stg mixtape #9 - my bum is on the swedish
Hello friends -
I kept noticing one or two Swedish bands creeping into each week’s mix and decided it was about time to just feature a slew of them all at once. I’ve been to Sweden, and actually discovered a few fantastic artists in just a couple days there — from Swedish staples Sahara Hotnights to british rockers Maximo Park, and my personal favorite, Oh Laura who are featured on this playlist.
For those who don’t catch the reference in the title, see about the 1:00 mark here. Don’t blame me ;)
<3 / ∑>
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1. The Sound of Arrows - “M.A.G.I.C.”
Some of you may remember these guys from last week. Their pop mastery is most impressive, especially considering these songs are some of their first to be released. Check out an awesome remix they did of another song from last week’s mixtape, “Animal Animal” by Penguin Prison, here.
2. Mew - “Introducing Palace Players”
I couldn’t possibly make a Swedish playlist without Mew. I discovered these guys early in college and am horribly saddened to say I’ve never seen them live (what I’ve heard is the best part). This track is off their latest, No More Stories Are Told Today, I’m Sorry, They Washed Away. It’s been fun to watch them grow — they’ve always had moments of sheer, unmatched brilliance, but have always struggled to write complete songs. They continue to gain on it, and I’m just waiting for them to break out a smash hit. In the meantime, everything they’ve put out is worth your time. Listen to more here.
3. Existensminimum - “Fuglesang”
Existensminimum’s latest album is incredibly diverse (see the sharp contrast with piano-heavy “1993” from Mixtape #5), but almost every song is rooted in and developed from a piece of history. In this case, it’s a spacey song about the first Swede in space, Christer Fuglesang. Listen to and buy the album directly from the artist here.
4. The Mary Onettes - “Puzzles”
Drawing heavily from 80’s New Wave (think The Smiths & New Order), The Mary Onettes have put out consistently highly quality music for the last 10 years, and only recently have been getting some much-deserved appreciation. Their latest, Islands, came out November 4th, and you can here more tunes here.
5. The Sweet Serenades - “On My Way”
The Sweet Serenades, like most bands on this list, aren’t doing anything particularly original, but they do it oh so well. This duo has been playing together for many years, putting out consistently catchy rock tunes, and finally put out an LP, Balcony Cigarettes, earlier this year. You can listen to more tunes here.
6. The Knife - “Parade”
I love this track from The Knife’s first (self-titled) album because it’s folksy riffs, marching beats, and catchy chorus give you a much fuller understanding of the roots from which their later hits were born, while at the same time remaining cheerier. Check out more from The Knife here.
7. First Aid Kit - “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”
Slowing things down here are a couple of teenage sisters who got their break from their backyard video for this song, a cover of Fleet Foxes, on YouTube. Their beautiful harmonies caught on, and they’ve since toured with Fanfarlo and Port O’Brien, and their debut LP, The Big Black & The Blue, arrives in January. In the meantime, you can listen to more of their beautiful tunes here.
8. Oh Laura - “Release Me”
I first heard Oh Laura in a small record store in downtown Stockholm and instantly fell in love. I went to great ends to get their music (I didn’t buy the CD immediately because I thought I could find it elsewhere for less than the $25 retail price), and felt infinitely rewarded on every subsequent listen. Folk pop greatness with one of the most genuine and heartbreaking voices I’ve ever heard. Listen to more here.
9. Fredrik - “mujina / locked in the basement”
I don’t quite know how to describe Fredrik’s sound, but it’s eery and distant while drawing you inexplicably nearer at the same time. They put out a few EPs and have combined them into a full length release coming out in January. Listen to more here.
10. Bjorn Kleinhenz - “I Hate It When You Go”
Bjorn’s fifth album, B.U.R.M.A., was recorded on the east coast of Sweden, and it should come as no surprise that he owns a rabbit — his songs are furry and cuddly and honest. Or maybe I just like rabbits. At any rate, check out more tunes here.
11. Those Dancing Days - “Those Dancing Days”
Sounding more like a postcard from the 60s than a modern, all-female Swedish pop band, Those Dancing Days have crafted a sound that is timeless and boundless. Listen to more here.
12. Miike Snow - “Plastic Jungle”
You can’t possibly make a Swedish music mixtape in 2009 and not include Miike Snow. These guys are the kings of pop at the moment, and I still can’t understand how they’re not bigger. This track is not one of their most critically acclaimed, but it was one of the first to catch my ear. Listen to more here, and if you don’t own the album yet, for god’s sake, BUY IT!
13. Mille - “Crysteena”
What, you didn’t think you’d get out of a Swedish mixtape without the requisite techno/electro track, did you? I’m not a huge electro fan, but even I love this track. I can’t help but dance. More dancing here.
14. Lake Heartbeat - “Blue Planet”
While last week’s track from Lake Heartbeat was one for crawling under the covers, this is definitely one for cruising to a magical beach, or maybe even swimming through the ocean. Get the track free here.
15. Oriel Joans - “Knuckles Whiten”
Again, nothing too crazy here, just some Swedish folk melodies mixed with beautiful harmonies, but dayum they’ve got that recipe down. They’ve only got one other track out so far, which you can hear here.
16. Bye Bye Bicycle - “Haby Baby”
Like The Mary Onettes, Bye Bye Bicycle borrow heavily from the 80s. Their debut Compass is out now, and you can hear more from them here.
