Morbus Chron EP teaser

Swedish old-school death metal act Morbus Chron have posted a short sample montage from their upcoming 7" EP "Creepy creeping creeps", due out in September via Detest Records: http://www.myspace.com/morbuschronband

Britta Persson - Meet a bear

The new Britta Persson single "Meet a bear" is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/brittapersson

Pitchfork reviews Junip, Ólafur Arnalds

Pitchfork reviews the new Junip EP "Rope and summit": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14341-rope-and-summit-ep/
Also covered: Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds' "...And they have escaped the weight of darkness": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14278-and-they-have-escaped-the-weight-of-darkness/

Sofia Talvik, Mange Schmidt: the new face of Moderaterna

Moderaterna, Sweden's (dreaded) right-wing conservative party, has enlisted the artists Wille Crafoord, Mange Schmidt and Sofia Talvik as the "new" face of the party and the three have created a new party anthem together. Read more: http://www.moderat.se/web/Om_det_funkar_lat_det_funka.aspx (in Swedish)

The Fine Arts Showcase - Tell me I'm something (demo)

The Fine Arts Showcase are streaming a brand new demo track at ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/thefineartsshowcase

MP3: Montys Loco - Heavy

The recent news that Montys Loco are packing it in isn't all that surprising, but it is a disappointment. The sad truth is that their dark clatter and direct, angry feminist posturing remains a difficult pill to swallow for many, leaving them forever damned to the fringes. Running up against that wall of adversity is exhausting and they gave their best. So here's to their legacy and let's hope that they both resurface with new music soon.

Montys Loco - Heavy

Pianomaskinen - Havet och drömmen

Swedish artist Pianomaskinen has posted a new album's worth of material for streaming and/or download: http://pianomaskinen.bandcamp.com/album/havet-och-dr-mmen
Reminds me a lot of Ljudbilden och Piloten, which is to say that I like it.

Balroynigress album preview

Swedish act Balroynigress is streaming a couple new tracks off their forthcoming album "Dress the ship in black", due out in October via Kning Disk: http://www.myspace.com/balroynigress

Mixtapes & Cellmates
Rox
Nomethod

Returning late last year with their proper second record, Mixtapes & Cellmates have improved in every aspect. Whilst their debut and prior EPs were restrained in their reflective qualities, "Rox" sees them invert that. Could it all be the addition of a drummer? Or could it be the leaps and bounds frontman Robert Svensson has made as a songwriter (as evident on his solo debut)? I believe it's that, and the band coming together as a whole. Theor love of early 90s noisy shoegaze is exemplified on songs such as"Soon", "Rain, letters, memories" and "The lesser half of cynical boys", as is the influence of 80s British guitar pop on "Sunday", "All of the above" and "Soft eyes". What set this apart from their comtemporaries whose output may be similar is that Mixtapes take it all a bit further, adding that bit more screeching guitar notes and maxing out their phase pedals. Everything on this has a bit more emphasis, and it all melds together into blissful music.
- Matt Giordano

Satan Takes a Holiday - Heartbreaker (video)

I don't care much for Satan Takes a Holiday as a band, but this new video of theirs is kinda fun. Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHgtv0wvfKg

Masquer tour doc

Masquer made a tour video from their recent trip to Finland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSLr0ZQn51Q
Worth checking out, if only for the soundtrack.

Näääk, Nimo, Rusiak & Adiam - Hur högt?

Discobelle has a new track posted from Swedish rappers Näääk and Nimo together with both Adiam Dymott and Thomas Rusiak: http://www.discobelle.net/2010/06/09/naaak-nimo-rusiak-adiam-hur-hogt/
Apparently the foursome have a new album on the way via Slang Music.

Pitchfork gives high marks to Refused reissue, more

Pitchfork reviews the expanded reissue of Refused's seminal "The shape of punk to come": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14330-the-shape-of-punk-to-come-a-chimerical-bombation-in-12-bursts-deluxe-edition/
Also reviewed, the Casiokids album "Topp stemning på lokal bar": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14303-topp-stemning-pa-lokal-bar/

Adrian posts Tilliander "Show" remixes for download

Adrian Recordings is giving away a plethora of Andreas Tilliander remixes as free downloads: http://www.adrianrecordings.com/default.asp?newsid=274
Contributing artists include labelmates Familjen and Boeoes Kaelstigen as well as Minilogue, Pellarin, Vapnet and many others.

This week's Last.fm chart

Here is the It's a Trap! listening group top 10 artists of the week, unique to our group:

01. Rasmus Kellerman
02. The Bear Quartet
03. Familjen
04. Robyn
05. The Radio Dept.
06. Beach House
07. Shout Out Louds
08. Teenage Fanclub
09. The National
10. Jens Lekman

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/