The band Esther, hailing from Växjö, released their debut album “A South Province Letter” a month ago, and to give us a taste of the record they have put the song “Considerations” and a couple of songs more on display. And it tastes good from both the singles and the album; happy, uplifting indie in the borderland between pop and rock with catchy melodies.

Esther on Tumblr – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Wimp – on Soundcloud

The Apartment Years is based in Stockholm and consists of the trio Terje Ökshei, Mathias Edgren and Mårten Fredholm. They formed the band in 2010 and the last year they have spent a lot of time in the studio finishing their first EP, to be released any day now. A couple of the songs from the EP are already available, and you can listen to “Outside” here below, a piece of grand arena-sounding pop/rock.

The Apartment Years’ site – on Facebook – on Soundcloud

On their way to their debut album, which soon will be released, Riff Knives have released the single “Fire”, a chorus-strong song in the same spirit we’ve heard from them before, with their own mix of rap and rock.

Riff Knives’ site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Wimp – on Soundcloud

I haven’t written about the Swedish singer/songwriter Lars Bygdén before, an oversight I of course have to correct. Because if you have created a wonderful album such as his Americana-vibing “LB” from last year, you certainly deserve to be heard. During Spring he also released a video to the album’s starting track, “The Hole”.

It’s a rather varied record with naked acoustic songs to country to songs with a more melodic pop touch, but everything’s glued nicely together with a pleasant, releaxed and warm melancholy, where you can land in a slower tempo, safely guided by Lars’ calm, somewhat sad voice. Enjoyable. Taste here below in a couple of songs.

Lars Bygdéns hemsida – på Facebook – på Spotify – på Wimp

Here’s another band from Göteborg, Seaweed Meadows, with a new single. It’s called “Ruins” and is a taste of melodic, dreamy rock from the upcoming debut album “Echoes of an Avalanche”.

Seaweed Meadows’ site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Wimp