Athens66: Sweden

The Sweet Serenades could Die Young on Grey's Anatomy

It's nice to see bands that you've spotted out slowly becoming more and more famous. We are referring to The Sweet Serenades who seem to have made their way to Grey's Anatomy latest episode. I can't say I'm really excited about the show (at least during the last couple of seasons) but at least it seems the quality of music they use remains high! The current track, titled Die Young, is taken from their album Balcony Cigarettes and is a charming duet with Karolina Komstedt from Club 8 (who are up for a new album in May...don't worry, we'll keep you posted on this one as well).

The Sweet Serenades - Die Young

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Sambassadeur are European

We've talked about Sambassadeur quite a number of times in the past. They are Swedish (from Gothenburg), they are signed to Labrador label and they play Swedish (no surprise there) pop. What else is there to know? I've loved their first two albums, especially their self-titled debut back in 2005, so was more than excited for their latest release titled European. Anna Persson is once again leading the tracks with her sweet voice and the melodies are as pure pop as they can get. Simply give tracks like Days and Stranded a listen and you'll immediately see why I always keep a copy of their albums nearby!

Sambassadeur - Stranded

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The Radio Dept. are Clinging to a Scheme

As you all know, our love for Swedish music is simply endless. But how can't it be with such bands as Radio Dept. We posted their latest single Heaven on Fire last month in anticipation of their upcoming album and finally the time has come. After 4 years in the making of, their 3rd studio album titled Clinging to a Scheme will be released on April 21st on our beloved Labrador label.

This album is simply amazing. It's actually more than a simple album; it's a small trip that makes you forget all your worries and problems. It's a musical journey from the 80's to the 10's, with dreamy pop melodies and minimalistic electronic sounds. It may took them 4 years, but it was definitely worth the wait. Hail Sweden (once again)!

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Sebastian Said about The Sonnets

The Sonnets are another new and upcoming Swedish band that specializes in melodic pop. They've just released their first single titled Sebastian Said, which revives the 80's uplifting era. I quite like this one (although I'm keen to anything coming out of Sweden) but I'll wait for their full album Western Harbour Blue before I can have a clearer view on it. From their first track however, it sounds like new Sound of Arrows are emerging..

The Sonnets - Sebastian Said (Montauk Remix)

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Radio Dept. have set Heaven on Fire

One of the best Swedish bands is coming back with a new album release. Radio Dept. are set to release their new record titled Clinging to a Scheme on April 21st, of' course through Labrador label. They released a first single from the album last June and are now offering fans a second one titled Heaven's on Fire (out on March 24th). The track features a cover from Sade's All about our Love and has more British than Swedish elements to it. Enjoy!

The Radio Dept. - Heaven's on Fire

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Back with ingenting

It's been way too long...but hopefully I'll get back on track. Until then a new Swedish clip for you from ingenting (from Labrador as always). The track is called Dina händer är fulla av blommor (which according to our friend google it may mean 'your hands are full of flowers'). Enjoy...

The Happiest Times for a Little Big Adventure

Another video release from Sweden today. It's the new video from Little Big Adventure titled Happiest Times, taken from his latest EP The Hateful Eye. It's on Labrador label, so you know it's worth it!

Museum of Bellas Artes are questioning Who Do You Love

Museum of Bellas Artes are a trio from Stockholm that play the usual Swedish mellow pop. They did a cover of Who do you Love by Sapphires (track originally released back in 1964) last year and now they got a brand new video and remix to go with it. Check both out...they are simply so Swedish!

Museum of Bellas Artes - Who Do You Love (Handsomeboy Technique Remix)

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Robert Church and The Holy Commmunity and their Los Tres De Canarias

Robert Chuch & The Holy Community are a lo fi pop band from Sweden (typical). They are now releasing a cassete-only album (titled Los Tres De Canarias) from a small label in Michigan (Fox Pop). They are a mix of Casiotone and Swedish pop, so of'course we couldn't resist posting it. Good stuff for starting off the weekend!

Robert Church & The Holy Commmunity - 1/10

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Sambassadeur are back these Days

One of our favorite Swedish (what else) bands is almost ready to release a new album. Sambassadeur are back on the studio and have almost finished recording their tracks, which are due in January on Labrador (again what else) label. Until then, enjoy their new (and free) track Days!

Sambassadeur - Days

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Titiyo & Moto Boy's Crying Bed

New clip from Swedish duo Titiyo & Moto Boy. The song is titled If Only Your Bed Could Cry and is from their upcoming album Hidden (in 2010). A bit of Antony resemblance here but that's ok...

Are they simply Amazing?

Christoffer Gunrup, Reine Fiske, Johan Holmegard and Fredrik Swahn are simply The Amazing. This is a new band from (guess where) Sweden that is slowly making a name for themselves. Their single Dragon was recently featured/reviewed in Pitchfork and they are currently touring the US (they are playing Music Hall of Williamsburg tomorrow in Brooklyn...which is our new header pic btw!). Their music is a mix of pop-rock folk and prog-rock with a few elements of psychedelia. They are probably following the US trend set by Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend and Yeasayer (amongst others). Nevertheless, they do make beautiful songs and they are Swedes, so they are more than worth a listen. Their self-titled debut album was released in iTunes and Sweden back in April but is available worldwide now on Subliminal Sounds label. Enjoy!

The Amazing - Dragon

The Amazing - Code II

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How about some Sweet 'Swedish' Serenades?

There seems to be no stopping the Swedish music factory this days. Thank god for that if you ask me. The Sweet Serenades is yet another pop-rock indie duo from Stockholm. They release their First Taste EP back in 2007 and are now back with their debut album titled Balcony Cigarettes. There are numerous musical influences on their tracks but it all seems to work perfectly. Keep these ones in mind...their style and music will quickly break into more mainstream airwaves. Enhoy!

The Sweet Serenades - On my Way

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We've Missed Those Dancing Days

I though of reviving the old theme of 'Things we Missed' and what a better way than with another Swedish band! Those Dancing Days is an all girls band from Stockholm that brings memories of those all-girl bands back in the 60's. They officially released their first album back in 2008 titled In Our Space Hero Suits and it is simply adorable (how on earth did we miss it?). The pure essence of Swedish music...Enjoy!

Those Dancing Days - Those Dancing Days

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Lacrosse are still Kids

So let's see, we have five men, one woman and all of them from Stockholm. Guess the ingridients are all there for another Swedish success. Lacrosse are just what we were looking for...Give them a go!

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Dial M for another Murder

Dial M for Murder are a new indie-pop duo from Sweden. Their debut album Fiction of Her Dreams just came out and is worth more than a couple of spins (as everything coming off Scandinavia these days). Here's their first song Oh no! Enjoy!

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Pistol Disco offer us Evergreen

It’s that time again…time to introduce another Swedish band! Seems that the Scandinavian scene is always pleasantly surprising us with new bands and artists. So until Jans Lekman gets over Swine Flu, let’s peek at a different Swedish scene; that of kraut/prog/noise rock. Alexander Palmestål and Mikael Enqvist are the Swedes behind Pistol Disco since their debut in 2007 with Radiation and follow up album Two. They have now released their latest material titled Evergreen.

Pistol Disco - Organ and Drum

Evergreen is a 40 minute voyage from pop to rock and from kraut to noise. The opening track Organ and Drums sets an accelerating pace only to be followed up by the highly addictive tune of Beat of the Tune. The next couple of tracks give way to a dreamier trip before setting the rhythm for Formula One. The album ends with a clearly noisy and liberating trip named Champagne (I’d love to learn the process behind naming tracks with no lyrics…anyone have a clue?). I never expected such a powerful album from these guys, but Evergreen is highly recommended from my part. You can order it from Celebrity Lifestyle Records or just download for free from here. I know I praise Swedish pop...but it seems the Swedes are slowly trying to prevail even over Canada’s rocks! Is it an evil plan or what?

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A hand in the Sky (En Hand i Himlen) from Jonathan Johansson

Yes, I got into this one as well. Jonathan Johansson is the new pop sensation from (where else) Sweden and his single En Hand i Himlen is just amazingly addictive (you've been warned). Here is his first official video and we'll be waiting for his album out on the 9th of February from Hybris label (I already pre-ordered it from the links you can find at the end of the post). Will be back with more details once I get my hands on it. God damn Sweden...

Jonathan Johansson - En Hand i Himlen

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In the Book of Norma

Norma is yet another Swedish band I’ve recently discovered. However this one doesn’t fit into the classic Swedish pop category since they are a genuine rock band. The band hails from Hägersten and has just released their debut album Book of Norma on Novoton/NONS records. Their record is a mixture of ambient and progressive rock comprising of mostly dark compositions with a really full rock sound that is not often found in new bands. I have to be honest, I’m still trying to get a hold of their album but from the tracks on myspace and their debut single Waste I’ve already been persuaded and will continue searching for more of their material. Finally, a band to watch out for…

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Lars, Lilly and Pablo meet Billie the Vision & the Dancers

Our next tribute to the Swedish pop scene is one of my favorites. A 7-piece band from Mälmo, Billie the Vision & the Dancers are the epitome of pop, from chamber to folk, indie and twee…just add pop next to it and you’ve got their sound spot on. From their first album back in 2004 I Was So Unpopular In School and Now They're Giving Me This Beautiful Bicycle to their latest I Used to Wander These Streets this year, the band’s songs revolve constantly around Lars, Lilly and Pablo; three semi-fictional characters with obvious personal references. Their music will instantly bring Belle & Sebastian in mind but if you give them more than a chance you will see that they have so much more to offer. They are upbeat, crazy, melodic and come in a free package (you can download all their albums from their site here). This is one of best independent bands (still haven’t signed to a major label after all these years and recognition) I’ve come across lately..if you don’t take music too serious all the time!

Someday, Somehow

Nightmares

A Man from Argentina

Nobel Square