A Finnish tango legend and some fascinating Swedish indie artists sounds like an unlikely combination at first. It all started last year when the Finnish artist and songwriter Pentti Viherluoto would have celebrated his 100th birthday. His grandchild Tatu Metsätähti came up with the idea of recording Penttis old songs in new, modern versions and as many of the songs already had been translated to Swedish (by the actor Thure Wahlroos) he contacted his friend, the producer and artist Henrik von Euler. Henrik got involved and together with Billie Lindahl (Promise and the Monster), Rickard Jäverling and Pelle Lindroth (Parken) he started recording. One song led to another and they ended up with an entire album named “Skymningsland”, which is going to be released this November.

The first song “Grändens skymning” is an appetizer which definitely makes me interested in more. It’s a track where they blend the two worlds with synths and tremolo guitars that wrap us in a harsh, Finnish melancholy, a drum machine echoing of the last beats from the old dance floor and dreamy, longing vocals which turn into a warm duet. Listen for yourself here below.
I should add also that the original Finnish lyrics, to this song and the others on the album, were written by Pentti’s brother Aimo.

When Jade Ell looked through the belongings her biological mother left behind, a mother she didn’t grew up with, she found a note which read: “Buy her an accordion – I think she wants to play…”. Many years later after the note was written, Jade had bought not just one accordion but several, and it was through some tones on the accordion the idea to her new single “The Riddle” was born. Rather fitting the song is about life as a riddle, a mystery we’re trying to solve where the solution inevitably escapes us by urging us out on new unknown journeys all the time.

And the song also serves some mystique in a suggestive, dreamy atmosphere emphasized by Stefany June’ reading of the lyrics while Jade’s vocals turns into a reinforced echo of the internal monologue. The song is fringed with dark synth lines, sunny strings and dramatic toms, but there is also a feeling that remains unresolved all through the track, which pushes us towards upcoming events, like in a soundtrack. And that goes hand in hand with her intention of the forthcoming tracks, which she describes as various scenes from her life, where this song sets the ambience.

Jade Ell has earlier released three solo albums and has been involved in several projects, both as a songwriter and as an artist. She is also the singer in the art rock band Xanima which I have written about before.

Jade Ell’s site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

After a long summer break I thought I should kickstart my season with the new single from the powerpop trio Rooni, “Who You are”. They surprise me with a more spacious and more polished sound than before, where glittering acoustic guitars set the mood in the song. Sometimes Tom Petty feels close, but here are also strokes of the sixties and indiepop from the nineties. They say that half the budget was spent on the recording and the other half on pancakes with strawberry jam, so the music video had to be produced with the little resources that remained. The single is the first one in a series of three, to be released this Autumn.

Rooni’s site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

In his solo project Ærheart Jonas Linngård has released a new version of the song “Det liv jag älskar”, originally recorded by Perssons Pack. In his hands the song moves to a quite different atmosphere as he wraps a electronic haze of beautiful melancholy around us. And when Bränderna adds his sensitive and fragile vocals to the track it becomes a heartbreaking experience.

Earlier this year Ærheart also released the single “Howl”. Again he shows us a soft melancholy and another interesting voice in Naphta Sings. It’s a fascinating song with a catchy melodic line that runs through the entire song in different incarnations, in the intro, in the verse melody and in the chorus, repeating without feeling repetivite.

Ærheart on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

Juka Soma & The Future of Chemistry open the door to their new EP with the single “Wild Rover”. The quartet Juka Soma, Nike Markelius, Anna Wallander and Joel Igor Hammad serve a wonderful glammy rock energy which makes me longing for more. Juka Soma is a fantastic song writer and one of my favorite rock voices, and here he’s set the scene for a track that fits the band perfectly with heavy beats, contagious melodies and pure rock’n’roll vibes. If you want to listen to more from the band while waiting for the EP, I can recommend the debut album which was released one and a half year ago.

Juka Soma & The Future of Chemistry on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music