Vera Vinter, one of the first signings of the recently relaunched , has just released her debut 7" single "Du gör mig rädd", the video for which you can see above. Said record was recorded by Mattias Olsson (Pineforest Crunch, Gösta Berlings Saga, Änglagård, etc.) and is limited to 500 numbered copies with a fold-out poster cover featuring artwork by Knut Larsson (who also directed the video). A full-length album will follow in fall.
Swedish label is back from the dead, the reason being that "many of my old artists have finished new music that is too good for not being released," plus, "I have also bumped into some new artists that i just love." Guess that once you're in, it's hard to walk away forever. Anyhow, their first new release will be Akaba with the song "Fake it", as you can see/hear above. After that, look for new stuff to follow from the likes of Nanook of the North, Molesome and maybe also Vera Vinter. I'd also be way into a new Vijaya record, but I know the chances of that are slim to none.
After a couple of EPs , it was time for singer-songwriter Vijaya to spread her wings and show what she is able to do on a full-length. The result is an intimate album with minimal, but brilliant instrumentation that is only enhancing her beautiful voice. The palette of emotion is displayed is limited, going from the melancholic to the slightly annoyed. When on her melancholic game, she just creates some amazing melodies and textures, with just her voice and electric guitar. Mostly simply electronics and keyboards are sprinkled throughout the record, as well as reeds, harmonica and a few more, as simple as the arrangements are, they are completely amazing. I really like this, in more ways that I thought I would. This is intelligent, well crafted singer/songwriter music.
- Simon Thibaudeau
Celestine produce a sound that I'd kinda call "joyous melancholy," if that isn't too contradictory. The music is strong and life-affirming, played with energy, but the dark undercurrent is quite palpable. This band hovers between epic balladry, moody slowcore and something a bit more eccentric, as on the texturally interesting "Masterpiece" and the ear-baiting title cut, on which vocalist Mattias Erikssen sings "Let me sleep through the night/Free from ghosts and creeps" softly, before the band kicks up quite a ruckus, enough to scare said creeps away. "Sunflower" would be a hit single if I ruled the world: it's a great chiming, rhythmic tune with breezy acoustic guitars, a harmonium (I think) and an affecting vocal. The vocals take a little getting used to (they're low and rather dour), but Mattias Olsson produced this disc with warmth and clarity, and the sound is consistent. No something you'd probably wanna hear daily, but God love bands like this for doing textural melancholy just right, for when you need it.
- Kevin Renick