Here’s a new single with Fou De Toi and a new change in their sound. This time they have written and produced the song together with Olle Blomström, aka Faråker. Obviously this song is the first single from the upcoming EP and not the earlier single “Don’t Know What to Do“, which I wrote then. Here they start out with a more open sound, breatlessly urging us on, literally. It all explodes in a contagious pop refrain with football choirs, which will hook you up the first time you hear it, I promise.

Fou De Toi’s site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music – on Soundcloud

Fou de Toi is back with a new single, “Don’t Know What to Do”. There’s no doubt about that they again show us that are masters of these infectious, repetitive pop-hooks. I’m a bit ambivalent about the production, though, as I think that they have washed away some of their characteristic dreamy pop-sound by letting fat synths dominate the sound, making it more radio-friendly. There’s certainly a great drive in the song and they have built in some nice indiepop references, so I’ll probably get used to it soon. They have promised a new EP in April. Listen for yourself here:

Fou De Toi’s site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Apple Music – on Soundcloud

Danmarck

Danmarck

As a guitarist and songwriter in the band Moll Flanders Rickard Ahlgren wrote some songs that didn’t fit the band. To make something out of these songs he started the solo project Danmarck, where he’s now started to release the first singles, three of them so far. He chose the name  Danmarck as a tribute to his friend Calle, who sadly died in the tragic accident during Pearl Jam’s concert in Roskilde in 2000. Here are two of the songs, with a punky, raw and somewhat garage-sounding and grunge-inspired rock. Love it.

Les Big Byrd – “Back to Bagarmossen”

Les Big Byrd is a band where you’ll find Joakim Åhlund from Teddybears Sthlm and Caesars, and Nino Keller from Caesars among others. They recently released the psychadelia-inspired EP “Back to Bagarmossen”. Here are two of the tracks:

Fou De Toi – “Dreams” -video

Fou De Toi released a video yesterday to their excellent pop song “Dreams”, which I thought was a good idea to show you:

Navelin – “Ofelia”

Navelin is a five members strong band from Göteborg who have just released their debut single “Ofelia”. Dreamy, soaring, beutiful pop with a singer that sounds somewhere in between Nina Persson and Ana Torroja from Mecano. Here are the two songs from the single:

The Plastic Pals

Mathias Melo – “My Friend the Freedom Fighter”

Mathias Melo is a new musical acqaintance for me, one who has just released his first single, “My Friend the Freedom Fighter”. It’s an inspirational, sunny singer/songwriter pop with a lovely rhythmic acoustic guitar playing, and an interesting voice from Mathias.

Fou De Toi – “Dreams”

Today Fou De Toi release the second single from their collaboration with the producer Ronald Blood. It’s called “Dreams” and is yet another example of their exquisite sense of catchy pop melodies.

The Plastic Pals – “The Final Remedy”

Tomorrow The Plastic Pals release the single “The Final Remedy”. The song is taken from their excellent second album “Turn the Tide”, launched last year. Great groove on this catchy tune which send me vibes of powerpop, new wave and garage rock and a breath of the era around the end of the seventies/the beginning of the eighties.

Simian Ghost – “Echoes Of Songs (For Trish Keenan)”

And here’s another piece of wonderful dreamy indie pop from Simian Ghost in the song “Echoes Of Songs (For Trish Keenan)”. The song is a tribute to Trish Keenan, former singer in  Broadcast, who tragically passed away three years ago.

Fou De Toi

It’s hard to keep up with an ever increasing stream of new Swedish music to my inbox. I’m trying to find ways to be more efficient, and one way is to present releases in a post like this, as a collection of releases, so I thought that I should try it out and see how it works. I hope you like it. Well, here’s a collection of new singles, and it came out with a pop theme as well.

Fou De Toi – “Fall Out”

The pop chorus masters Fou De Toi was contacted in the beginning of this year by the producer Ronald Blood (Shout Out Louds, Mando Diao et. al.). Apparently he had seen them live and liked what he heard. They had a meeting, decided to collaborate and then during a weekend in April they reunited in Ronald’s studio to work with some Fou De Toi songs. This song, “Fall Out” is a first result of this session, and if I read between the lines you’ll probably get to hear more songs soon.

Fou De Toi’s site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Wimp – on Soundcloud

Cajsa Siik – “The Fix”

“The Fix” is Cajsa Siik’s first single since the album debut “Plastic House” last year. It’s also the first peek at her upcoming album, an album which currently goes under the project name “Contra”. “The Fix is a conversation I had once with myself about escapism as a way of freedom”, Cajsa writes about the song.

Cajsa Siiks site – on Facebook – on Spotify – on Wimp – on Rara

Skuggväsen – “Kärleksdöden”

Behind this melodramatic song title “Kärleksdöden” (“The death of love”) we find a band that call themselves Skuggväsen. Well, I don’t really know if it’s a band as the info is quite scarce. It’s a synth pop song in Swedish and besides the electronic background and the nice synth lines there’s also a vibe of classic Swedish pop.

Skuggväsen on Tumblr – on Soundcloud

I Don’t Speak French – “Let It Go”

Recently I wrote about I Don’t Speak French’s debut single “We Are the People“. This week they released the follow-up “Let It Go” where they continue to explore their a bit unique indie sound with falsetto vocals, smooth bass lines and a bit restrained but groovy arrangement. I like the feeling of unpredictability in their songs, of where the song is going next.

I Don’t Speak French on Facebook – on Spotify – on Wimp – on Rara