Meadow Music

Victor Håkansson and his The Culture In Memoriam are back with a new single, which is also the first peek at the upcoming album “History’s Dust”. It’s an impassioned strike at the hollow values of the adult world, that builds up to a grandiose final where I immediately join them in the chorus. We also get a bonus track in the shape of “Foggy Days In Malmö” where Victor is left alone with his guitar and his intensity in a folkindie-vibing song.

The Culture In Memoriam on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

Philip Larsson and his band Monte Nour are preparing for the release of the debut EP “Into the Light” on Friday. They have released a couple of singles from the EP already, the last one being “Olivia”, which you can listen to here below. It’s a sweet and beautiful pop ballad that reminds me of Paul McCartney, and where Philip is backed by a string quartet which adds vivid, classical warmth. I have also added the first single “Too Confused”, released earlier this month.

Monte Nour – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

The trio Nej, Mirella Hautala, Mimmi Skog and Björn Eriksson, say they are trying to recreate what is happening in the earth’s core. And on the single “Aldrig mer”, taken from the upcoming debut album (release May 11th), it feels like an obvious description. With two distorted bass guitars and drums as heavy as lead they break through earth’s crust and explode in a powerful cloud of magma and ashes, while the guest Carl Westholm’s keyboard sounds swirl around them like black smoke. It’s dark, chaotic and hard, which is underlined by the verses in Finnish, but also astonishingly beautiful. Whatever it is they are up against in the song, it better move aside.

Nej on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

Amanda Mair, Fanny Heikman, Pernilla Söderblom and Kerstin Ljungström form the group Vo PAM and have recently released their debut EP “Human”. The title hints at their lyrics which treat subjects as equality, discrimination and injustice. They also have an outspoken ambition to inspire girls to make music and form bands, which is something we really need more of.

The EP is full of beautiful pop melodies in large airy rooms. They add sparkling guitars and synth lines and often let heavy toms push forward in a sound which ranges from the soaring and dreamy to the sublime. Listen here below to the single “Background Noise” taken from the album.

Vo PAM’s site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music

I wrote about the debut single from Two Year Vacation one and a half year ago, and it seems like they are still on holiday. Tomorrow they are releasing their debut EP “Dresscode: Safari” on the new label Vårø. I wouldn’t say that the savanna is what comes to mind when I listen, but definitely summer, pleasance and carefree days. Basically they have an organic indiepop sound to which they add happy synth lines. It’s stirring and full of contagious cheerfulness, even when they slow down, and these two songs here below will be accompanied tomorrow by another three songs which sound just as great.

Two Year Vacation on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music