TLOBF sessions: Lykke Li
Check out Lykke Li doing a live studio session for The Line of Best Fit: https://vimeo.com/20245672
Country: Sweden
Øresund Space Collective
Slip into the vortex
Transubstans Records
If you're not already familiar with Denmark's improv jazz merchants, the band name itself should hint as to the style evident on "Slip into the vortex". That's right, it's a progtastic space rock extravaganza that will have fans of the genre slipping into ØSC's own musical vortex for close on 80 minutes. It's a strange affair, this album. Of course, that can be said for a lot of bands who populate this weird sub-genre. But with "Slip into the vortex" there's something altogether different going on; it might sound silly, but the first part of this album sounds a lot like an electronic version of the Lethal Weapon 2 soundtrack with its odd, almost sleazy, saxophone sections playing a predominant role, especially in opening track, "I teleported to Acapulco". It takes a while before the cosmic elements kick off in earnest but, when they do, it's like the soundtrack to a space rock fan's wet dream (I assume). If this is as improvised as the band claims, then it's astounding that they've pulled it off so fluidly. There's definitely a particular frame of mind required to pull maximum enjoyment from this and if you're there it's sublime. If not, it can get a bit tiresome. Might not be the greatest thing ØSC have ever done, but it's close.
- John Norby
Sophie Rimheden + Eboi - Whiz kid
Electronic artist Sophie Rimheden and rapper Eboi have collaborated on a new track and are giving it away as a free download: https://soundcloud.com/s-r-p/sophie-rimheden-eboi-whiz-kid
Pitchfork interviews Lykke Li
Pitchfork interviews Lykke Li about her new album "Wounded rhymes" and other related topics: https://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/7913-lykke-li/
Vanhelgd - Mänsklighetens finala ruin
Swedish death metallers Vanhelgd have a new track posted for free download: https://www.myspace.com/vanhelgd/blog/542207805
Look for the band's new album "Church of death" to be released in April.
Pitchfork reviews The Skull Defekts
Pitchfork gives high marks to the new The Skull Defekts album "Peer amid" and rightfully so: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15139-peer-amid/
It's a great record, picked up the 2LP myself over the weekend.
Dead Letters finale (video)
Not that it can compete with actually being there, but here's live footage from this weekend's iDEAL Fest featuring the last-ever performance by Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words. Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VsBb_DD2KU
Pistol Disco - Goo
It shares a name with a tune by related act Volcanic Places, but this new track by Pistol Disco is not at all the same: https://pistoldisco.tumblr.com/post/3526221716
And as always, new music from Pistol Disco is a good thing.
Pitchfork says The Radio Dept. is best new music
Pitchfork gives high marks to The Radio Dept.'s singles collection "Passive aggressive", though I'm not so sure about them ever being regarded as underdogs: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15035-passive-aggressive-singles-2002-2010/
Loney Dear - Young hearts (video)
Something new from Loney Dear. Direct link: https://vimeo.com/20370947
New music from Red Moon
At long last, Red Moon has graced us with seven new tracks: https://www.redmoongbg.com/
I've been wanting to hear something new from these ladies for something like 5 years now, so I'm super excited to check this out.
Frida Selander - Forever on your team
I remember hearing Frida Selander in passing something like a half-dozen years ago and not being too impressed, but there's been considerable buzz building in the interim. For one, her inclusion as a member of David Sandström Overdrive is a surefire vote of confidence, but I've also been hearing increasingly louder whispers that her next album will be incredible. Not that I can confirm the hearsay, though we do have this new single to whet our appetites. "Forever on your team" is definitely reminiscent of DSO, not that that's a bad thing, not in the least. Recording with Oskar Sandlund probably helps (I believe it's him on drums as well). As for the rest, wait and see -- "Try again baby" will be officially released on March 25 via .
The Ark
Arkeology
EMI
The Ark has never been a band content to write songs. They write anthems, through and through. From their breakout top ten hit, "It takes a fool to remain sane", to newest single, "Breaking up with God", they've graced us with a string of the finest, most bombastic pop/rock of the new millennium. "Arkeology", spanning twenty tracks, spills over with hits. Stacked one after another, it's a staggering ride through 70's glam rock, emotional new-wave and heart-on-sleeves balladry -- always with a sing-along chorus at the forefront. While their albums were consistently top-notch, especially at the band's mid-decade peak, The Ark will always be remembered by their singles. And there are some giants here. The dizzying "Calleth you, cometh I"; the sneering "Father of a son"; the contemplative, rousing "One of us is gonna die young". If you're only familiar with the band from their glitzy 2007 Eurovision entry, "The worrying kind", you may be stunned by what else is on offer. This music will make you feel giddy. The Ark have a knack for taking simple pop ingredients and making them seem impossibly galvanizing. The band wisely curtail entries from their less-than-stellar 2010 album to a pair of singles towards the end of the compilation. Thankfully, "Stay with me" receives a remix, giving it a fuller sound more in keeping with the rest of the tracks. Two new recordings, "Breaking up with God" and "The apocalypse is over", bookend the collection. The former is a punchy pop confection proclaiming frontman Ola Salo's break with organized religion in his usual uplifting fashion. The latter manages to sum up The Ark's career in a triumphant, yet bittersweet swan song. It's a milestone when a band like this decides to call it quits, but I can't think of a better collection of songs -- er... anthems -- to leave as their legacy to the world.
- Nick James
Love is a Burning Thing interview
interrogates their artist Love is a Burning Thing: https://nomethod.se/?p=429
David Åhlén presents The Davidic Order
IAT favorite David Åhlén has unveiled a new project called The Davidic Order which will be releasing a subscription-based series of new music over the course of the year, the first of which will be out on March 28. More info here: https://thedavidicorder.com/