Roth is a Stockholm duo with the two members Julia and Gustav Roth. In December they released their first single “Kings of the Wild”. They call it warm folk pop, which is easy to agree with. A summery and uplifting acoustic indie song.

Roth on Facebook – on Soundcloud

It’s been rather quiet here this week, but I’m going to start it all up again. There’s loads of good Swedish music pouring into my inbox this year, and during the five years I’ve been posting here on Meadowmusic, I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m starting today with the excellent new album from Mackaper, “Mot ljusare tider”.

I wrote about this organ duo, which now has become a quintet, in November, when they tempted us with the song “Staden vaknar” from the new album. In the end of December the record was released, and it was just as great as I was hoping for. With the new members and where the drum machines have been exchanged for real drums, they feel even closer to their roots in music, to the progressive rock with influences from Swedish folk music from the early seventies. It feels inevitable to think about Bo Hansson as an inspiration while listening, and with their exploration of different ambiences in songs with titles that speak for themselves, I get a certain feeling of listening to a soundtrack, just like in the works of the predecessor. Great folk psych, as they call it themselves. Here below, you’ll find the starting track, “Dimma”.

Mackaper on Facebook – on Spotify – on Wimp

Dimma

There’s a beautiful sadness and an enchanting atmosphere on the trio Varg’s debut EP, which was released during Autumn. A cello, a careful acoustic guitar and sweet choirs accompanies the sweeping melodies and reminds me of vast northern landscapes and nature romanticism. Listen below to the beautiful “You”:

Varg’s site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Soundcloud

It’s hard not to get carried away with the rhythm when you listen to Walking With Elephants new EP. Three great songs with wonderfully uplifting bluegrass-inspired folk indie. I think all three songs are just as good, so it was hard to choose only one. You can listen to the other tracks on their Soundcloud page.

Walking With Elephants on Facebook – on Soundcloud

Emil Lager, based in London, plays melodic country and blues on a Telecaster in open tunings, and also a steel-stringed Martin guitar is used for some songs. So far he’s released three songs, and his plan is to record his debut album now in January. Here are two songs.

Emil Lager on Facebook – on Soundcloud