Fou de Toi is back with a new single, “Don’t Know What to Do”. There’s no doubt about that they again show us that are masters of these infectious, repetitive pop-hooks. I’m a bit ambivalent about the production, though, as I think that they have washed away some of their characteristic dreamy pop-sound by letting fat synths dominate the sound, making it more radio-friendly. There’s certainly a great drive in the song and they have built in some nice indiepop references, so I’ll probably get used to it soon. They have promised a new EP in April. Listen for yourself here:

Fou De Toi’s site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music – on Soundcloud

It’s been a really slow start this year in the blog. I haven’t quit in any way, it’s just that other things have gotten in the way. Well, here’s a new post for you, and then we’ll see.

Half a year ago I wrote about Jonas Carping’s single “The Last Approval”, a single that was a first taste of this album, “Cocktails & Gasoline”. The single track starts the album, and is definitely one of the highlights of the record. This single track showed a larger and heavier rock sound than he has revealed before, and this is a trait that runs through on more songs on the album. Here’s a big span, though, all the way down to the naked folk song, where he’s all alone with the acoustic guitar. No matter the environment he is a something of a rebel, like the rock poet from the street who has jumped up on the Americana stage and shares his life experience with drama and passion, glowing in the darkness. And here he does it better than ever before. Here are three tracks from the album:

Jonas Carpings hemsida – på Facebook – på Spotify – på Apple Music – på Bandcamp

Last year Laakso, with Markus Krunegård at the front, came back with a new single after years of silence. Heading towards their fifth album they are releasing another single today, “So Happy, So Sad”, a great tune which breathes of Swedish melodic indiepop from afar. It’s a wonderful light, airy indie sound with a dash of soul, and a song which catches on at the first listen. A song which makes me so happy. The album “Grateful Dead” is coming up on the 22nd of April.

Laaksos on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

Victoria + Jean

3 Cutting Principles – “Break aWay”

Nicaolai Dunger, Manne von Ahn Öberg and Jonas Nyström are releasing their debut single today for their new project 3 Cutting Principles. They serve an alternative pop with an orchestral arrangement, which they describe as a soundtrack to northern lights.

3 Cutting Principles on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

Moodblanc – “Good Things In Life”

The duo Moodblanc have released the single “Good Things In Life” and the album “Faith” at the same time. The album contains all the chapters in the story with their series of singles. They write that the story started in St Tropez and ends in Rome. Is this maybe the last part of the tale?

Moodblanc on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

Sofia Thelin – “Det är en cirkus alltihop”

Tomorrow on Saturday Sofia Thelin celebrates the release of her third album “Kärlekssång till alla bortgömda trosor” at Victoriateatern in Malmö. As a first taste she has released a video to one of the tracks, “Det är en cirkus alltihop”. It’s a warm and intimate chanson-inspired cabaret pop song which she owns with her personality. The video is created by Mohave Media.

Sofia Thelin on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

Victoria + Jean – “Härligt Sverige”

The Swedish-Belgian duo Victoria + Jean have released an appetizer from their album “Divine Love”, scheduled for release in April. It’s called “Härligt Sverige” and comes also with video signed Corentin Kopp. Captivating, experimental pop with a strong crescendo in the end.

Victoria + Jean on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

Per Störby Jutbring

Per Störby Jutbring – “Dance of the Diaper Fairy”

It’s easy to get impressed by Per Störby Jutbring’s versatility as a musician. I feel it’s almost easier to list what he’s not ventured into. In the autumn I wrote about his excellent film song “Tomorrow“, but here I’m going to present an album he released already last Spring, “Dance of the Diaper Fairy”.

He writes that it’s at the piano he feels most comfortable, and it shows on this album, which consists mostly of solo piano tracks. With a quite personal touch to the keys he’s created a beautiful and intimate session where he mixes minimalistic, melodic songs with free improvisation and also a few wonderful trio collaborations, where he’s joined by Johanna Dahl on cello and Malin My Wall on violin. Here are two examples:

Per Störby Jutbring on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

Conny Olivetti – “Klangwelt / 2016”

Even if the themes and music varies from album to album I do recognize the ambience in Conny Olivettis music. Here on the latest album “Klangwelt / 2016” in a dark, futuristic atmosphere where he lets voice samplings colour and comment upon the theme in question. This time, as I interpret it, it’s about the human rights and the real threats out there in our world.

Conny Olivetti’s site – on Bandcamp

Interzone Inc – “Stories”

And now to another creative electronic adventurer: Interzone Inc. Just before Christmas he released the album “Stories”, a quite enjoyable album where he mixes beat-driven tunes, which sometimes reminds me of old electronica heroes like Vangelis, with dreamy ambient soundscapes. Here are two tracks to taste:

Interzone Inc’s site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music – on Bandcamp