Jens Lekman - Erica America (+ new album details)
"Erica America" is the first sample tune from the upcoming Jens Lekman album "I know what love isn't", just confirmed for release on September 3 in Europe, September 4 in the US via /.
PopMatters reviews The Hives
PopMatters is a bit disappointed by The Hives' new album "Lex Hives": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/159409-the-hives-lex-hives/
Zooparty
You must be joking
Devil Records
Zooparty formed in Linköping, Sweden back in '05 and "You must be joking", their third release, is a contemporary pop-punk album that most old-school punks would be crazy not to love on first listen. It has the power and grit of 1970s UK punk with the hooks and slickness of 90s era skate punk. Two icons of the genre, Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Brian James (ex-Damned), contribute their guitar chops to the first two songs respectively, with James appearing again on the final song. Having said that, there is no drop off in quality from track to track and I can't help but think these guest appearances are nothing more than a token of their blessings meant to give the album some extra publicity. Besides, Erik Pettersson, the so-called "creative genius" of Zooparty, more than holds his own when compared to his legendary counterparts. His style reminds me of a young Steve Jones, consistently churning out explosive, catchy riffs that pack plenty of muscle. Petterssons' vocals are exhilarating as well and have an upbeat, tongue-in-cheek charm. The quirky lyrics don't make much sense, but that doesn't lessen the impact of the music. They sound very authentic for a latter-day punk band too, probably because they play each song with such fervent energy and really seem to be enjoying themselves. They don't force it and therein lies the beauty; isn't that what punk was about in the very beginning?
- Doug Ahlgren
MP3: Shadow Shadow - Riviera
New music from Shadow Shadow, a mysterious Swedish act whose membership I am not yet at liberty to reveal, though I suspect some more astute listeners may be able to discern at least some of the components. "Riviera" is but a taste of what's to come -- an entire album is finished, they just need time to figure out how they want to release it and when they do, I will be sure to let you know. Very recommended!
Shadow Shadow - Riviera
Mother of the Forest - Fuck Knugen
Mother of the Forest presents "Fuck the Universe Tuesdays" starting with "Fuck Knugen". The rationale: "tuesdays are the most boring day of the week, but to save the summer from boring tuesdays mother of the forest will release one track evry tuesday for five weeks"
Museum of Bellas Artes - Bear cubs
Pitchfork is streaming the a-side of the new Museum of Bellas Artes single "Bear cubs": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/13708-bear-cubs/
Turboweekend - On my side (video)
"On my side" is the latest video from Turboweekend which they filmed in their rehearsal space and streamed live.
Blessings now streaming
Blessings' debut cassette release "Bittervatten" now available for streaming via Bandcamp, minus one tune. If you dig dark + heavy hardcore, check this out!
Kitty Wu is going places
Danish act Kitty Wu is giving away their new single "We go places" as a free download, no strings attached: http://www.kittywu.com/
Look for the band's new album to be released on August 20.
HOOB presents DynaMike - National hymns
Samples of the new DynaMike album "National hymns", due out (appropriately enough) tomorrow, June 6 to coincide with Sweden's National Day. You like tango? I like tango.
MP3: Pretties For You - Silver lining
Give me an epic indierock tune with expansive pop hooks and a masterful sense of dynamics and of course I'm going to be impressed. It's a formula that can be easily codified on paper, but that doesn't mean it's so easy to replicate, though plenty of Swedish artists -- Magnus Ekelund, We Are the Storm, Pixie Carnation to name a few -- have definitely hit the mark at least once. Now add Pretties for You to the list; the title track of their new EP "Silver lining", just released today via , is a sure-fire qualifier. They take their time getting to the chorus payoff, but it's worth it.
Pretties For You - Silver lining
Henric de la Cour MC now available
Wanna get totally old-school and order a cassette version of Henric de la Cour's latest single "Grenade"? Well, now you can! As for the digital generation, it's also now available via Spotify.
Okkultokrati to support Black Tusk in July
Okkultokrati will be heading out on the road in July as support for Black Tusk and will be debuting a bunch of new material along the way:
07/08 - MTC, Köln (GER)
07/09 - tbc
07/10 - Star & Garter, Manchester (UK)
07/11 - Underworld, London (UK)
07/12 - Winston, Amsterdam (HOL)
07/13 - Juha West, Stuttgart (GER)
07/14 - 59 to 1, München (GER)
07/15 - Cassiopeia, Berlin (GER)
07/16 - 007, Prague (CZ)
07/17 - tbc
07/18 - tbc
07/19 - Truckstop Alaska, Gothenburg (SWE)
07/20 - Slottsfjell Fest, Tonsberg (NOR)
My question is, who's gonna give me a ride out to Truckstop on the 19th?
MP3: Nitad - Rastlös och vild
Straight out the gate on their new album "Rastlös och vild", Nitad is in full-on bulldozer mode, leveling everything in their path with Pissed Jeans-style riffing and unhinged vocals. They pick up the pace for much of the rest of the LP, but I remain partial to these heavy, mid-tempo moments which show the gubbestyrka in full plumage. Easily a top-10 HC release for 2012.
Nitad - Rastlös och vild