Burning Hearts - Burn burn burn
"Burn burn burn" is the new single from Finnish indie act Burning Hearts, coming off the band's 2nd full-length album "Extinctions" which will be released on February 1 via .
Cleaning Women - E1
At long last, new music from Finnish artists Cleaning Women, out now on 12" vinyl and only available for sale at live shows. Go see the band on their 15th anniversary tour: http://www.cleaningwomen.com/
Dusted reviews Poing and Maja S.K. Ratkje
Dusted reviews "Wach Auf!", the new collaboration album featuring jazz/folk trio Poing (aka bassist Håkon Thelin, saxophonist Rolf-Erik Nystrøm, and accordionist Frode Haltli) and experimental artist/vocalist Maja S.K. Ratkje: http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6862
Spleen United - Days of thunder (video)
"Days of thunder" is the latest single from Danish act Spleen United.
DFX on SoundCloud
The Skull Defekts are now up on SoundCloud and have a new, as-yet-unreleased track streaming in addition to a bunch of other stuff. More: http://soundcloud.com/the-skull-defekts
Thåström - Beväpna dig med vingar
No idea if this will get taken down or what, but here's the brand new Thåström single "Beväpna dig med vingar" which just premiered recently on SR P3. The official release date is January 23.
Simian Ghost - Wolf girl (video)
The video for Simian Ghost's new single "Wolf girl" is streaming at NME: http://www.nme.com/nme-video/simian-ghost---wolf-girl/1379319225001
The Amazing
Gentle stream
Subliminal Sounds
There's some inherent complicity in this record that triggers a violent uneasiness. It's like it's 1972 and I'm one of those kids who are sick of the soft-pop chart hits of Fleetwood Mac, America, fluffy brown hair & equally revolting album covers (however radical these folkies were in their own right). Halfway through listening to The Amazing's "Gentle stream", the overall one-beat homogeny gives birth to a nihilistic urge to shake things up. Now, if I could goddamned be like everybody else, especially the hip Scandy radio-pop listening public, this cauldron would probably just spill off the decks like almond milk; the super gooey melodies and the Air-like retro sexing mood perfected by obviously professional musicians doing it up professionally -- probably wouldn't hurt so bad. Already celebrated Dungen members serve up what can be viewed as a Seventies itch they needed to scratch, or a chance to break the market with another kind of popular. Title track, "Gentle stream" has the cushy opening déjà vu of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young while the following track has more of that Nick Drake, laid-back reminiscence. Track 3, "International hair" hints at a Morrissey chorusing style (an uncanny reminder of "...International Playboys", anyone?). "Gone" however, could annoy even those loving the most introverted croon as it teeters too much on the side of breathy repetition. However well-produced this album is, however deserving of fans of the NME or just willy-wet twee folk revivals -- as for me, count me out.
- Ann Sung-an Lee
More Refused reunion stuff
The official Refused reunion press release: http://officialrefused.com.preview.binero.se/
More dates will be announced besides Coachella, keep an eye out.
Asta Kask to Spain
Asta Kask are heading down to Spain for some shows in April:
04/19 - tba, Madrid
04/20 - Gaztetxe, Arrasate-Mondragon
04/21 - Edaska Rock Club, Barakaldo
04/22 - tba, Lleida
Refused to reunite for Coachella
Looks like the Refused reunion you pretty much expected to happen someday will indeed occur at this year's Coachella Festival: http://pitchfork.com/news/44978-coachella-announces-lineup/
Maybe they'll even tour with At the Drive-in to rake in some serious cash from dudes who grew up in the 90s. Anyhow, other Scandinavians playing the fest include Swedish House Mafia, Miike Snow, The Hives and First Aid Kit.
Rune Grammofon release schedule update
Here's an update on 's release schedule for Q12012:
01/20 - Bushman's Revenge - A little bit of big bonanza (CD/LP)
01/20 - Bushman's Revenge - Never mind the botox (LP)
02/17 - Motorpsycho with <>Ståle Storløkken - The death defying unicorn (2CD/2LP)
03/02 - Astrïd - High blues (CD)
03/02 - Volcano the Bear (UK) - Golden rhythm / Ink music (CD/LP)
03/16 - Susanna - Wild dog (CD)
Faråker - Stå på tå
Still digging back through my pre-holiday emails, here's a nice little pop tune from an artist named Faråker.
Psychic Stunts - I don't have Facebook (video)
A new single from Swedish pop duo Psychic Stunts. Official release party tonight at Lilla Hotellbaren in Södermalm Stockholm.