I came back from a long run this morning and my wife asked me to put on some music while she made breakfast. "Something mellow, but not a bummer," she said. I put this song and knew immediately that it was the perfect choice. A clear, sunny summer morning and the song stylings of Björn Kleinhenz; it doesn't get much nicer. Have a happy and safe 4th of July everybody!
Björn Kleinhenz - Right on time
Summer tune number #2 comes from what is and what will probably remain one of 2011's best releases, "Gimme some" from Peter Bjorn and John. Just like I said last time, it's an exceptionally solid release the whole way through, so I really could've picked any other tune for posting, but really, I just wanted an excuse to pair "May seem macabre" with Ministry's "So what" because I can't hear the former without thinking of the latter. Not a diss! I just wonder if they've ever considered a live segue between the two.
Peter Bjorn and John - May seem macabre
Okay, summer music time. Even though I've got a summer cold (always the worst!) and the sun isn't shining at all here in the PacNW, I'm about to go on vacation for two full weeks and am looking to get mentally prepared. Not to mention, I need to make playlists for cruising down the coast. So with that in mind, my #1 pick is easy: Kaka. I hate to say the name out loud (still!) and will typically just say "Richard Karlsson's solo project" instead, but there's no denying that his latest album "The two" is my current go-to, good-time party jammer. He's got such a cheap and corny Casio factory-preset sort of sound, but by fully embracing it and taking it to the extreme, he makes it work. The ridiculousness is integral.
"Candyman" is one of the "darker" tunes from the albums I guess, though it's certainly relative -- can't fuck with that Gary Glitter-swing in the beat and that monster chorus, especially the huge buildup before each instance. So while I'm still reluctant to say the name aloud (much like the song name, I suppose), I offer no such hesitance in recommended the music.
Kaka - Candyman
I was originally planning to discuss summer music this week, but it seems a bit inappropriate considering recent circumstances, not to mention the fact that, despite what the calendar says, it doesn't really even feel like summer here anyway. As the clouds build outside, it doesn't really look like it either. Instead, I bring you something new from Walk Through Fire, one the absolute most devastating doom acts I've heard since Abandon. Which makes perfect sense, since the two are related in some way. Anyhow, if you're looking to envelop yourself in the sounds of pure, soul-crushing darkness, look no further. Put this on, turn it up LOUD and be prepared to get fucking bummed.
Listen to the rest of the band's new record at Bandcamp: http://walkthroughfire.bandcamp.com/
Walk Through Fire - Furthest from heaven
No surprise that Veronica Maggio's album "Satan i gatan" debuted at #1 on release in Sweden and stayed there for a few weeks -- it's a fantastic pop record and anyone who disagrees ought to get their ears checked. There will always be naysayers, but sometimes popular consensus really does point to quality.
Veronica Maggio - Vi kommer alltid ha Paris
Hebosagil's new album "Ura" finds them realizing the progression hinted at on their various recent splits (w/Viisikko and Two Beats Off), fully shedding their metal skin and emerging as a dangerous noiserock beast. Still heavy as hell, just in a different way: less low end and screaming leads, more dissonance and jarring rhythms. Still a great band too, now someone just needs to step up and press all their full-lengths to wax (not it!).
Hebosagil - Keskipäivän aurinko
Koko is a new act featuring Emil Lundgren and Sven Johansson and "If I could win" is the first sample of the duo's forthcoming album "K:O". Sven's bandmate Elina Johansson from Dear Euphoria contributes guest vocals here and elsewhere; likewise, Johan Ivansson (Tove Styrke, Erik Hassle) and other famous Stockholm-dwellers lend their talents to other tracks. More details will be revealed in time, meanwhile just enjoy this one song.
Koko - If I could win
Reminder! It's a Trap! Clubnights come to Stockholm tonight at Debaser Slussen with Katharina Nuttall! Of course the time difference means I'll probably still be stuck here at work by time you folks start heading out to drink cold beer on outdoor patios or whatever it is you Swedes do on warm summer evenings, but I'm not bitter about it. No, not at all. In the meantime, let us enjoy a darkly satisfying tune from Katharina's latest record "Turn me on", out now via .
Katharina Nuttall - Falling down
Sorry I've been MIA on the editorial front, but it's probably not gonna change much for the foreseeable future either. While Europe heads into summer slowdown/festival mode, I'm getting more work piled on me than there are hours in the day. However, I do have a list next to me on my desk of artists I'm long overdue to cover and I really am gonna try my best to get through them one way or another in the not-so-distant future. First up, here's a little something from Alouatta off their brand new 10" "DIY EP" (out now via ) where they out-Wipers the Pacific Northwest. No kidding, for all the bands local to me that attempt to emulate said regional sound, Alouatta has em beat in every which way. Seriously, if someone told me these dudes were from Portland, I'd believe them. And yeah, that's an endorsement.
Alouatta - The comeback
Atlas Losing Grip is my summer jam. Earnest, politically-minded hardcore is a rare breed these days, so it makes me pretty damn excited to hear something like this, especially when it's done so damn well. Seriously, has there been any other modern bands besides maybe Lack that do this sort of thing and are worth noting? If they exist, I don't know about them. Powerful hooks and a powerful message, a perfect combo. Bonus points for the Aleister Crowley quote, an inclusion that makes a lot more sense when you know that vocalist Rodrigo Alfaro also runs the label . But yeah, very very recommended! For all the great raw hardcore being made these days, it's really nice to hear something from the other side of the pop spectrum.
Atlas Losing Grip - All in a days work
It's Memorial Day here in the US and I don't have to do any "real" work so I'm not gonna spend any more time in front of the computer than I have to, but I am going to take the time to post a brand new single from ex-Elmo frontman Magnus Ekelund recorded with new backing band Stålet along with a little help from once-reclusive Swedish pop icon Jakob Hellman. Yes, the news as reported back in February was true and now the final result is ready for release via , the label run by The Bells/Jonas Teglund, and will be followed by the full-length album "Svart flagg" ("Black flag") on July 6. The Swedish-literate can read more at Magnus' website, but I suggest just listening and letting the sound of his epic melancholy carry you away.
Magnus Ekelund & Stålet - Utan er (feat. Jakob Hellman)
Relentless, single-minded in the best possible way and extolling the very essence of the mantra "keep it simple, stupid"; this is Paper. And they're also playing at our It's a Trap! Clubnight at Debaser Malmö tomorrow night with Epidemics from Umeå! Don't screw this one up folks.
Paper - Built the system
Just like last time, Ponamero Sundown's new album "Rodeo electrica" kicks off with a total barnburner. While they may sometimes dabble in many of grunge and stonerrock's lesser tropes on other tunes, the drumming alone makes this a must-hear. So what if it's teetering on the edge of showboating, it works perfectly in context and, as far as I'm concerned, if you can play with that kind of drive and energy, you should just go for it.
Ponamero Sundown - Evil wand
Tonight! In Seattle! The US live debut of Asta Kask! Is that for real? Can it be true that it's taken 30-some years for Swedish punks Asta Kask to finally grace our shores? Regardless, I'm incredibly excited for the show, not just because my own dumb band is playing too, but also because it's Friday and it's beautiful outside and I'm just feeling good. However, I must admit that I'm embarrassingly unfamiliar with a good portion of Asta Kask's back catalogue. Thank goodness for the internet though, I know how I'll be spending my day.
Asta Kask - Ringhals brinner
Apparently Nordpolen covers the tune "X-mas Day" by heretofore unknown act Venus & the Octopus on his upcoming LP, which I suppose is quite the vote of confidence for an unproven act. Smartly hoping to capitalize on the publicity, Venus is releasing their own album soon thereafter with the single "Trouville sur Mer" leading the way. And pointing towards good things to come, I'd say too, that is if you likewise appreciate scrappy Swindie with hints of Göteborg's sound of yore. Worth checking out for sure.
Venus & the Octopus - Trouville sur Mer