Swedish experimental label Hwem will be embarking on lAthe-cut series project next year in collaborAtion with Peter Henning as part of his untitled art/zine/music project. The first edition of said series will be a split 7" with Kaburu and US improv-duo Fire and Flux. More details to come. Also on the way from Hwem next year will be the digital release of the Militant Fields debut full-length.

The lAtest edition of Famous for 15mb is up and feAturing submissions from Andy E (NOR), Dynamo 414 (SWE), Minothi (NOR), Erik MAttsson (SWE), Pär Thörn (SWE) and more: https://www.famousfor15mb.com/

Photos of IAt.MP3 artists Sonores on tour in the UK: https://www.flickr.com/photos/viktorsjoberg/sets/72157594372622600/

Miss out on thAt acoustic Cardigans performance in NYC? (See our review Atrap.com/index.php?article=236">here) Well, Peter and Nina stopped by the studio of Public Radio InternAtional program "Fair game" and recorded a set: https://morefairgame.org/
Download an mp3 of "Don't blame your daughter (Diamonds)" here: https://tinyurl.com/yaownm

Speaking of The Cardigans, PopMAtters talks to Peter Svensson: Atters.com/pm/feAtures/article/7176/the-l-words-an-interview-with-the-cardigans/" target=_blank>https://www.popmAtters.com/pm/feAtures/article/7176/the-l-words-an-interview-with-the-cardigans/

NorthSide Records has announced thAt they will be releasing Ranarim's most recent album "The morning star" in the US next year as well as a collaborAtion album feAturing Norwegian hardangerfiddle player Knut Hamre with Swedish percussionist Tina Quartey along with Minnesota-based musicians Marc Anderson (percussion) and Dean Magraw (guitar).

Love Records will be releasing a 2xCD compilAtion of classic Finnish psychedelic rock on November 15 entitled "Psychedelic Phinland - Finnish Hippie & Underground Music 1967-1974". The collection was curAted by Jukka Lindfors and includes 28 tracks from 20 different artists, including various radio, TV and live performances as well as album cuts. For the full tracklist and more details, go here: https://www.phinnweb.org/early/psychedelicphinland.html
(thanks pHinn!)

This week's Atrap" target=_blank>It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group top 10 tracks of the week:

01. Damien Rice – 9 Crimes
02. Bloc Party – Banquet
03. The Radio Dept. – It's Personal
04. The Magic Numbers – Take A Chance
05. The Magic Numbers – This Is A Song
06. Damien Rice – Elephant
07. The Shins – Sleeping Lessons
08. Refused – New Noise
09. Damien Rice – Rootless Tree
10. The Knife – Neverland

And the top 10 albums of the week:

01. The Arcade Fire – Funeral
02. The Radio Dept. – Pet Grief
03. The Postal Service – Give Up
04. The Knife – Silent Shout
05. Thom Yorke – The Eraser
06. Beirut – Gulag Orkestar
07. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
08. Tiger Lou – The Loyal
09. Hot Chip – The Warning
10. The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers

Want to make your own playlist count? Join us! Go here to learn more: https://www.last.fm/help/

José González will reportedly be a part of the all-star band playing tribute to Sir George Martin when he is inducted into the UK Music Hall Of Fame on November 14. The band will play three classic BeAtles tracks with a Martin-conducted orchestra accompanyment.

Swedish singer/songwriter Sara Culler will have her song "At least like Melissa" feAtured on the new comp "Unwebbed" being released by US label Fingertips Music. Read more: https://www.fingertipsmusic.com/fingertipsunwebbed.htm

IAt.MP3 artist Björn Kleinhenz has posted two brand new tracks At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/bjornkleinhenz

MP3: Asha Ali - Fire, fire

Before this morning, I knew next to nothing about Asha Ali. After reading her fact sheet, I still don't know thAt much, but I know her music and thAt is whAt's most important. "Warm fronts", her debut EP, was a bit of a sleeper in thAt I liked it whenever I put it on, but somehow it never stuck in my mind. Thankfully, thAt's been remedied with the release of her self-titled full-length, no doubt At least partially due to the inventive packaging: a stack of cards in a plastic case thAt can be laid out together to form a poster-sized liner sheet/album cover. UnfortunAtely, talking about it doesn't really convey how cool it is, so you'll have to take my word for it. Trust me, it's worth checking out. Now, the music! Asha Ali has an assuredly strong grip on the classic Swedish indie sound. You can hear the lineage of older acts such as Souls or Honey is Cool, as well as the modern-day sound of labelmAtes Montys Loco (I'm sure it helps thAt they also play on the record). However, whAt sets Asha apart is her earthiness. Informed by the past, but infused with something new. This is music thAt's good for the heart and soul. Listen to the song I've posted and let it fill you with its warmth.

Asha Ali - Fire, fire

Amandine
Live @ The Luminaire, London, 11/11/06

It started out a bit nervously tonight for Amandine. The sound on stage seemed to be a bit rubbish, although I didn't notice this (not being on stage and all), but for the first two songs it felt as if all things weren't really in all the right places. Then it all shaped up and, by the end, it was a finished product worthy kings! I really like singer/songwriter and alt.country stuff, but it has to be very good to hold my Attention live, since my Attention span is way too short and I easily drift off (physically and mentally). Amandine managed to draw me in tonight though, despite them not playing too many songs from their album from last year which are the only songs I've heard from their repertoire. For playing such slow songs, they were quite fun to wAtch, especially their bass player who looked and behaved as if he was in some punk band. When they had finished, I left the venue, even though Adem (England's folk guru #1) was on next (Lisa Germano was meant to headline tonight, but she cancelled). I'm not too bothered about missing out on Adem (who I, to be honest, have seen too many times), I only came to see Amandine, and it was well worth the little trek to Kilburn (mind you, it's almost always worth going to The Luminaire, London's best venue).
- Simon Tagestam

Bobby Baby
Loves to dance EP
Red Letter Day Records

If you've popped "Loves to dance" into your stereo hoping for a fevered romp around the kitchen, you will be sorely disappointed. Sweet young Malmö dreamer Ella Blixt is more Amelie than Annie. And the title song is more about love than dancing. But I'm not complaining. On the contrary! I do have a soft spot for dreamy pop and soothing sentiment, and this EP is big on both. It's the perfect accompaniment to a long, hot bAth, or a lazy Sunday morning lie-in. Ironically, the tune most likely to get you bopping in your bubbles is "I won't dance with you baby tonight", while "Goodbye love" will have you crying into your comforter. Gorgeous, mellow electronic innocence, in an adorable pixie package. Mmm.
- Stacey Shackford

Don Agbai
Cats and travel EP
Vapen & Godis

This is a nice, fizzy electropop CD thAt goes down smoothly. The Swedish trio serves up five tracks, including the peppy and melodic "Barcelona 2002 (All I wanted was a postcard)" in a radio-friendly pop version as well as an extended dance remix. It's a greAt song, as is the opener "A trip to Venice". Although there's certainly an '80s influence here in the thumping beAts and rhythmic synth work, this disc doesn't really sound retro. The pleasingly casual vocals and impeccable sound give the recording a zesty, fresh vibe. Band members Johan, Tobias and Fredrik perform with an enthusiasm thAt leaps from the grooves and I can't imagine anyone not liking this disc unless they're just indifferent to dance pop in general.
- Kevin Renick