Friska Viljor relased their fourth album “The Beginning of the Beginning of the End” during spring. If I felt that the last album “New Beginnings” was a little more restrained than the previous “Tour de Hearts”, they are pretty much unleashed this time. Armed with horns and a range of instruments, it’s full speed ahead from the start.

It’s party, it’s sing-a-long, it’s dancing in the streets (yes, there’s even waltz), but also space for reflection and variation. Overall a positive album which touches my impression that this is their best album so far.

You can listen more on Spotify or on Soundcloud. You’ll also find them on Facebook. Here’s the starting track “Larionov”:

Larionov

Niklas Krig is working on his debut album now, and as a first taste of the album, he has released three tracks we can listen to. Three songs with different characters, but with a common mellow pop ambience overall. Listen to two of the songs here below.

You can listen to more songs and follow Niklas on Soundcloud and on Facebook.

Beat My Drums
10 Miles

Before, Liz-Marie was part of the duo Tylöflickorna, but is now heading for a career as a solo artist with a somewhat different style than earlier.

She has recently released a number of songs which you can listen to on Spotify, or on Myspace.

It’s about singer/songwriter-pop in Swedish which also feels very Swedish, which you can hear in the track “Bitter”:

Bitter

“Think about Leonard Cohen, Elliot Smith and Bob Dylan. Take away 51 percent caducity, two strings and add a new millenium”. That’s how Jonas Asker is described in a mail I received, and yes, I can certainly hear in the music where his roots are. The question is if he has the voice to stand out and touch someone in a crowded genre such as singer/songwriter?

And I really think he has. The somewhat draggy, bright, young voice cares for the words and paints beautiful emotions in the song “This Day”. If I also listen to the three-track EP, from last year, I find an interesting variety in the songs and in the way of singing.

You can listen more on Jonas Asker’s Facebook page or on Bandcamp. Here is “This Day” as a download and as a video:

This Day

Instead of Lions consists of Mattias Jones Johansson (guitars) och Rikard Frejgrim (vocals, bass guitars), both former members of the band Naked. They have recently released a single with three songs, which is, from what I can see, their first official release.

Anyhow it’s about three beautifully built songs, with melodies and hooks that stick, all set in a nice rock sound. Rikard Frejgrim’s voice reminds me somewhat of Ric Ocasec’s, also in the way he sings, which gives the songs an extra, special flavour.

Listen more on Spotify or on Myspace.

I Wish It Never Turn Monday