The expression “Gör så gott du kan” (appr. “do your best”) can be both a consolation and a curse. It’s also the title on MANKKU [mancko]’s, aka Magnus Fagernäs, latest singel, a taste of the upcoming album “Det var allt för stunden” (release November 17th). The song has been released before in an acoustic version recorded live in a studio. MANKKU claims, though, that this is how he really wanted the song to sound from the beginning.
It’s a dark atmosphere in this song where synths sweep in like black smoke, building up to a folkrock-vibing heavy chorus while MANKKU plays out all his dramatic intensity. Interestingly the folk song tinge is more obvious now than before, which underlines the timelessness in the story even further. The song also ends with an ominous ambience, almost filmic, like if we are witnessing the smoldering remains of a battlefield. Dark, beautiful and haunting.
With their last album, “So Much Imagine” the duo Marching Band, Erik Sunbring and Jacob Lind, wanted to find their way back to their roots with a more DIY-based pop sound. And I liked the result where they vented in full their gorgeous indiepop-tinkering on a double album. Still, it feels like that album pales in comparison to their fourth album “Heart Jewel”, released a few weeks ago.
I notice the difference right from the start in the first track “Creator – And I Notice”, a folk-inspired, uplifting pop track. Overall the record feels happier, more energetic and more playful than any album I have listened to before with the duo. There is still a lo-fi vibe, which sometimes reminds me of Magnetic Fields, and their pop melodies are high class as usual. But here is also a variation in the arrangements and quite a few fun ideas that keep me on my toes the album through. They have also started playing with electronica and drum machines which makes this into a very unique brew, a brew that tastes very sweet and refreshing.
Gustav Roth from the duo Roth also has a solo project running called Oldboy. Last week he released his second single “Debaser”, a sweet piece of sunny pop with some 70’s vibes. And the song title refers to the former venue at Slussen in Stockholm, which get a tribute with this song. I also take the opportunity to play his first single, released earlier this year, “Where Am I Going”, also a feelgood pop track driven by Southafrican warm rhythms and colours.
The band Les Gordons, hailing from Örebro, is right in the middle of an exciting period. After participating in the finals of a national Swedish radio competion last month, they were picked out by a jury to the biggest competition of them all: Melodifestivalen in Swedish national television next year. And of courrse they didn’t turn down the opportunity to play in front of the biggest possible Swedish audience.
They are hardly the typical band for the competition, though, even if they have a great sense for catchy tunes. Into their melting pot of energetic indie they pour various influences and they can add som 60’s-inspired garage pop just as well as funky dance rock with a taste of the 80’s. In Summer they released this video with the title track, “Need to Feel”, from their latest EP, released in Spring. I’ve also added another excellent track from the album here below: “Walking On”.
A Finnish tango legend and some fascinating Swedish indie artists sounds like an unlikely combination at first. It all started last year when the Finnish artist and songwriter Pentti Viherluoto would have celebrated his 100th birthday. His grandchild Tatu Metsätähti came up with the idea of recording Penttis old songs in new, modern versions and as many of the songs already had been translated to Swedish (by the actor Thure Wahlroos) he contacted his friend, the producer and artist Henrik von Euler. Henrik got involved and together with Billie Lindahl (Promise and the Monster), Rickard Jäverling and Pelle Lindroth (Parken) he started recording. One song led to another and they ended up with an entire album named “Skymningsland”, which is going to be released this November.
The first song “Grändens skymning” is an appetizer which definitely makes me interested in more. It’s a track where they blend the two worlds with synths and tremolo guitars that wrap us in a harsh, Finnish melancholy, a drum machine echoing of the last beats from the old dance floor and dreamy, longing vocals which turn into a warm duet. Listen for yourself here below.
I should add also that the original Finnish lyrics, to this song and the others on the album, were written by Pentti’s brother Aimo.
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![MANKKU [mancko]](https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14495421_1102771403140659_1767099209567339983_n.jpg?oh=c4b7c0b77f788a9907693dc29b89b757&oe=58C77943 "MANKKU [mancko]")
