Here are some pearls for songs that I didn’t have the time to present in the Autumn. It’s one half of the duo Wan Light, Krister Svensson, who in his solo project do something completely different. Instead of the rather big productions from Wan Light he’s completely alone with his guitar here, in recordings that are not polished at all, but retain that live vibe, like if they were taken from an intimate gig. To me the result is mesmerising where he with his wonderful presence, warmth and closeness capture my attention completely. He writes that an album is coming up in Spring, where he also willl add songs written to photos taken by photographer Bengt Alm. When he’s solo he also calls himself Harry Clinich, and presently I’m not quite sure which artist name he will choose for the album. Here are three of the songs he’s uploaded as a first taste.

Krister Svensson på Soundcloud

The Plastic Pals

Mathias Melo – “My Friend the Freedom Fighter”

Mathias Melo is a new musical acqaintance for me, one who has just released his first single, “My Friend the Freedom Fighter”. It’s an inspirational, sunny singer/songwriter pop with a lovely rhythmic acoustic guitar playing, and an interesting voice from Mathias.

Fou De Toi – “Dreams”

Today Fou De Toi release the second single from their collaboration with the producer Ronald Blood. It’s called “Dreams” and is yet another example of their exquisite sense of catchy pop melodies.

The Plastic Pals – “The Final Remedy”

Tomorrow The Plastic Pals release the single “The Final Remedy”. The song is taken from their excellent second album “Turn the Tide”, launched last year. Great groove on this catchy tune which send me vibes of powerpop, new wave and garage rock and a breath of the era around the end of the seventies/the beginning of the eighties.

Simian Ghost – “Echoes Of Songs (For Trish Keenan)”

And here’s another piece of wonderful dreamy indie pop from Simian Ghost in the song “Echoes Of Songs (For Trish Keenan)”. The song is a tribute to Trish Keenan, former singer in  Broadcast, who tragically passed away three years ago.

The band Simone Says, hailing from Göteborg, released their debut album in December: a collection of songs with a smooth jazz-influenced pop, in a style I’m more used to hear from American bands than Swedish. They excel here, though, on a record that grows with each listen, with songs that circle around Camilla Bakke, her piano and her wonderful presence in her vocals, finely varied and coloured with violin and guitars; acoustic as well as electric ones. The seventies feel close and my thoughts go to artists like Carly Simon, Carole King, Billy Joel and to some extent Joni Mitchell. Beautiful melodies and a good variation between the groovy and the delicate on an album that feels as bright as a laidback, sunny sunday morning. Here are a few songs I have an extra soft spot for:

Simone Says’ site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Soundcloud

Here’s a collection of songs “Sju små sagomelodier och en låt som mest är som ett ljud” recorded already in 1996 by Eric Malmberg, but previously unreleased save for a small CD-edition. All is recorded on a portable cassette studio with organ, drumming on a guitar, a tambourine and a cymbal. The Swedish folk melancholy runs through these beautiful melodies and the kinship with Bo Hansson (whom he has also performed with) lies close at hand, or why not Mackaper from recent years. Eric is also member of the fascinating duo Sagor & Swing, and has also released five other solo albums. You can enjoy this album in full on Bandcamp, or get it as a cassette tape released by Zeon Light. Here are two fairytales:

We Are Legends

David Josephson – “Drömmaskinen”

David Josephson is a Swedish  singer/songwriter, currently living in Berlin, who with the single “Drömmaskinen” (“The Dream Machine”) takes his first step towards his second full length album. The song, released tomorrow, is a catchy energetic tune whiches breathes of indie pop as well as of classic Swedish pop melodies.

We Are Legends – “Begging For Amnesia”

And now to another catchy track, but more into the electro pop area. It’s the producer duo We Are Legends, based in Göteborg, who have released the single “Begging For Amnesia” with Caroline Ailin behind the microphone. Dance- and radio-friendly, sure, but also with a tasty, seductive arrangement with a great drive. The single comes in ten versions: different mixes, extended version and remixes.

Eluna – “Trädgårdsmästarinnans Tillförlitliga Tillflykt” – EP

Eluna, or Sebastian Josef Karika, is releasing his second EP later this week: “Trädgårdsmästarinnans Tillförlitliga Tillflykt”. It feels like safe refuge for me also as I listen to these four, both ambient and melodically beautiful, creations. It’s easy to get into the garden metaphor when I listen, either by looking through the  window, daydreaming or by getting out, finding a quiet corner in the garden and just admiring som flowers or fruits. It feels bright, calm but still eventful, with the electronic and the organic in symbiosis. Here’s sneak peek at the title track.