Progress Productions have signed Swedish new-wave/electro duo Kite, the band of Christian Berg (Yvonne, Strip Music) and Nicklas Stenemo (The Mo, Melody Club). Look for a new EP soon.

MP3: Melpo Mene - Kling klang clock

Melpo Mene's gentle guitar plucking doesn't usually move me, though I do appreciate the quiet dreaminess of "Kling klang clock", a song that befits the title. No guitars until the end, just gentle harp-like pedal tones and subtly creepy xylophone, especially on the chorus. There's something in the Melody of those ascending chimes that's totally unsettling; it's just the right balance of blue notes and pretty Melody, like a pleasant dream about to turn nightmare. The key is that is never really does turn that corner though, it just leaves you with a vague suspicion that all is not well. All tension, no release; so much chromatic movement. A nice standout among the peaceful hippie vibes that permeate the rest of the album.

Melpo Mene - Kling klang clock

MP3: Paavoharju - Kevätrumpu

Paavoharju makes some very interesting sounds, but after giving their new album "Laulu laakson kukista" numerous spins, I have come to the conclusion that it lacks a cohesive narrative, ultimately rendering them forgettable. At first I wondered if maybe I wasn't in the correct damaged state of mind to appreciate their weirdness, but nothing sticks no matter how many times I listen. It's especially disappointing too because, like I said, the actual sounds they create are fascinating. "Kevätrumpu" is a good illustration of my frustration -- the main Melody line is established early on and flutters in and out of focus as the piece progresses, yet it never really goes anywhere. It goes from tepid to soft to tepid and then ceases to be altogether. Very disappointing.

Paavoharju - Kevätrumpu

Paavoharju
Laulu laakson kukista
Fonal Records

Listening to "Laulu laakson kukista", it's easy to hear where everyone gets the "freak" and "psych" to prefix Paavoharju's inscrutable blend of folk. It's hardly consistent—perhaps one of the reasons that they remain on the folk margins is their uneven, genre-hopping approach to LPs, where they give almost as much time to circus music larceny as they do to their fuzz-folk-meets-trip hop explorations.

The appearance of waltz time is perhaps the only thematic glue that binds the disparate ends on "Kukista". These waltzes work better when they rummage around in a fog of electronica, while darkly angelic female vocalists swarm as sirens around come-and-go drums. Attempts at a more straightforward approach like "Italialaisella laivalla" mostly fail to impress -- the melodies too woodsy, their signature ethereal errata too lacking.

It's beat-driven songs like "Uskallan" with its broad, almost proto-Slavic Melody that get the job done when neither the siren's song or the sea of low-tech ambience can be found. These latter qualities, prominent in "Kevatrumpu", "Kirkonvaki", and "Tytto tanssii" are starkly beautiful highlights -- better than anything I've heard all year -- but Paavoharju has trouble finding enough "Uskallan" moments to lift the rest of the album out of the water.

I guess Paavoharju is just hard to understand. Maybe it's the fact that I don't know a word of Finnish, or maybe it's the fact that their self-proclaimed mystic Christian asceticism is supposed to inspire visions of 16th-century Byzantium that I just don't get. But all of this confusion never subtracts from the weird beauty of most of this album. It remains impressive and stunning, and its arcane nature rewards with repeat listens.
- Nathan Keegan

MP3: Theresa Andersson - Birds fly away

Theresa Andersson is a Swedish expat multi-instrumentalist based out of New Orleans with a new album "Hummingbird, go!" coming out on Basin Street Records on September 2. Hopefully you've already checked out the video for "Na na na" which is spectacular showcase of her musical prowess and now her PR firm has followed up with the go-ahead to post "Birds fly away", so that's the track I'm sharing with you today. It's got a southern gospel feel in the Melody, something I'd fully expect to rub off on anyone residing down in NOLA, mixed with a girl-group stomp. Oh, and lots and lots of handclaps. Again, her skills with loops and layering are superb -- even if you can't see it for yourself, hopefully you can at least try to picture each separate piece in your mind. Be patient though, eventually you will be able to see how it plays out as she'll be touring extensively in the near future. Dates at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theresaanderssonmusic

I'm actually kinda surprised to see that the hype on her is kinda subdued so far, but then again, all too often it's the best music that goes ignored. Pity!

Theresa Andersson - Birds fly away

Dogday
AM/PM EP
Shout Shout Shout

No use sugarcoating it, this record isn't good. Furthermore, the free download version on their website is even worse. What's up with the useless splash page? And the background music you can't turn off? Gratuitous animation you can't skip? And then to download one track at a time? Oh, and don't try navigating to another page while it's working, it'll cancel out leaving you to begin the whole damn exercise all over again. What I'm saying is, don't bother. Sometimes free isn't really free.

As for what you're "missing", Dogday plays post-punkish indierock hampered by a weak vocalist and a lack of melody. They aim for detached cool and end up boring. The shit mastering job doesn't help, it's just as flat and lifeless as the songs. Avoid.
- Avi Roig

MP3: The Amazing - Dragon

Here's some good-time summer vibes for you courtesy of The Amazing, a new-ish Swedish act featuring members from Dungen, Granada and The Guild. It's all about that lazy acoustic strum, that languid Melody line in the two lead guitars (best appreciated with headphones) and the soft, understated vocals. So mellow, so sweet, perfectly paired with a cold beverage and a few bites of ripe summer fruit (your pick). I imagine these dudes probably even look as retro as they sound, but I'm not sweating it. I'd rather just lay back in the shade of the elm in my backyard, forget my troubles and turn up the music. Keep an eye on these guys, there's an album on the way soon.

The Amazing - Dragon

MP3: The Deer Tracks - Slow collision

This track is all about the wordless refrain. It sucks you in on the first listen, at least that's the way it worked on me when I heard it live. The persistence of the Melody burrows it deep inside my skull, though none of the transmutations every match the quiet beauty of the solo voice. On the other hand, the majesty of the full band carrying the line at the song's peak is quite powerful as well. Finally, David Lehnberg has achieved the epic sound he's been searching for! Ariel Kill Him came close, but was bogged down by trying too hard, trying to do too much. The Deer Tracks hold more back and thus are able to go further. Still, as much as I enjoy "Aurora", the record doesn't match the band's live performance. They blew me away at Hultsfred, but they aren't nearly as dynamic or powerful here. I remain a fan, but my enthusiasm has waned ever so slightly.

Hear more/pre-order the album: http://www.myspace.com/thedeertracks

The Deer Tracks - Slow collision

MP3: The Opium Cartel - Flicker girl

One of the perks of running this site that I enjoy most is developing relationships with artists I admire. It's not just interacting via email interviews, but moreso the conversations that go on off the record. Stuff like talking Broder Daniel with Gustaf Kjellvander or even shooting the shit with the dudes from The Swedish Model, discussing the future of physical products. Of course, it's always about the music in the end and so when I get a chance to peep in on the creative process, that's always the best. I'm not much a collector of b-sides and alternate mixes for the most part, but sometimes that really is the best way to get inside an artist's head to see how they work. Moonbabies are a great example -- their songs go through so many variations before arriving at the finished product and it's amazing to hear how many different ways a single piece of music can be expressed. Another great example is Jacob Holm-Lupo and his current project The Opium Cartel. Like Moonbabies' Ola Frick, I get the impression that Jacob labors endlessly in the studio, adding endless layers of instrumentation until he can finally realize the symphony in his head. Ah, the double-edged sword of modern technology! So naturally, when presented the opportunity to share a work-in-progress from him, I gotta jump on it.

If you remember the previous Opium Cartel track I posted last September, this one mines similar territory, though is a bit quieter/folksier. I still hear a bit of the same dark, atmospheric vibe that's in all of Jacob's work dating back to White Willow, however the guest vocals from Rachel Haden (currently on tour with Todd Rundgren, believe it or not) push it closer to Kate Bush avant-pop territory. It starts off twinkly, but slowly progresses into, well, progressive territory. This mix isn't even close to refined so I'm sure the finished version will be even bigger (Jabob: "None of the TOC tracks have actually been mixed yet, and this one suffers a bit from that, as it has like a million tracks"), but it's pretty damn good as-is, so listen up and let your mind fill in the blanks for its as-yet untapped potential. The song and the main Melody are in place and that is what's most important.

Errata: the lineup for this recording is Jacob and Rachel plus frequent collaborator Mattias Olsson (Pineforest Crunch, Molesome, etc.) and flautist Ketil Einarsen (Jaga Jazzist). Expect a late 2008/early 2009 release.

The Opium Cartel - Flicker girl (ft. Rachel Haden)

Svart
Älskade, älskade du EP
self-released

The other day while chatting with my friend about Håkan Hellström, she became frustrated with me when I described the artist as a symbol of Gothenburg, sitting on an icon throne. She laughed when I gave him a simile Halo thing. She contended that we need something in addition than Hellström in this town. The curious coincidence about this; the same day I stumbled on a band that made me say, a new Håkan sound! Is this his little brother that isn't supposed to be like him? (Swedes you get it). No it's not, I am talking about the band Svart, with their EP "Älskade älskade du". These guys are delivering Swedish indiepop, from the generation that grew up with Broder Daniel, Melody Club, The Ark and was influenced by my halo guy above, but also by Bad Cash Quartet and Hello Saferide. A fascinating blend isn't it? And it serves, it serves, it serves! This is as a rowdy popsicle that all of us may want to taste, infinitely, this summer. This EP consists of 5 songs, all good, my favorites is for sure "Elin när hon dansar and Tåget", which makes me think of Per Gessle's "Här kommer alla känslorna på en och samma gång" and Kristian Anttila's "Paul Weller", a great combo. I will bring this EP to the summer evenings with barbecuing and give Svart applause since they are giving us something extra and something original that can be described as Student-life music. Finally, People! We have something more to listen to than "För sent för edelweiss" this summer. This is a sunny-romance, spreading love and delight. 5 songs could be more, I want more! However... my friend told me she likes it. Is this something we asked for? What do you think?
- Therese Buxfäldt

Razzia Records is putting out a compilation on June 18 entitled "There's a Razzia thing going on" which feature various highlights of their excellent catalog. Here's the tracklist:

01. Hello Saferide - I was definitely made for these times
02. Adiam Dymott - Memory loss
03. Konie - My Life Is Shit But I Am Funky (remix)
04. I Are Droid - Blood & Ether
05. Firefox AK vs Laid - Once I was like you
06. Maia Hirasawa - Melody
07. Tripoli - Walk on
08. Säkert! - Det var tre månader sedan idag
09. They Live By Night - Meaningless repair
10. Timo Räisänen - Spill your beans
11. Svenska Kürkan - Besatt
12. The Plan - Stay Awhile
13. Jonna Lee - I wrote this song
14. Mange Schmidt feat. Thomas Rusiak & Eye N I - Håll käften del 2
15. Thunder Express - Switch
16. Tellevika feat. Firefox AK - Eric
17. Ebbot Lundberg & Mattias Bärjed - Coming down cold

MP3: King of All the Animals - Concrete skyline

The tune of "Concrete skyline" by King of All the Animals reminds me of that classic country chestnut "Sunday morning coming down". It's in the lilt of the Melody, the phrasing of the vocals. Guest vocalist TV Smith (The Adverts) has more of a Mike Ness sneer than a Cash or Kristofferson croon, but it makes sense and fits KoAtA's garage-pop sound quite well. It's rough and presumes a life hard-lived, but it's not inaccessible, not in the slightest. However, the thing that's most important is the uplifting, optimistic feeling I get from listening to the track. Even though "Sunday morning coming down" might seem more depressing on the surface, I get the same impression from both songs. They are about new days and new beginnings, examining your surroundings and wanting something more. A perfect spring single, really.

King of All the Animals - Concrete skyline (ft. TV Smith)

MP3: Daniel Savio - 2000 and great

Daniel Savio may be working with Service nowadays under his Kool Dj Dust alias, but I know him best as one of Sweden's leading skweee artists under his regular nomenclature. In fact, he's the dude credited with giving the skweee genre its name, so it's kinda fitting that his contribution of "2000 and great" to "Museum of future sound vol. 2" is one of the best tracks on there. On the other hand, it's kinda hard to pick favorites when every single one of them is so damn good. All those squiggly basslines, those squawks and squeaks - it's impossible to resist. A memorable Melody line is almost superfluous, but it's not like I'm gonna turn it down, y'know? In a genre where it's more important to get bodies moving, any additional songwriting touches put it over the edge. Listen for that dark and bubbly breakdown in the middle and you'll hear what I mean. Like the title of the comp says, this is the sound of the future. I seriously cannot get enough.

Daniel Savio - 2000 and great

Steso Songs has signed with the label Lyckan and will be releasing her debut EP on May 23. Read more: http://www.lyckankommer.se/
As you will note from that link, Lyckan will also release a new EP from Kite featuring Christian Berg (Yvonne, Strip Music) and Nicklas Stenemo (The Mo, Melody Club) on the same date.

MP3: Folk & Røvere - Epp

Perhaps the return of Portishead will have some spillover effect on Folk&Røvere. They do occupy a similar sonic space, after all. Dark and dubby, atmospheric. Funky enough to be called trip-hop, though the tag doesn't really do 'em justice. There's also a definite new age bent that kinda bugs me, but I've made peace with it. The soothing sounds that give you visions of massages, crystals and energy vortexes are counterbalanced by bits of unsettling creepiness. The background noise and chromatic Melody of "Epp" demonstrates that dualism well. I see modern European architecture instead - sharp lines and negative space. A welcome contrast.

Folk & Røvere - Epp