This is a bluesy/ poppy sound that feels light and fresh. Has been signed by Universal Records so world domination is likely to ensue shorty. Check out here.
Category: Swedish Music
First Watch: Little Majorette ‘Never Be The Same’
Live: Lykke Li at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Despite living 10 minutes away from the Shepherds Bush Empire where Lykke Li played tonight, I still managed to get there late enough to only find space to stand on the top tier of this bigger-than-it-seems venue. I wish I came earlier. First I heard of Lykke Li’s music a few years ago I found her a bit scary- just because it was a bit dark and intense for me. But then I saw her live some time ago and saw the vulnerability of her songs and fell in love.
Tonight was mostly stuff from her new record (Wounded Rhymes), and there was some serious attention to detail with the staging of this gig… Very good.
New Music: Beldina
New Music: Shallow Sense
I get asked sometimes how I pick who to feature on this blog. Most of the time I’ll listen to all the music I get without knowing who’s behind the songs, and pick the ones I like the most. Then I’ll find out who they’re by and do a bit of research.
The thing that amazes me the most is that whenever I do this, I end up with one or two songs every time that are outstanding and most likely to be by Swedish acts. That’s why I’ve set up a Swedish Music page on here- they just get it right! This is Shallow Sense. They have a very strong sound, mixing some electro in a Miike Snow (another Swedish talent) style with indie. Check out here.
Rasmus Faber – Hidden Thoughts feat. Frida Sundemo
I’ve been having a pretty terrible week but I guess the silver lining is discovering more and more about Frida Sundemo and that makes me happy.
New Music: Tove Styrke
New Music: Vanbot
If you like Robyn then you’ll probably love Vanbot. Makes me wanna go back to Stockholm so bad. Check out here.
New Music: Frida Sundemo
Spot the hip hop difference
One’s a huge MC from the UK, the other from Sweden. Both have massive followings and raid the charts in their own countries constantly. Both released albums last year. Both signed to the same label ( I think). Petter and Professor Green.
Little Majorette release cute new single
Overflow is the first single from Little Majorette’s upcoming debut album “Rifle Heart” (Sweden Music/Universal Music, April 2011). Check out here.
First Listen: Robyn feat Teddybears ‘Cardiac Arrest’
Teddybears have previously worked with Robyn on ‘Cobrastyle’ from *that* album which shook the pop world crazy side. They’ve collaborated with her again on ‘Cardiac Arrest’- it’s got a cheeky upbeat poppy vibe to it which is just perfect to listen to on one’s birthday! Buy it here.
Stockholm: Melodifestivalen & Schlager
I went to Stockholm this weekend to watch the Melodifestivalen final, Sweden’s biggest TV show and a dream-come-true for any Eurovision fan. It was also a good excuse to check out Sweden. Stockholm was way bigger than I imagined it to be, and just take a look at the place we stayed in!
Melodifestivalen was at the Ericsson Globe Arena (known for hosting Eurovision in 2000), which is a giant ball shaped venue that is absolutely huge on the inside. The winner of the show goes on to represent Sweden in Eurovision- this year it was this song by Eric Saade:
Pretty spectacular, albeit the lyrics are a bit on the weak side… But judging by the bars and clubs around town, it seemed that this song by Danny Saucedo (which came runner up) was the favourite amongst Swedes:
After the show we went to a Melodifestival party at a club tucked away in a really odd part of the city. One of my favourite songs from this year (which didn’t get through to the final) was this tune by Jenny Silver:
It was heaven. Now back to the real world and new music! More pics on Flickr.
First Listen: Lykke Li ‘Wounded Rhymes’
Click here to listen to Lykke Li’s new album, Wounded Rhymes, in full before it’s release next week.
New Music: The Pusher
This is a bit huge in Sweden at the moment, and I can totally see why. How do the Swedes get it so right so much of the time!? A rock/pop vibe with a big big sound. Check out here.
New Music: Den Svenska Björnstammen
Some Swedish pop now- title to the track roughly translates to ‘everything will be good’, or maybe ‘everything will be OK’… Even if you can’t understand the words it still kinda makes you feel good! Check out here.
First Listen: Erik Hassle ‘Are You Leaving’
Erik Hassle, one of my favourite Swedes of late, is previewing his first new single here (wait for the Swedish ad to finish then it plays straight after). It’s out in Sweden tomorrow. It’s excellent. An electro transition from the older Hassle stuff. Love it. Nothing this man does is wrong at the moment.
A bit of shameless Swedish pop…
Click here to check out Lena Philipsson’s new single, ‘Idiot’. It’s a really classy bit of pop, very mellow but upbeat at the time. It’s not had great reactions but I like it. If anything, I just love the way she sings ‘Idioot’. I might start saying that now. Lena is a huge pop institution in Sweden by the way, she’s been around for a crazy amount of time, and she’s represented Sweden in Eurovision.
Living the dream…
I really like the Looptroop Rockers. I’ve mentioned them before on here, they’re Swedish hip hoppers with impressive things to say. This song makes me happy a little. Be happy yea.
Mashup: Robyn vs Oskar Linnros
This is a mighty little mashup from two of my favourite songs of last year: Robyn’s ‘Dancing On my Own’ and Oskar Linnros’ ‘Från Och Med Du’, which was one of the reasons I decided to throw myself into Swedish school. It’s just a cute mix.