The Kahvi netlabel has a new release from Finnish IDM artist Jari Ylamaki posted for download: http://www.kahvi.org/175.php
Gbg-based all-star hardcore act The Eight Arms Around You (feat. members from The Smackdown, Dead Vows, Anchor, Tsukimono, more.) have posted a couple new recordings on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theviiiarmsaroundyou
The band is actively seeking a label, so all interested parties are encouraged to get in touch!
Kristoffer "Garm" Rygg of Ulver will be touring as a member of international experimental/doom act Æthenor this coming April. Read more about the project here: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=34726270&blogID=370807411
Electronic music webzine Soundscaping has posted a review of the new Sten Ove Toft (Ryfylke) album "Lit de Parade": http://www.soundscaping.net/reviews/163/sten-ove-toft-lit-de-parade-roggbif
Swedish experimental/electronic acts Ved and Metek released a super-limited CDr a few years back and it's now finally available online as a free download: http://www.archive.org/details/MetekVsVed
Niccokick are keeping a tour blog (in Swedish): http://www.niccokick.com/news.asp?newsID=289
Peter Bjorn and John's upcoming instrumental album has been pushed back to fall. As for a new album with vocals, they've already started writing songs and are aiming for a 2009 release.
Swedish artist Alf will release his new album "Tivoliv" on April 9 via Air Music after two albums on Dolores. Samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/alfofsweden
Mental Overdrive's new album "You are being manipulated" will be out in May via Smalltown Supersound.
MP3: Gentle Touch - The view
Songs I Wish I Had Written is doing a great job of leading the 80s pop revival. I don't say that to disparage them either, I'm all for it. I barely even care that Gentle Touch's "The view" cribs a melody from "Policy of truth" by Depeche Mode. It takes serious panache and, despite the odds, I think they manage to pull it off. Gentle Touch keeps it simple: a nice, steady pulsing bassline, some light ethereal guitar; similar enough, but not a full-on rip. More of a homage, if you like. Maybe they'll develop a bit more of their own identity down the road, but for a debut, this is way decent.
Gentle Touch - The view
The latest edition of Pitchfork's "Show No Mercy" metal column features interviews with Disfear and Meshuggah: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/49453-column-show-no-mercy
Now in stock: The Grand Opening - Beyond the brightness
The official release date isn't until April 4, but I'm taking pre-orders and will start shipping them early next week.
Lamont
The golden daze
self-released
Distributed for (free) download on Swedish torrent site The Pirate Bay as well as the band's web site, "The golden daze" tries to be glam pop for the masses, crafted to capture the listener at first listen. Being Malmö based, the band emulates its more successful neighbors, namely The Ark and Melody Club. In this it is successful, but only as an emulation. Despite stabs at punk-laced electro and (oddly enough) swing on the title track, there's not enough originality here to distinguish the band from others. Forgettable as it may be, however, it can also be pretty fun. All tracks are very radio friendly, though none are likely to become radio hits. The production is the album's strongest suit. Aside from a great turn by The Ark's Ola Salo, who gives "Rather do it" (a minor hit in 2006) the kind of behemoth sound that we're used to from these sorts of bands, the rest of the album is produced by Oskar Humlebo (aka Moto Boy). He drenches the band in serpentine rhythms and new-wave synths, which helps to disguise the fact that you're not going to remember many of these songs in a few months. Still, for fans of the over-the-top Malmö based pop sound (like me), there's plenty to like here. Unfortunately, there's just not enough to love.
- Nick James
