Göteborg-based guitar-based pop act Out of Clouds will release a new 4-song EP entitled "Into your lovely summer" on June 6.
Richard Reagh has posted a new mp3 and video for free download at his website blog: http://www.reagh.net/
You can now stream four full tracks from Audrey's new album "Visible forms" at the Tenderversion website: http://www.tenderversion.com/
CDs are in-stock and available for purchase right here.
Das Kometen, the solo project of Chris from Hemstad, has posted some new songs for free download: http://www.suchgreatheights.se/daskometen/index.htm
MP3: Popface - In the night
Popface plays sophisticated pop music. In a lot of ways they are the Norwegian version of Moonbabies - the songs are all very well composed and there's not a single misplaced note. Every strum, every noise is deliberate and labored over. Their newest album "Eleven pieces of a broken heart" is largely instrumental which I think only adds to their mystique. It also ensures that the vocal pieces jump out and are that much more exciting. This particular track I've posted today is the one that jumped highest. Hard to believe it's taken me this long to finally hear Popface seeing as this is their fourth full-length record. "Atmospheric art-pop" they call it, I just call it impressive.
Popface - In the night
Went and saw the US premiere of the Danish film "A soap" ("En soap") last night at the Seattle International Film Festival. While not a Dogme film, it employed minimalist sets and production values to let the emotional weight of the screenplay and performances shine through. Very naturalistic and powerful, even with the silly artsy-fartsy interstitial pieces used to mark the sections breaks (think Calvin Klein commercial). Lead actor David Dencik (Veronica) was on-hand to answer a few post-film questions and was extremely amiable and interesting, especially when discussing the lengths he went to understand and research his character. As for the music in the film, it was fun to see a dancing scene paying homage to The Knife and their "Pass this on" video (though "Take my breath away" was the song used). I understand that Landmark has picked the film up for limited US distribution (40 cities), so keep an eye out for it.
MP3: Lemonator - Would you die for me?
Finland's Lemonator has to be one of the saddest pop bands I've ever heard. Even when the music is lush and beautiful, the sentiment is still dark dark dark. The song I've posted today takes it to the melodramatic extreme and I get the feeling that they're not just talking metaphors. The best thing about the song is the way that it builds slowly throughout, always adding an extra little something with each new verse until the apex of the guitar solo. It starts out oh so beautifully with a doubled melodic lead, but quickly turns quickly turns ugly with dirty string bends and blues licks. The pause before that final chorus marks the climax of the piece and the coda of the final chorus vamps just long enough for recovery. Now that's how you write a pop song!
Lemonator - Would you die for me?
TONS of new mailorder stuff due to arrive any moment, but who can wait? I'm making it all available to order right now: [click here]
Not only am I getting new EPs from Hello Saferide and Firefox AK (as well as restocks of both their full-lengths), I'm also receiving the lastest from Oskar Schönning, David Lindh, Timo Räisänen and Peter, Bjorn and John.
Swedish hardcore act The Smackdown also has a new website, although far less nice as its entirely Flash-based: http://www.the-smackdown.com/
Moonbabies have posted five outtakes from "The orange billboard" for free download! Check it: http://www.moonbabiesmusic.com/
Not only are these guys incredibly prolific, but there also so consistently good. I was just listening to an early mix of "Take me to the ballroom" from "Reader's companion volume two" and thinking about how amazing they are. The older version is substantially different than the final version on the disc, but also quite a stunner. Who knows what other gems the vault might hold?
Finnish post-rockers Magyar Posse have posted another track from their new album "Random avenger": http://www.magyarposse.com/musat/mp_random%20avenger_sudden_death.mp3
Read an extensive review of the record here: http://www.decoymusic.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12412
I've only had time to spin it twice so far, so my own personal assessment will have to wait.
Valentine Records has posted a free digital split single featuring Babyslave together with Finnish act Emirate: http://www.valentinerecords.co.uk/download/index.html