The kind folks of Hemstad have posted a little mixtape for free download: mstadhemstad.com/" target=_blank>https://www.hemstadhemstad.com/

The new Raymond & maria single "Storstadskvinnor faller ner och dör" is up on myspace: myspace.com/raymondochmaria" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/raymondochmaria (mickeorgel.blogspot.com/2006/08/ny-singel-med-raymond-maria.html" target=_blank>via)

Frida Hyvönen's album "Until death comes" has been officially confirmed for release on October 24 via Secretly Canadian. Personally, I'm kinda meh on her, but many of IAT's contributors thought that record was one of 2005's best.

Bad Taste is streaming a brand new David & the Citizens song at myspace: myspace.com/badtasterecords" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/badtasterecords
Or just stream the whole damn thing at mTV's site: mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=6417" target=_blank>https://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=6417

Espen Jørgensen (Green Carnation) will be releasing a solo album entitled "On the great Alkali Plains" via Jester Records. The record was recorded live to tape at Rainbow Studios with absolute no overdubs. Check out a track at myspace: myspace.com/jesterrecords" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/jesterrecords

Also on the way from Jester is another new When album. It will be called "Who's laughing now?" and is due out Summer 2006, so I imagine that means 'soon'.

Pitchfork gives extremely high praise to I'm From Barcelona: media.com/article/record_review/37756/Im_From_Barcelona_Let_me_Introduce_my_Friends" target=_blank>https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/37756/Im_From_Barcelona_Let_me_Introduce_my_Friends
As short as the album is, I still find that it wears on me to listen to it all the way through. The first EP was perfect in every way. It's a shame my dog Parker hates them so much.

MP3: FAP - You golem

New track today from Swedish electronic act FAP, a name which probably stands for something, I just don't know what. The label's description actually sums up the record quite nicely, a trait sadly all-too-rare in the music biz. Here's how they see it: "FAP's debut LP is a about a half an hour of minimal, ambient and lush drones; sparkling guitars and curious sine waves." And when they say LP, they mean it - this is a vinyl only release. Imagine a more lush version of Pan Sonic or maybe think of that Viktor Sjöberg record I was hyping recently. The music is deceptively simple, but extremely satisfying. It's the kind of stuff that easily does double-duty as both ambient background music or can be cranked up for more detailed listening. It doesn't demand your full attention, but proves to be rewarding when you do. Very recommended.

FAP - You golem

MP3: Kalle J - Burt Ward

As the Swedish indie-dance/electropop music scene gets more and more crowded, it's becoming increasing hard to sift through all the crap. I believe that eventually the cream will all rise to the top, but right now the genre is overloaded with also-rans and wannabees. To be completely honest, I have a hard time getting into any of it. It's not hard to make crap dance music and even some of the best stuff still sounds pretty damn weak once you leave the club, so it's rare for me to find a record I can really get into. Part of that is also due to the fact that it's just a genre well-suited to the extended-length format. I can think of many examples of artists who released great singles and EPs only to crash and burn when they tried to do an album. Sadly, Kalle J is no exception. I really dig his "Some old friends and a glimpse of the future" EP. A lot. Great beats and production without any unnecessary pop singer/songwriter aspirations. His new full-length "Om du lyssnar noga"? Well, it's pretty hot once you get past the first four songs. The single "B.G.I.T." (see the video m.com/video.php" target=_blank>here) proves that Kalle is capable of making vocal-based pop, as do the subsequent tracks that close out the record (as you can hear from the one I've posted today), but you'd never know it if you didn't get past the halfway mark. So listen, here's my proposal: stop making albums. Put out as many EPs and singles as you want. Embrace the 'long tail' theory - less of more. We'll all be happier.
Buy Kalle J CDs/mp3s: m/store.php?search=Kalle%20J">[click here]

Kalle J - Burt Ward

This week's winner of the IAT promo giveaway is morten Stytzer of the m/" target=_blank>Hits in the Car music blog. Funny things can happen when you draw names from a hat. Disappointed? Well, have no fear because I'll keep on giving away more and more CDs the rest of the month. m/special/contest.html" onclick="window.open(this.href,'contest','width=410,height=230');return false;">Click here to enter! Please note that if you've already entered, there is no need to do it again. Karl Elisha - this means you.

Swedish electro/rock act Viva Revolución will come to the US in September. Dates soon.

Niccokick has posted a brand new demo track at myspace: myspace.com/niccokick" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/niccokick

Swedish hip-hop mag Kingsize is offering up a free mixtape download from Organism and DJ Large. Check it: magazine.se/readNews.asp?nwsID=1442" target=_blank>https://www.kingsizemagazine.se/readNews.asp?nwsID=1442

Flunk will release an iTunes exclusive EP in early October featuring 2-3 songs recorded at the band's Hotel Cafe gig in LA from early may. One of the confirmed tracks is a cover of "See you" by Depeche mode.

Newly reunited act Don Juan Dracula will make their triumphant return to the live stage in September with an appearance at the Beijing Pop Festival, as well as a warm-up gig supporting The Ark back home in Norway. Details: m/article/news_20060805.asp" target=_blank>https://www.donjuandracula.com/article/news_20060805.asp