Stark naked preview

Check out a short preview for Masquer's next single "Stark naked", due out August 17.

New music from Parker Lewis

A couple new tunes from Swedish indiepop artist Parker Lewis via Playground Music.

Iron Lamb
The original sin
Pulverised Records

The Stockholm crew have taken some flak from the death metal community since they first hit the streets around two years ago and, to be honest, it's understandable in a way. Iron Lamb might consist of three parts Repugnant and one part Daniel Ekeroth, but to say that there's not a hint of extreme metal in "The original sin" is quite the understatement. You can see why the death metallers were plenty pissed, then, as they've probably checked this out on the back of the lineup and been sickened to the bone at the distinct lack of filth. Iron Lamb is punked-up metal that, to these ears at least, is like a slightly more uptempo -- and more technically proficient -- Dog Eat Dog in a lot of places, and often sounds off like a lot of the covers found on Slayer's "Undisputed attitude" album. Despite the obvious potential shown here, from the decent (yet already done to death) songwriting to the musical expertise on offer, "The original sin" fails to hit the highs promised by the involvement of such talent. It's a difficult album to sit through, mainly because of a production that fails to pack the punch it should together with weak-as-water hardcore vocals that lack the vehemence that the music would clearly have benefitted from. This sounds like a band of extremely talented metal musicians who have tried their hand at a simple genre and succeeded in creating something that has been done so much better by so many others in the past. It's a damn shame, because on paper it's a project that I would love to love.
- John Norby

Eboi vs. Gameboii (the mixtape)

The new Eboi vs. Gameboii mixtape is now online and available for free download: http://eboi.se/2011/08/eboi-vs-gameboii-2/
If the idea of Swedish hip-hop backed by bit-pop beats sounds good, you should definitely check it out.

Adam Tensta - Scared of the dark (the remixes)

All of the various remixes of the latest Adam Tensta single "Fear of the dark" (ft. Kleerup, Seba, Owl Vision, etc.) can now be heard via SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/adamtensta/sets/adam-tensta-scared-of-the-dark/

I Break Horses - Winter beats (video)

Pitchfork has the premiere of the new I Break Horses video for "Winter beats": http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/music-videos/1757-i-break-horses/2830-winter-beats/
Also posted over there, a backstage live session with Lykke Li: http://pitchfork.com/tv/sponsors/1755-summer-jammin-with-ice-cream-man-lykke-li/2828-i-follow-rivers/

Safe House Staff är den namnet på bandet

Safe House Staff is a new-ish Swedish hip-hop collective featuring rappers Nimo, Näääk, Mackan, RahBalder and Sexfemman, all well-known solo acts in their own right, backed by DJs Kojak and Lickshot and all based out of Marcus Price and Kristoffer Malmsten's Safe House Studio. They're also sounding quite promising, especially if you dig hip-hop mixed with skweee like I do. Look for their debut EP to be released on September 2 via Slang Musik.

I'm Kingfisher UK tour in September

Swedish Americana artist I'm Kingfisher will be heading back to the UK in September:

09/06 - Dublin Castle, London/Camden
09/08 - Buffalo Lounge, Cardiff
09/09 - The Central Station, Wrexham
09/10 - The Well Inn Festival 2011, Holywell
09/11 - The Telford's Warehouse, Chester

For the love of Gustaf Kjellvander - en hyllningsafton

There will be a public tribute concert for Gustaf Kjellvander (The Fine Arts Showcase, Songs of Soil) at Debaser Malmö on August 23 featuring a host of artists and friends doing their part to celebrate Gustaf's life and art: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=254486701235796

An argument with myself on pic disc

Service is doing a picture disc 12" version of the new Jens Lekman EP: http://srvc.se/jens-lekman/an-argument-with-myself%21

New Chicagojazzen gets release date, sample posted

The new Chicagojazzen release "Brachiosaurus II" has been confirmed for an August 20 release via Native Parts Records. 17 tracks, including "Duane Weber 2" which can be sampled above.

Gimme more than a little something

Peter Bjorn and John created videos for each and every track on their (excellent!) album "Gimme some" and now the whole enchilada is streaming via Pitchfork: http://pitchfork.com/tv/special-presentation/1754-peter-bjorn-and-john/2827-gimme-some/

Air France - It feels good to be around you

Air France is finally back with a new song via Sincerely Yours: http://www.sincerelyyours.se/yours0172.php
More details here: http://theairfrance.tumblr.com/post/8510818931

Örnsberg - Hela värdlen saknar dig (video)

Lo-fi/DIY visuals balanced out by quality Swedish indiepop melancholia. Hear more from Örnsberg here: http://soundcloud.com/ornsbergtinydancer/sets/tiny-dancer

Jens Lekman - An argument with myself (+ new live dates)

Download the title track of the new Jens Lekman EP "An argument with myself": http://www.jenslekman.com/An%20Argument%20With%20Myself.mp3
He's also got a bunch of new live dates:

09/28 - Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, CA
09/29 - California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
10/01 - Columbia, Seattle, WA
10/03 - Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL
10/05 - Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, Washington DC
10/06 - Philadelphia Ethical Society, Philadelphia, PA
10/07 - Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
10/08 - Somerville Armory, Boston, MA
10/09 - Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
10/14 - The Vereniging, Nijmegen (NL)
10/15 - Schumannsaal Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf (GER)
10/17 - Heaven, London (UK)
10/19 - Band on the Wall, Manchester (UK)
10/22 - Södra Teatern, Stockholm (SWE)
10/24 - Jazzhouse, Köpenhamn (DK)
10/27 - Salumeria della Musica, Milano (ITA)
10/29 - Pitchfork Music Festival, Paris (FRA)