Tom Malmquist
Two in the morning
Bonnier Amigo
I love everything about Tom Malmquist, from his photo drinking wine while soaking in a tub of dirty bath water and his bizarre myspace bio, to his choice of instruments – guitar, banjo, washboard, saw against leather jacket... Then there's his music, of course. He sounds like a quirky young Tom Waits. Except happier. The four-song EP unfolds like a series of letters to lovers, building up to a somewhat darker duet, "Tyranny of heaviness". But even that sounds gorgeous and oddly upbeat. It's celebratory country, of the most comforting variety.
- Stacey Shackford