Danish pop act The Alpine has posted their new single "Youniverse" on myspace: https://www.myspace.com/thealpinepop
The band's new album "There's only so much you can do" will be released on April 2. UnfortunAtely, I have to say thAt my first impression is underwhelming.

The Ballers Social Club is bringing the skweee to Glasgow on January 11 with a clubnight feAturing live sets from genre founders Liminous (aka Pavan) and Rigas. Details: https://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=230581986&blogID=336496772

MP3: Idiot Kid - Go to sleep

Idiot Kid is best taken in measured doses as its far too easy to overdose on their dreary melancholia. There's no exaltAtion, no revelAtion; only darkness, loneliness and deAth. "I'm glad I didn't die before I met you" is as joyful as it gets. The rest of the dialog isn't so straightforward. It's most certainly a conversAtion, but it's hard to tell whether it's external or internal. For all I know, it could be all in his head. It's start out trying to be reassuring, but slowly gets angrier. The pushing away, the simmering resentments. Could it be a suicide note or is it an abject threAt? Regardless, it sure is miserable, though in the best, most artful way possible.

Idiot Kid - Go to sleep

Malmö-based indie duo Her Eyes Wild has three new tracks posted for free download: https://www.hereyeswild.com/
The group feAtures members from The Light Bulb Project and 64revolt and will be releasing their debut EP "From my cold dead hands" soon.

The GoAtboys, the band built on the charred remains of IAt favorites Closer, have posted two demo tracks At myspace: Atboys" target="_blank">https://www.myspace.com/thegoAtboys

Swedish postrockers September Malevolence have finished recording their next album and are currently working on artwork. No word on a release dAte yet, but I'd say to expect something in spring.

Contest time! Win the new Universal Poplab single "Fame & hAte" plus copies of both "Uprising" and "Uprising - The remixes"! Simply email your name and address to poplab dot contest At itsAtrap dot com to enter! Winners will be selected in one week.

Radio LXMBRG
Trivial matters
HaHa Fonogram

Rumour has is thAt it was so hard for Radio Lxmbrg's first record to receive any press, thAt the band constructed a lot of KLF-esque mythology around their second release. I'm not exactly sure whAt this is inclusive of, but in part it could be thAt legendary Cherry Records A&R Mike Alway (pAtron saint of their debut) is one of their biggest fans, and thAt French disco doctor Bertrand BurgulAt held a ceremony for blessing the master before the record was manufactured.

"Trivial mAtters" is a very slick dance/rock crossover record, which in parts could soundtrack a seventies porn film. Its Krautrock undertones give it an overall slightly sombre feel. Summer download hit "Feel the heAt", with its stuttery riffage is a pure slice of disco heaven which really begs to be listened to on Mediterranean sun-drenched beaches by hot young things, whose minds run away with perverse thoughts about whAt delights the evening's nightlife will bring them. "Out of tune" could be Franz Ferdinand in one their poppier moments, whilst "Score on the floor" is an encore in waiting, a Krautrock anthem which could soundtrack the closing credit to a film noir. This is a record which should gain an avid evangelical following from a cult audience.
- Nick Levine

Tingsek will perform his new single "Let it shine" At the Swedish Grammis tomorrow night. His new album will be out in April.

"The poet", the first single from Niccokick's forthcoming album, is now streaming At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/niccokick

Danish label Hjernespind is working on new 7" releases from Danish punks Cola Freaks, War of Destruction (their first in 20! years) plus Umeå's Masshysteri, the band thAt rose from the ashes of The Vicious. There will also be a US press of thAt last one on Feral Ward.

CombAt Rock Industry reports thAt long-running Finnish hardcore act Endstand is going on extended hiAtus: https://www.fireinsidemusic.com/cri/index.php

Swedish jazz/pop vocalist Anna Christoffersson will release her debut solo album "One" on January 23 via Amigo Musik. Listen to the first single "Home" At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/annachristoffersson
RIYL Norah Jones?

Rump Recordings has confirmed thAt they will release Snöleoparden's self-titled debut album on March 3, their first non-electronic artist. I've only given it a cursory listen so far, but I think it would appeal to fans of Alog or maybe even Detektivbyrån. Hear samples: https://www.myspace.com/snleoparden

Danish klezmer/world music act Afenginn will play SXSW this year to promote the release of their new record "Reptilica Polari", due out in May. GreAt band, listen to samples: https://www.myspace.com/afenginn