Imagine, if you will: A song crafted by “With Every Heartbeat” producer Kleerup, sung by “Euphoria” songstress Loreen. Could you, even? You surely couldn’t. Who possibly could? It’s literally the ultimate Swede-pop dream, right?
Well, it’s finally happened–and the song’s just alright. Wait, what?
I’ll admit it: I slept on Vanbot‘s 2011 debut.
Not that there weren’t enough people yelling at me about it–I just never got around to listening! Naturally, it was a dreadful mistake on my part.
The Swedish songstress’ (born Ester Ideskog–wise name change, no doubt!) self-titled record is a thoroughly free of flaw Swede-pop production, channeling the sad disco of Kleerup-ian Robyn, a bit of Lykke Li, and some of Canadian crooner Lights‘ latest album. It’s an absolute must listen, and if I’d actually given it a chance earlier, Vanbot would rank high on my Top Albums of 2011 list. (You can stream much of Vanbot right here.)
But there’s no time to mourn my missing the Vanbot train, because she’s already back with a new groove for 2012: “Got To Get Out,” which just premiered via Nylon Magazine.
From Nylon:
“Got To Get Out” is about my hometown Stockholm and how it’s filled with people experiencing a sense of isolation and separation, how it makes you feel lonely in a crowd,” she explains. “It’s fascinating that people can live so close together without really noticing one another. It’s about exploring the city nightlife and the tendencies people have to chase after the experiences that will cause the best story to tell the next day instead of enjoying the happiness of the moment.”
“The beat will guide us home, and we just got to get out tonight,” Vanbot cries out.
The production on Vanbot’s latest track still channels those Kleerup/Robyn electro-indulgence, but this time around, it’s actually closer to the ethereal, spaced-out synthesizer sound of The Sound of Arrows.
“Got To Get Out” will be released on February 28 as the lead single from Vanbot’s upcoming sophomore record, according to her official website. (And best of all, you can download it for free at Nylon!)
So hop on board now–don’t miss out for a year like I did!
“Got To Get Out” will be released on February 28. (iTunes)
Rebecca & Fiona – “Hard”
Haven’t heard of DJ duo Rebecca & Fiona yet? You probably have in some capacity, but sit down and get cozy anyway–you’re going to be glad you did.
The stunning Swedish twosome have been making waves in their homeland for over the past two years, beginning with the release of their debut single: “Luminary Ones.” “It’s been a long time since I’ve had some fun,” the girls chant listlessly above the song’s dark, throbbing pulsations, bringing to mind the electro-pop ferocity of Cat5 (“Stretch & Bend”) and the hypnotic trance beats of Kleerup (Robyn‘s “With Every Heartbeat,” for instance.)
Since then, the girls have only continued to be dominate on their path of reckless amazingness–from “Bullets” (which MuuMuse contributor Sam Lansky spotlighted in his first installment of Amazing Things I’m Listening To From Sweden) to an opening spot on Queen of Swede-Pop Robyn’s European tour.
They even snagged themselves their own reality show at some point based on their lives as DJs/producers (which I haven’t seen quite yet, but I’m going to assume it’s something like a Swedish version of The Hills. Which one’s Heidi?)
Most recently, the duo unleashed their manically delicious “Jane Doe” earlier this month; a song with enough bubbling electronica to have the Pet Shop Boys foaming at the mouth and enough chilly, echoed vocals to keep the ghoulish Halloween feeling alive well past October. It’s incredible–no, it’s absolutely EVERYTHING.
(But if the accompanying video above is anything to go by, you wouldn’t want to have this bickering duo as your new roomies. For God’s sake, learn to share a mirror you two!)
Rebecca & Fiona also made a guest appearance on “Turn It Down,” the searing collaboration found on DJ Kaskade‘s new album Fire & Ice, and arguably one of the best tracks on the entire record.
Oh, and by the way: Rebecca & Fiona released their debut album I Love You Man today in Sweden, and it’s easily one of the best records of 2011. I’m absolutely F-L-O-O-R-E-D. Swedish dance-pop perfection. Track it down now.
I Love You Man was released on November 16. (iTunes)
When Mini Viva announced that they were throwing in the glittery towel back in November of 2010, a nation of Xenomaniaphiles mourned. “But what about ‘One Touch’?!” cried millions.*
Nonetheless, hope lives on with Britt Love–one-half of the super cute pop duo–as she blazes her own electro-trail as a solo artist.
Yesterday, Love posted a brand new solo song for download on her official Facebook page: “Come With Me.”
The track, which was produced by Youth Kills, borrows heavily from the hypnotic pulsations of Robyn‘s 2007 Kleerup-produced worldwide smash “With Every Heartbeat,” including a progressive sad disco stomp and twinkling synthesizers.
“This love gets stronger with all these breaths I take / Just take me away,” Love cries above the gorgeous, throbbing waves of electronica.
If this is any indication of what Love’s got to offer, it’s safe to say that the Viva vibrations will live on a bit longer.
*Guesstimation.
Download Britt Love’s “Come With Me” for free from her official website.
Here we go again: The end of another year in music!
2010 may well be remembered as the Year of the Future (if not the Year of All Hearts–hint hint!): A year of fembots, androids, bionic women and time-traveling adventures deep into the 22nd century.
Space-age love stories and robo-dramatics colored a large portion of the year’s biggest releases in pop, no doubt a response to the reign of the machine on the pop charts as synth-pop productions continued to dominate the digital airwaves in 2010.
Below is the list of MuuMuse’s Top Albums of 2010, which was based on a variety of factors–from individual song and single goodness, to the complete album experience, to overall artistic integrity, to an album’s ability to ‘stick’ as the year progressed. Basically I’m trying to say that it’s a bit of a hot mess, but I tried my very best.
There’s also a rather controversial dishonorable mention prior to the Top 40 list that will likely blow my chances for that much coveted position as editor of Rolling Stone. DAMN IT.
Now…LET’S DO THIS.
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