I am fascinated by all artists that succeed in creating their own space for their music in this ocean of music that surrounds us. A small space that, when you hear a song, makes you instantly know who’s made it. Sometimes it is a distinct voice or a specific way of phrasing/singing that does it, sometimes it is a distinct sound or way of arranging and sometimes it’s a specific touch of composing, and so on. And sometimes it is all those things in combination.

Such an artist is Tobias Alba. Perhaps it is his special sense of melody that protrudes in both verse and choruses – that have the hooks to cling in your mind – and in sweet melodies, harmonies and simple riffs. Or perhaps it’s all about his way of singing in an almost careful and tentative way – soft, warm and intimate. Or perhaps it’s all about the arrangements, which are rather naked and where the acoustic meets the electronic in a mix that conveys a special feeling. A slightly melancholic, but still warm, feeling.

You decide – listen and download three of his songs here:

In the City
Lucky nr 13
A Soul For Sale

Visit Tobias Alba on Myspace

Lollop Rose is a six man band with a slightly unorthodox mix: besides guitar, bass and drums – you also find cello and accordion in the band. This is used to create music that is a blend of various influences but still unmistakeably molded into their own great style.

There is a very close and intimate acoustic feeling throughout and they mix songs that have drive and energy with more mellow songs that have a slight melodramatic touch. I get some folk vibes from the verses that are craftily turned into pop melodic choruses. I have to mention David Gustavsson’s vocals that have a strong expression which provides that little extra to make the songs take off properly.

From what I hear, they are even better live. And in a clip from the club Bara Unplugged, you can see some of their stage presence – as well as finally find out what happens backstage. :-)

Listen and download some songs:

Fred
Nothing
This Is It

Visit Lollop Rose on Myspace to listen more and download songs.

Lollop Rose’s site

The Malmö band Juxtapose consists of the two former members of Loud Silence, Simon Bengtsson and Henrik Nilsson.

Their music is a pop mixture with electronica influences. The songs don’t really have those catchy refrains, but the songs in themselves are nevertheless attractive. The music goes on in a nice melancholic groove, with relaxed, cool vocals, and I feel that I don’t want it to stop.

I wonder if the bass melody in “Ghost With a Pretty Face” isn’t inspired by White Stripes? ;-)

Here are three songs to listen to and download.
Enjoy!

Ghost With a Pretty Face
Island Sounds
Is Your Love For Free

Visit the band:
Juxtapose on Myspace

Keep cool,
Jeppe

Today I thought I could invite you to some electronica, The New Heaven Dieppe.
This is more like synth pop, even if they approach ambient in in some songs. My favourite is “Stop” which feels quite nostalgic with a wink at Human League. You can listen to “Stop” below, together with an instrumental song, “Sleepless Nights”. The band says that they are just about to record their first full length album.

Interestingly, the band is not only producing music, they also design and sells clothes. Visit their home page to see more.

Stop
Sleepless Nights

Visit The New Heaven Dieppe på Myspace

It doesn’t happen that often, but when it does I feel great. To listen to a song that hooks me up from the first verse line, and then even better if it comes without a warning. This happened to me the other day as I sat down to listen to “A World to Save” with Golden Kanine, after a tip here on the blog. I was caught instantly by the the melody, the feeling, the style, the voice. And the song, well, it held me there all through and kept me listening. And it is a song without a real chorus and with a trumpet solo (or is it the trombone?) in the middle!

Yes, Golden Kanine is very special, and not only for the strange name :-). When I listen to their first album from 2007, with songs like “7th Sin” and “Absence”, I hear rock with a lot of energy, good melodies, alarming guitars and the special voice and expression of Andreas Olrog, driving and slightly melancholic.

With the two new songs here, “A World to Save” and “Cough” I meet another sound. It’s calmer with an acoustic feeling, and yes, the trombone player Marcus has entered the band.

I really like their former work, but the two last songs has put a spell on me. The band is on their way to record their next album, which is to be released in the end of the year/beginning of next year. I hope you can help me out here by visiting Golden Kanine’s Myspace page and tell them to hurry up, so that we may hear the rest of the songs from the new album.

A World to Save
Cough
7th Sin
Absence