MP3: The Social Services - Baltic Sea
I first posted a track from The Social Services back in July and now I'm very excited to report that they've recorded new material and have given me permission to share a song with you. As I said way back when, The Social Services are a promising up-and-coming indiepop band out of Stockholm - cute, not cloying, more bittersweet than sweet and overall, incredibly charming. Another thing I like about them is their outsider status and the way it comes through in their songs- 2/3rds of the members are Scottish expats and without that, you'd never get a song like "Baltic Sea". You want insight into what it's like to be a foreigner in Sweden? Listen to this song. It's a love affair to be sure, but it's not without it's troubles. As I'm sure you know, the cold Scandinavian personality is legendary whether you know it through the films of Ingmar Bergman or have experienced it first-hand. Supposedly it even carries over here in the Pacific Northwest, where the population is heavily weighted towards people of Nordic heritage. Anyhow, the song is great and I love the wilting waltz feel, though the vocal counterpoint on the outro is by far the best part. It's so well-orchestrated and comforting, considering it's wholesome optimism. Expect to hear more from these guys soon, I promise you.
The Social Services - Baltic Sea