrap.com/n/28335-mp3-kleerup-until-we-bleed#comments I know a lot of folks are eager to kickstart the Kleerup backlash in earnest, so to them let me say this: sorry, but his new album really isn't all that bad. For one, he's got a lot of starpower in his favor; Robyn, Marit Bergman, Lykke Li (today's mp3), Titiyo, Lisa Milberg (The Concretes) and Neneh Cherry all lend their voices to tracks. On the other hand, those tracks are the only standouts as Kleerup's instrumentals are unanimously forgettable. So when I say that the album isn't all that bad, it really isn't all that great either. "Until we bleed" is sublime, smoky and sad-sack, easily the album highlight. I'm not even that much of a Lykke Li fan, but her fragile delivery here suits the dark, bubbly sound to a tee. It's all about vibe and the string samples in the refrain accentuate her vulnerability, giving the track a subdued but seductive coating. Compared to "With every heartbeat" (ft. Robyn), my pick for the 2nd best track (and one I assume everyone's already heard more than enough times by now), it's far less immediate, but far more rewarding overall. The formula is almost exactly the same almost to the point of self-plagiarization, except that Robyn can't help but make everything she sings into an anthem. When Kleerup attempts to do the same with Marit Bergman and Titiyo, the results are decent enough, but nowhere near as exciting. It's not the vocalists' fault - they do their job adequately enough, the tracks just don't accentuate their strengths. In a word: tepid. Not hot, not cold, not even worth discussing. Grab this one and blast it, forget the rest.

]]> Wed, 21 May 2008 11:41:11 -0700 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22488 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22488 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22488#comments Pitchfork has the Kleerup/Lykke Li collaboration "Until we bleed" in the Forkcast: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/forkcast/50311-kleerup-ft-lykke-li-until-we-bleed-stream

]]> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:08:53 -0700 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22399 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22399 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22399#comments Besides Titiyo and Robyn, Kleerup's upcoming debut album will also feature guest spots from Lykke Li, Lisa Millberg (The Concretes), Neneh Cherry and Marit Bergman.

]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:41:38 -0700 news general http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22009 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22009 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/22009#comments Renown Swedish producer Kleerup will release his self-titled full-length debut on May 14.

]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:16:15 -0700 news general http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21912 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21912 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21912#comments Check out the video for the new Kleerup + Titiyo single "Longing for lullabies": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luIBrGyFNq0

]]> Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:32:12 -0700 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21418 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21418 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/21418#comments 24:hours has a whole bunch of Kleerup remixes posted for download: http://2-4-hours.blogspot.com/2008/02/thanks-for-all-answers-sent-for-hot.html

]]> Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:23:51 -0800 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20426 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20426 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20426#comments The nominees for the Swedish Radio P3 Guld awards have been announced:

Pop:
Anna Järvinen - Jag fick feeling
Friday Bridge - Intricacy
Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedala
Sambassadeur - Migration
Taken By Trees - Open Field

Dance:
Aril Brikha - Ex machina
Axwell - collected work
Minilogue - collected work
The Field - From here we go sublime
Tiger Stripes - collected work

Rock/metal:
Arch Enemy - Rise Of The Tyrant
Dark Tranquility - Fiction
Kongh - Counting heartbeats
Marduk - Rom 5:12
Mustasch - Latest version of the truth

Hiphop/soul:
Petter - God damn it
Ken - Äntligen hemma
Adam Tensta - It's a Tensta Thing
Million stylez - From A Far
Basutbudet - Svensk bas

Newcomer:
Adam Tensta
Maia Hirasawa
Million Stylez
Neverstore
Those Dancing Days

Female artist:
Laleh - Prinsessor
Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm Just Me
Miss Li - God Put A Rainbow In The Sky
September - Dancing Shoes
Säkert! - Säkert!

Male artist:
Danny - Heart. Beats.
Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedala
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Mange Schmidt - Känslan kommer tillbaks
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

Group:
Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
Mando Diao - Never Seen The Light Of Day
Sahara Hotnights - What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
The Ark - Prayer For The Weekend

Song:
Kleerup with Robyn - With Every Heartbeat
Mange Schmidt feat. Petter - Giftig
Oh Laura - Release Me
Sahara Hotnights - Cheek To Cheek
Säkert! - Vi kommer att dö samtidigt

Guldmicken (live):
Laakso
Mustasch
Salem Al Fakir
Säkert!
Timo Räisänen

More info: http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/p3/nyhetssidor/index.asp?programID=3014]]> Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:22:11 -0800 news general awards Top 10s for 2007: Marit Bergman http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25735-top-10s-for-2007-marit-bergman http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25735-top-10s-for-2007-marit-bergman http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25735-top-10s-for-2007-marit-bergman#comments The ten best songs I've been listening to. Not necessarily new ones.

Wichita Lineman - Glenn Campbell
Do what you gotta do - Roberta Flack
Hate that I love you so - Rihanna feat. Neyo
Tears dry on their own - Amy Winehouse
Love is a losing game - Amy Winehouse
With every heartbeat - Robyn/Kleerup
The tempest by Jean Sibelius - (as played by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Not technically a song, but with classical works like this it's hard so single anything out since it's all so tied together.)
This night I recall you - Frida Hyvönen
Visit to Vienna - Sahara Hotnights
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square - Vera Lynn

---------------------------
Marit Bergman is currently writing songs for her fourth solo album. Her last record "I think it's a rainbow" came out in 2006.
www.maritbergman.net
www.myspace.com/maritbergman

]]> Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20369 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20369 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20369#comments The final batch of Swedish acts confirmed for the next Eurosonic Festival: Wildbirds & Peacedrums, Familjen, Hyacinth House, Slagsmålsklubben, Kleerup and Robyn. More info: http://www.noorderslag.nl/]]> Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:40:28 -0800 news live industry http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19536 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19536 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19536#comments Discobelle has the Kleerup remix of the new Concretes single "Keep yours": http://www.discobelle.net/2007/09/28/keep-yours/]]> Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:31:23 -0700 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19367 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19367 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/19367#comments The Concretes have uploaded the Kleerup remix of "Keep yours" to myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theconcretes
The track will appear as a b-side on the single which will be released on October 15 on all formats: CD, 7" and mp3.]]> Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:46:58 -0700 news multimedia Listmania! 2007 so far http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25695-listmania-2007-so-far http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25695-listmania-2007-so-far http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25695-listmania-2007-so-far#comments An ever-increasing glut of new releases and an always-shrinking attention span means that it's harder than ever to keep track of all the music that is able to withstand the test of time. We can help! Yes, it's time once again for the feature that everyone loves to hate - the top 10 list. Okay, top 3s. We're only halfway through 2007, after all. So what has the collective contributing force of It's A Trap! been listening to the most these past six months? Read on!
- Avi Roig, Editor-in-Chief

Jonas Appelqvist:

  1. Logh – North (Bad Taste Records)
    An album that crawls under your skin to move you in every way imaginable. Atmospheric, dark and gloomy, yet filled with hope and warmth. Pure magic.
  2. Säkert! - s/t (Razzia)
    Annika Norlin together with peeps from Isolation Years. Immediate success of course. And in dialect, which is a huge plus!
  3. Laakso – Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
    Needless to say, everything Markus Krunegård touches turns to gold (remember Hets from last year's top ten-list?). Indiepop at its best.

Nancy Baym:

  1. Isolation Years - Sign sign (NONS)
    Lacks the high points of their previous records, but it's their most consistent and it spent most of January on repeat.
  2. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sing Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
    Just released and maybe I'll tire of it, but not yet. 30 minutes of delicious pop ditties sung by a man who really knows how to sing. Very tasty, but leaves me hungry for more.
  3. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin (MMC Records/EMI)
    Big loud swamp rock with massive guitars. Excellent music for falling on your knees and pumping fists in the air and some walls of sound that epitomize all that rock and roll should be.

Jason Christie:

  1. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
    It is zeitgeist. Everything about this is fresh. Not-a-jot of cynicism. Sweden's best act now.
  2. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing (Stand By Your Band)
    Thankfully carving out a breezier side on the new disc. This year's surprise.
  3. Laakso - Mämmilä rock (PEC FI)
    Laakso are HUGE. Apparently took 45 years to make using a process more secretive than Iran's muclear program and as mental as the 'Sinner or a winner' bloke on Piccadilly Circus.

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson:

  1. Aerial – The sentinel (Nomethod)
    Released on the last day of the first month of 2007, and still, four months later, amongst my favorite records of the year. Aerial's dark symphony of guitars, the waves of sound breaking over the guiding hands of the drums and bass, both maintaining some form of structural integrity in the midst of the beautiful chaos, and yet still prone to their own skillful flourishes, finds me just as wonderfully lost in the dense layers of their compositions today as I was in the early days of this year.
  2. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
    Instead of building on the playful, sometimes brash narratives of "Howl howl gaff gaff", the newest effort from Shout Out Louds displays a far more complicated, mature, and powerful sound. It is rare that musicians evolve so noticeably in a record's time, and arguably even more surprising that a group's sophomore album so excels their debut, but "Our ill wills" proves that while it may be a rare accomplishment, it is one that can be achieved.
  3. The Chrysler – The Benelux years (Flora & Fauna)
    While not everyone's cup of tea, The Chrysler are, at least in my humble opinion, one the greatest indie bands around. "The Benelux years" outshines their previous efforts, which is no easy feat, and has already cemented itself as a record that will continue to grow on me as the months and years slip by.

Matt Giordano:

  1. Laakso - Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
    This should be Laakso's international breakthrough. We'll just see if someone is brave enough to work with it.
  2. Vapnet - Något dåligt nytt har hänt (Hybris)
    This band just keeps delivering the goods, and it keeps getting better.
  3. Montt Mardié - Clocks/Pretender (Hybris)
    David Pagmar's second album is his vision finally coming into fruition.

Hanzan:

  1. Säkert! - s/t (Razzia)
    I never got Hello Saferide. Sure, it was charming, but never blew me away. Säkert! however has made me laugh, cry, blush. It's made me angry, happy, nostalgic, sometimes all this during the same listen. Brilliant.
  2. Eldkvarn - Svart blogg (EMI)
    The alcohol-drenched romantism of "Fulla för kärlekens skull" alone could almost have earned Eldkvarn a place on this list. Thankfully the rest of "Svart blogg" is amazing too. Cathartically personal, "Svart blogg" is one album I didn't think I'd love. But clearly do.
  3. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
    Shamelessly playful electropop that should be the soundtrack to everyones summer (and autumn and winter). Familjen holds the Scanian flag high, presenting some of the best Swedish electronic pop in a long time.

Nick Levine:

  1. Robyn/Kleerup - With every hearteat (Meatboys mix)
    Massive track added onto the UK release of Robyn's album. However, the Meatboys mix is far superior to the original.
  2. Those Dancing Days - demo
    The Swedish buzz band of the year so far. Definitely one to watch out for in 2008.
  3. Kalle J - Vingslag 7" (Unga Hjärtan)
    I don't know much about Kalle J, but this song incorporates oodles of feel good vibes and is shaping up to be one of my anthems of the summer.

Kevin Renick:

  1. Kate Havnevik - Melankton (Continentica)
    One hell of a swirling, self-assured, orchestrally dramatic singer/songwriter debut, this outing by Norway's latest female wunderkind is a gem, and "New day" is among the best songs of the year.
  2. Rumskib - s/t (Darla)
    As a fan of ethereal shoegaze when it's got real heart and style, I was mesmerized by the work of this Danish duo. Dreamy, melodic and beautifully produced songs featuring the voice of Tine Louise Kortermand.
  3. Dungen - Tio bitar (Subliminal Sounds/Kemado Records)
    Another dose of immacutely rendered, fuzzed-out prog from the dazzling mind and chops of Sweden's Gustav Ejstes. Remarkably free of fat and not cowering in the shadow of its highly acclaimed predecessor.

Avi Roig:

  1. Aerial - The sentinel (Nomethod)
    #1 with a bullet. An album I loved wholeheartedly from the very first moment I heard it.
  2. Kristofer Åström - RainawayTown (Startracks)
    Older, wiser and with a new backing band to match. This is a record that will sound just as good 10 years from now.
  3. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (Razzia)
    A toss-up between this and Säkert!. Behind the indiepop hits (Maia's "And I found this boy" vs Annika's "Vi kommer att dö samtidigt") hides two deeply touching records, Maia edges out slightly ahead due to my sadly lacking Swedish skills.

Christian Stenbacke:

  1. Sounds Like Violence – With blood on my hands (Burning Heart/Deep Elm)
    Andreas Söderlund is nothing more than pure genious. No matter if he plays with his collegues in Niccokick, produces Hello Safreride or goes back to the basics with neo-hardcore band Sounds Like Violence, everyting reeks with his presence. "With blood on my hands" is the most definite angst-ridden, panic-strucken, anxiety-filled record you'll come a cross this year.
  2. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
    Shout Out Louds may have gone The Cure, but I don't really care. Great music is always great music, no matter what, right? Beacuse "Our Ill Wills" is certrainly great music. I doubt that you'll ever hear a more well-crafted popsong than "Impossible" for a long time to come.
  3. Isolation Years – Sign sign (NONS)
    It was a very close call between Isolation Years and Kristofer Åström, both artists have put out two insanely good records this first half of 2007. The choice finally fell upon "Sign sign", a record filled with the sweet and emotional, almost charitable, popmusic that has become the distinguishing mark of the lads from Norrland, Sweden.

Simon Tagestam:

  1. Säkert! - s/t (Razzia)
    Ace melodies and lyrics make this the best album of 2007, yet.
  2. The Tough Alliance - New chance (Sincerely Yours)
    What a comeback!
  3. Lovekevins - Vs the snow (Songs I Wish I Had Written)
    Clever indie pop with a lot of warmth and humour. A personal favourite.
]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1536 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1536 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1536#comments 24:Hours is getting into the blog-as-label game and will be putting out a new comp featuring tracks from artists such as Kleerup, Skatebaard, Mental Overdrive, Dj Pilooski, The Work and more. It comes out May 11 and they'll be throwing a release party at Neat in Stockholm the same night. Check the link for details.]]> Tue, 08 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2042 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2042 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2042#comments The tracklist to the new Shout Out Louds single/EP "Tonight I have to leave it" has been revealed:

01. Tonight I have to leave it
02. Streams of whiskey - (Pogues cover feat. The Essex Green)
03. Tonight I have to leave it (Kleerup remix)
04. Tonight I have to leave it (The Russian Futurists remix)

The band's new album "Our ill wills" will be released on April 25 in Sweden and will come in a limited edition bonus edition featuring the bonus track "Don't get yourself involved". Releases in other territories will follow shortly thereafter.]]> Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3125 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3125 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3125#comments Discobelle has the Punks Jump Up remix of the Kleerup & Robyn single "With every heartbeat": http://www.discobelle.net/2007/01/09/robyn-pju/]]> Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11106 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11106 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11106#comments Here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) K-OS - Crabbuckit
02. (02) De Stijl - Queen Midas
03. (06) Amerie - 1 Thing
04. (NY) Britta Persson - Found at Home
05. (NY) Faith Evans - Again
06. (15) The Similou - Ladykillers
07. (16) The Killers - Mr Brightside
08. (05) Hot Hot Heat - Goodnight Goodnight
09. (NY) Gavin DeGraw - I Don´t Want To Be
10. (12) Basement Jaxx - Oh My Gosh
11. (19) Kleerup - Medication
12. (NY) Kaiser Chiefs - Oh My God
13. (10) Jenny Wilson - Summer Time
14. (11) Hello Kinski - My Baby Should Be Home By Now
15. (20) Diplo - Newsflash
16. (NY) Audioslave - Be yourself
17. (NY) The Raveonettes - Love In A Trashcan
18. (09) Maximo Park - Apply Some Pressure
19. (04) Lo-Fi-Fnk - ...And The JFG
20. (NY) Emiliana Torrini - Sunny Road

Leaving the chart: 22 Pistepirkko, Rilo Kiley, New Order, Stereophonics, Radio Luxemburg, Embee ft. José González and Millencolin]]> Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11173 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11173 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11173#comments This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (10) K-Os - "Crabbuckit"
02. (01) De Stijl - "Queen Midas"
03. (02) 22 Pistepirkko - "Rat King"
04. (05) Lo-Fi-Fnk - "... and the JFG"
05. (07) Hot Hot Heat - "Goodnight Goodnight"
06. (19) Amerie - "1 Thing"
07. (NY) Rilo Kiley - "It's a Hit"
08. (03) New Order - "Krafty"
09. (09) Maximo Park - "Apply Some Pressure"
10. (06) Jenny Wilson - "Summer Time"
11. (04) Hello Kinski - "My Baby Should Be Home By Now"
12. (11) Basement Jaxx - "Oh My Gosh"
13. (08) Stereophonics - "Dakota"
14. (ÅT) Radio Luxemburg - "It's Cruel Up North"
15. (NY) The Similou - "Ladykillers"
16. (NY) The Killers - "Mr Brightside"
17. (16) Embee med José González - "Send Someone Away"
18. (20) Millencolin - "Ray"
19. (NY) Kleerup - "Medication"
20. (18) Diplo - "Newsflash"

Leaving the chart: Psycho Sonic Cindy, Chick Habit, Moby, Kristofer Åstrom & Hidden Truck and Doves.]]> Wed, 23 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news