PopMatters reviews the US debut of Norwegian jazz/folk act Farmer's Market and the album "Surfin' USSR": https://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/farmers-market-surfin-ussr/

Vapnet
Döda fallet
Hybris

"Döda fallet" received mixed reviews in Sweden upon its release. Expressen (one of Sweden's biggest newspapers) gave it the rating two out of five and called it "unimaginative" and "colourless". Most of the reviewers seem to have liked Vapnet's previous album "Jag vet hur man väntar", but then failed to be impressed by "Döda fallet". This was my initial reaction too, I just couldn't get into the album and it kind of bummed me out since their previous releases are like children to me. But then after I've listened to it for a week, I came to realise that I really loved it (it was like slow and repetitive hypnotism). When I told a friend in Sweden about how great I think the album is, he turned up his nose and told me that "in Sweden only fourteen year old girls listen to Vapnet" (ouch!). I don't know what the general consensus is, but it's a shame that Vapnet aren't bigger than what they actually are in their native Sweden, since they're one of the best bands to surface in the last few years. "Döda fallet" contains a bunch of slower songs and quite a few poppy ones, and they're all brilliant with ace melodies. After I'd decided to give the album the above rating I made myself listen through it once more, just to see if there were any crap songs on it that I'd miss, but there weren't any. They're all top notch! I'm very relieved and glad to be able to say that Vapnet with "Döda fallet" are even better than before (and I feel sorry for above mentioned friend and all the other people who fail to see their greatness).
- Simon Tagestam

PopMatters is not too stoked on Peter Morén's solo album: https://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/57773/peter-moren-the-last-tycoon/

Juvelen
1
Hybris

More than a year after issuing his debut EP, the mighty (and yes he's mighty already) Jonas Pettersson has finally released his debut full-length under the Juvelen moniker. Entitled "1", it is so, as his debut album, and also, one of the best flat-out pop albums I have heard in years. The strange thing about this album though, is that each of it's ten songs could be a hit single, yet it retains a cohesive feel that a singles collection does not. Every track is a stand-out, however, for the skeptic I'd recommend "Money don't talk", "Don't mess" and "Everytime" to win you over. His seductive, synthesizer heavy pop/r&b hybrid could—and should—elevate Juvelen to being a global household name.

It's pure pop perfection will make you smile, and dance, and smile and dance.
- Matt Giordano

PopMatters reviews the new DiskJokke record "Staying in": https://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/56236/diskjokke-staying-in/
Also covered: the new Borko album "Celebrating life": https://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/borko-celebrating-life/

Marybell Katastrophy
You are the two
Merger

Building off the demented amalgamation of space-rock, Björk, and industrial-tinged electronica that was present on "This is the one", Danish oddity Marybell Katastrophy has crafted another challenging, yet abundantly rewarding EP. "You are the two" is as difficult to portray with language as its predecessor, if not more so, lavishly borrowing vehicles of expression from almost every popular contemporary genre: electronic arrangements that amble along like Four Tet and other times prowl despondently, evoking early the Cooper Temple Clause; songwriting that at times feels akin to the masterfully bizarre work that Astrid Swan accomplished on "Spartan picnic" - see: "Nightwalk" - only later to feel more like a dangerously unhinged, "Amnesiac"-era experiment - see: "Silence"; even the stand-out track "Hidden agenda" seems indebted not only to the strength of Marybell Katastrophy's songwriting, but Czech electronic artists Khoiba and British prodigy Patrick Wolf's ability to congregate darkness with pop sensibility. Out of all of these myriad approaches and sounds, Marybell Katastrophy brings a powerful sense of coherence and lucidity, similar to the way the Notwist and Slaraffenland are able to explore numerous avenues without making their albums feel like a series of detours. If "This is the one" put Marybell Katastrophy on my radar, "You are the two" finds me pleading for a full-length effort to place high up within my Best of 2008 list.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

PopMatters reviews the new album "Korven kuningas" from humppa metal act Korpiklaani: https://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/56892/korpiklaani-korven-kuningas/

Peter Morén + Tobias Fröberg
Live @ Mercury Lounge, NYC, 4/21/08

Having arrived with Mr. Fröberg's set about half over (and being unfamiliar with his music), I had to summate what he was all about from an approximate 15-window. I found his (what I saw) of his set to be enjoyable, most notably the song "She is becoming her mother again" off his new album. However, Peter Morén was soon onstage opening the set with "The last tycoon"'s centerpiece "This is what I came for". From there we were treated to a set comprised of songs from said album ("Le petit coeur", "Social competence") as well as songs from his day-job ("Goodbye, again or", "Paris 2004"). The energy was very high considering his debut's more mellow outlook, and the songs really took a new life that should cast any doubters in his favor. The real highlight though, after giving a back story about how he began his music career, was a barn-burning rendition of the Buddy Holly masterpiece "Oh boy" -- and I left with that sentiment.
- Matt Giordano

Hiawata!
Blacks on blondes EP
SellOut! Music

This light, energetic release from Hiawata! is nothing if not fun and to the point. Layered harmonies and a love of percussion are noticeable throughout, and the whole thing is over sooner than expected. The premature ending is a shame too, as the songs sparkle with personality and humor. Kicking off with the gentle and energetic "Love you like an animal", the "Blacks on blondes" EP plays darker lyrical themes with dismissive, upbeat sounds. With convincing vocals and a bluesy rock feel, it could form the basis of a soundtrack to a coming-of-age surf movie set in the 80s. "Shake it off" is the final and stand-out track of this entirely too-short EP, leaving you wondering what else these boys could do if they were only given the chance.
- Rhiannon Elston

PopMatters reviews Norwegian artist Silje Nes: https://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/silje-nes-ames-room/

Paper Thin Walls drops a track review on Lykke Li's "Little bit": https://www.paperthinwalls.com/singlefile/item?id=1547

Keith Canisius
Ferris wheel makeout
Quince Records

There's no escaping the My Bloody Valentine comparisons with "The sea me, feel me", the opener of Rumskib composer Keith Canisius' debut solo effort. But with other examples such as "Naïve struggle" also available to the listener, it seems somewhat unfair to solely refer to Canisius as yet another Kevin Shields' disciple. It's undeniable that "Ferris wheel makeout" is strongly influenced by Shields' songwriting and production, but there are numerous departures from the crashing waves of delay-saturated guitars and soft vocals. The electronic drum arrangements allow Canisius' songs to feel focused in their quicker tempos, funneling the dreampop, shoegazer instrumentalism into digestible avenues -- especially apparent on the song "Watching old films with new eyes". No matter how overwhelming the keyboards or guitars become, Canisius never lets his compositions slip out of control. While the songs do meander at time, the fact that a listener is left with some sense of coherence at the end of any given track is a testament to Canisius' ability as a composer.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

The Silent Ballet reviews the new album "Studio 1" from Rune Grammofon act Box: https://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/1324/Default.aspx

PopMatters on the US release of Robyn's self-titled album: https://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/57428/robyn-robyn/
Also reviewed: El Perro Del Mar's latest: https://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/57750/el-perro-del-mar-from-the-valley-to-the-stars/

Moto Boy
s/t
Songs I Wish I Had Written

By his own admission, Moto Boy sets out to redefine your perception of what one man can do with a guitar. With an impressive and androgynous vocal range, he does indeed push the envelope, embarking on some surprising twists and turns as he navigates the length of the album. Dreamy at times, defiant at others, the songs sometimes fall into a self-indulgent experimental style that are testing for both the artist and the listener. For the most part though, the songs are curious, well crafted and caressing. "I miss you baby" and "Blue motorbike" are both rhythmically strong, pop focused and radio worthy. The oddly named "U" is a striking and beautiful addition. For an artist reported to take the stage dressed in drag with a nasty black metal guitar, this album is unexpectedly gimmick-free, demonstrating the full force of talent behind the act.
- Rhiannon Elston