Swedish indie pop band Sambassadeur formed in 2003 and by 2010 they had released three albums on Labrador Records. After a seven-year-absence they are back with a new single taken from their upcoming fourth album Survival, which will be out on April 12th on the band's newly launched label European Records. 'Out Of Afrikka' sounds like an oasis of serenity and can quench your thirst for escapism thanks to the jangly guitars and Anna Persson's melodic voice. While waiting for the album you can watch the video directed by Samuel Peterson and filmed at an indoor beach outside Gothenburg. Enjoy!
There is an artist you should follow. There is an album you should check. And - I promise you - you will fall for it. D4RKSTAR is the moniker of Gothenburg based, Swedish musician Andreas Lindh. After a 5-year hiatus from making music, his first solo album Black Hearts (June 2018) came about as a need to express personal feelings and situations. Needless to say, do not expect a "cheerful" album. Do expect, however, to be drawn in a highly evocative album, which blends darkwave, shoegaze and electro with Andreas' smooth vocals. And though most of the nine tracks are on the long side, they are so addictive that you will be asking for a few more minutes of them. 'Louder' is the latest single off the album. It presents a dreamlike, still edgy, soundscape and perfectly balances melancholy undertones with a certain indie pop touch. The single includes a remix by electronica maestro Lønnkrog and gives off nostalgic Depeche Mode vibes. You can check a video for 'Louder' below along with the whole album already available via Modernshortcuts on various digital platforms.
As the year is coming to an end, it is time for Bolywool's final installment in the 'From Void To Matter' trilogy. Volume 3 follows the Swedish band's September release and introduces new elements to the palette, such as a combination of pop-y parts with more artsy and abstract ones. 'The Age Of Entitlement' stands out with its vigour and 'You Are Not Alone In The Universe, I Am Here' is a true anthem, which sums up the stunning EP and trilogy. The EP is available on Bandcamp and Spotify via VÅRØ records. Check it out below!
Bolywool are a shoegaze/post-rock band formed in 1998 by cousins Calle Thoor and Oskar Karlström on the Swedish island of Öland. With numerous releases under their belt already, they have just shared the second volume of their 'From Void To Matter' trilogy. Following the first part, that was mostly improvised in the studio, this volume is an extraordinary continuation of their work with manifold, shimmering layers. The first song takes up from where they left the single 'The Dial' (released in 2010) with brilliant vocals by Julia Bjernelind from Westkust. The three songs create a vivid image of multiple sonic explosions that materialize into an ethereal, highly evocative, autumnal landscape. Volume 3 will be released later this year. A collective vinyl-box of all volumes has also been planned for 2018 to celebrate Bolywool's anniversary of 20 years as a band. The EP is out digitally via Swedish indie label VÅRØ.
Listen and get transported below.
RHEYA is the solo project of a Swedish dream pop artist, who first made his appearance in 2014. As his moniker suggests, his music is influenced by earlier Wild Nothing records, but RHEYA succeeds in creating a dreamy world of his own. Drenched in laid-back synths and unique vocals, his songs have not left my mp3 playlist all this time. On March 3rd his EP 'Union' was re-released through VÅRØ, an independent Swedish label, and it is enriched with 'Gold' and 'When No One Else Is Around', two more recent tracks. The Union EP is available to stream/buy on Bandcamp and Spotify. Check it out below.
Sister Electra is the brainchild of Swedish musician/producer Stefan Eriksson. Despite his own musical roots originally within punk and heavy metal genres, in the late eighties he was drawn towards the electronic music scene. Throughout his career, Eriksson has been involved in an impressive amount of different bands/projects, released records and toured around the world. He recently started collaborating with the newly-founded label Modernshortcuts, who are releasing his new single. FP2T is happy to be premiering 'Down By The Park', a melodic synth-drenched track that sounds fresh and at the same time reminiscent of past decades' music. The single will be officially released on 31/01/2017 and will also include an alternate version, 'Unconscious By The Park'. Check out 'Down By The Park' below!
Follow the Sea is Erik Solfeldt and Magnus Lundgren's noise pop band from Stockholm. The Swedish duo released two EPs, in 2013 and 2014, and spent 2015 preparing their first full-length album. Blue Joy will be released digitally and on 12” vinyl on May 25th via Häxrummet Records. The first track off the album is called 'Virhe' and it's an ethereal blend of electronica and the Scandinavian melancholy without excluding the band's shoegaze inspirations. You can check out 'Virhe' and pre-order the album below.
August, Emil, Oliver, Viktor and Philip are sunflowerheads, a Swedish shoegaze band, which was formed in the beginning of 2015. Late in the summer they published their first track Tired Eyes and they are about to release their debut EP Yarn. Distorted guitars and hazy vocals make up a sound that do not remind of cold southern Sweden where these guys come from. 'Yarn' is a promising debut that will have you anticipating more of their music. Listen to 'Yarn' below and stream/pay what you like the rest of the EP below.
Ever wondered what the Swedish twilight might sound like? Well, here's a band that will give you a good example. Skymningar is Christian Augustin (Totalt Jävla Mörker), Pär Isling Poromaa (Väärt) and Anders Winterstam (So.So.) and they make beautiful synthpop.
"An autumn evening in Umeå. I cross the bridge leading to the city. The train tracks are northbound. The announcer from the station has no audience. The sun sinks into the horizon, leaving people in uncertainty. We have a cup of coffee and start creating music. Outside the balcony window a shadow world is emerging. That is what we are trying to make music about, and escape from.", says Pär. Their debut self-titled EP was released a few days ago and it contains 4 synthpop tracks, that will lift from you any burden of an overwhelming reality.
You can stream/buy the EP on their Bandcamp and watch the official video for 'Sisyfos' below.
Swedish band The Mary Onettes don't need many introductions. Following their recent U.S. tour they released a new track 'Ruins' on American label Cascine. The song follows the 80s' inspired dreamy line of their latest mini-album 'Portico:' and features guest vocals of Selebrities' Maria Usbeck. Philip Ekström's ethereal vocals seem to find their completion in Usbeck's and supplement synthy melodies to create a brilliant, atmospheric pop song. 'Ruins' is available on all digital platforms. Share them below.
RHEYA is the solo electronic project of a Swedish artist who keeps his identity well hidden. However, he fails to do the same with his music talent. Last year he made his debut with his EP UNION and yesterday he dropped a new song off his upcoming EP expected later in the summer. 'Franchise' has vocals so dreamy and synths so soothing that you will want to play it again and again and again. You can have a listen and download the track here.
Eternal Death is the latest addition in Swedish indie label's, Labrador, list of artists. Elin Berlin and Johan Angergård make up the synth pop duo from Sweden who have just released their debut self-titled album. Today we present you the video for 'Violence' made by Jonas Börjesson of the Video Dept.. In Berlin's words, 'Violence' is about "the dark life. About searching for something, anything. Always afraid of not doing enough, being enough. The feeling of total tranquility, almost paralysis, in the midst of hectic stress and excitement." A fiery display of colours and images matching the explosive vocals and synths. Watch the video below.
