Karin Ström - Fantomhalvan
(Datadamen Records)

Like the patron saint of the 1980s, Karin Ström brilliantly recasts generic synths into fairly intriguing electropop instrumentals. However, despite creating engaging a backing for her poppy crystalline vocals, the two never jell, making new album "Fantomhalvan" more an exercise in Eurovision Song Competition showmanship then cohesive music-making. Tracks such as "Hackney Downs" and "Tills fulheten stillar vårt blod" momentarily spark a bit of playfulness, but overall the listener is left wonder how Ström's misguided attempt at self-production actually happened.

Admittedly, my inability to attach to Ström's work could be due in part to my inability to speak Swedish. While she is kind enough to provide linguistically handicapped listeners with translations on her website, something -- quite literally -- is lost in translation. Content without form, we get an endless parade of jilted lovers, bitter memories, and nights spent alone. Reading, rather than hearing, the deluge of half-baked metaphors is not unlike taking an illicit peak into a friend's secret poetry notebook -- sure you feel for the girl, but ultimately, it's a bit too embarrassing to acknowledge.
- Laura Studarus