Sähkö-Isku - Sata Kaljaa

New Finnish synthpop from Sähkö-Isku, from the just-released 12" EP "100 kaljaa" out now via Svart Records. Very weird, but very cool.

Zacke - Mammas nya kille (video)

The trials of growing up with a single parent as told by Luleå hip-hop artist Zacke (Movits!) with a guestspot from Frej (Maskinen/SMK).

Compunctio awakens

Spiritual jazz/experimental label Compunctio is back after a rest and will be releasing three new albums this coming year, including "Nattens lovsång" from Ensemble Lakonia and a new as-yet-untitled album from Andreas Eklöf and Mats Persson.

Råd Kjetil Senza Testa journeys into the abyss

Råd Kjetil Senza Testa presents "Abyssén", their third album in as many years. The music was composed for a special performance at the MADE Festival in Umeå in May 2011 which featured the band performing behind a curtain onto which a collage of "monstrous" deep-water fish was projected to match the self-described sound of "an underwater odyssey straight into the abyss." 250 copies, transparent vinyl, order via Bandcamp.

Presenting: Oscillotron

Coming later this year, the debut LP from Oscillotron -- the analog synth/imaginary soundtrack project of Kongh frontman David Johansson. This is the first teaser.

Now open: Umeå Hardcore Arkiv

Oh children of the 90s, now we know that is why the internet was invented: to preserve all of your awkward and/or potentially embarrassing moments for posterity. Yes, the Umeå Hardcore Arkiv is now online and it is awesome: http://www.umeahardcorearkiv.se/

Beatrice Eli EP coming in August

I first mentioned it back in March and now Razzia has confirmed their signing of Beatrice Eli and will be officially releasing her debut EP "It's over" in August.

D-takt & Råpunk presents "Made in Japan"

D-takt & Råpunk quietly released a new 12" comp featuring 20 tracks recorded live at Earth Dom, Tokyo from acts such as Mob 47, Desperat and more: http://dbeatrawpunk.blogspot.com/2012/05/made-in-japan-live-12-dtakt040.html

The Radio Dept. heading south (update)

Updated tourdates for The Radio Dept.'s South American tour in July:

07/02 - Bizarro Club, Lima (PE)
07/04 - Centro de Eventos Cerro Bellavista Santiago (CL)
07/06 - Beco 203, Sao Paulo (BR)
07/08 - Teatro Odiessa, Rio de Janerio (BR)

New Katatonia confirmed

Katatonia has confirmed that their new album "Dead end kings" will be released on August 27 via Peaceville Records. Full details here.

The Swede Beat Mixtape #8: Tight Silk

The Swede Beat has posted a new edition of their mixtape series, this one compiled by Tight Silk: http://www.theswedebeat.com/mixtape/the-swede-beat-mixtape-vol-8-tight-silk/

Presenting: Moth

Via Passive/Aggressive, here's an EP of Danish postpunk from Moth, a new band featuring members from Melting Walkmen, Chainsaw Eaters and Torpedo Zombies.

Premium Publishing presents "Ny Våg - Svensk Punk / New Wave / Synth 1977-1982"

Coming August 21 via Premium Publishing, "Ny Våg - Svensk Punk / New Wave / Synth 1977-1982", a new and long-awaited book by collector Peter Kagerland on the early history of Sweden's legendary punk scene. It's Swedish-only, but it does include a bonus CD and will probably look quite nice filed on my shelft next to Premium's previously-released and very informative "Encyclopedia of Swedish Punk". Anyhow, details and ordering info is here.

Dissekerad - Undergången är nära

New Swedish råpunk featuring members from Totalitär, Avskum, Makabert Fynd and The Nature. Kinda goes without saying, but yeah, this is raging.

Kning Disk update

New stuff on the way from the always-interesting Kning Disk:

June 13: Jerry Johansson - House of hope
July: Dan Fröberg & Alexandra E. Lindh - Tingens vilja
later this fall: Titiyo Jah & Andreas Söderström - tba