“We Are Men, We Travel Distance” is the name of the duo The Good Legs’ debut album, which was released in September. The band members are Björn Andersson (vocals and guitars) and Elias Sundberg (percussion), who have played together many years before they decided two years ago to start playing live. The music is acoustic with the roots in american folk music, where Björn’s skilful and intense guitar playing is the driving force in the songs’ arrangements, and the closest comparison I come to think of is José Gonzalez and his Junip. At first I missed some breathing space on the album, some dynamics, but the record has been growing with each listen, and I find myself being more and more fascinated with the songs, the melodies and Björn’s variations and fantasy in his guitar playing. Listen for yourself in a song here below.

The Good Legs’ site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Bandcamp

Forty Years

Sara Thuresson, based in Malmö, with her personal, beautiful, piano based folk pop, hasn’t appeared here yet. So I take the opportunity to present her now when she has a new album coming up, “Jag tror det är möjligt”. Well the album is available as a CD already, but I’m waiting for the digital release. Anyway, she has released a few songs, so we can taste the album, among them the duet “Vakna” with Mikael Wiehe from last year, which will now appear on the album. From before you have also the album “Jag säger nu” to enjoy.

Sara Thuresson’s site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Soundcloud

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