Fact: Every man, woman, and child in Sweden will, at one point, create amazing pop music.

Admittedly, I just made that up. But really, the Scandinavian nation of less than 10 million people has produced a spectacular density of brilliant, heart-wrenching, lighters-aloft pop that puts the rest of the globe to shame.

In this new series, Amazing Things I’m Listening to From Sweden, I’ll be discussing the best music Sweden has to offer right now, and explaining why it’s better than your faves.

Lisa Miskovsky – Lover

My only familiarity with Lisa Miskovsky was as the artist behind some fairly snooze-worthy MOR pop-rock, which makes “Lover,” off her recent album Violent Sky, a marked departure. Produced by Björn Yttling (of Peter, Björn and John fame, as well as production work for Robyn), “Lover” is a dark and bombastic slice of hands-in-the-air pop with an infectious singalong gospel-inspired chorus. If the melody evokes a ’60s girl group, the production is all malevolent robotic doom pop. Strange, modern, and totally addictive.

Vincent – Baby Hurricane

Vincent Pontare had a string of minor hits back in 2007, including the very catchy “Miss Blue,” but to me, he was best known as the boyfriend of Agnes Carlsson (which is certainly a good sign). “Baby Hurricane” continues the retro swing indicated by his earlier work, but more invigoratingly, breathlessly, and winsomely; it’s a spunky, feel-good track that simply demands some jazzy choreography.

Icona Pop – Manners

I’m late to the party on this one — “Manners” was included on November’s Kitsune Maison compilation — but it deserves another mention, if not only because Icona Pop will be playing with MuuMuse fave Oh Land at the Neon Gold event Popshop in NYC on March 3. Neon Gold memorably described Icona Pop as the perfect lovechild of Passion Pit and Robyn, and I’d have to agree — “Manners” is bubbly, twinkly, and appealingly weird. I’m gunning for some big dance remixes.

Sophia Somajo – Wristcutters Inc.

Sophia Somajo’s grossly underrated 2008 album, The Laptop Diaries, was the perfect stop-gap for a year without any releases from Robyn: Glitchy, twee-but-not-precious electro-pop (check out the lovely single “Warm Blooded Murder” for more). Her latest single, “Wristcutters Inc.,” is an even more likable effort from the Stockholm native, with unexpected Asian influences and a subversive message about the suicidally inclined. (“Wristcutters incorporated, throw your hands up in the air and wave ‘em like you just don’t care!”)

Her forthcoming LP, Cinema Beijing, should only produce more great things. After all, Somajo did help write the Max Martin track “Time Machine” off Robyn’s Body Talk — and that’s quite a resume.

Rebecca and Fiona – Bullets

I had their first single, “Luminary Ones,” on heavy rotation all winter, but “Bullets” might be my favorite song of right now. I played the club edit of this track by rising Swedish popsters Rebecca and Fiona when I DJed last week and even the snarliest hipsters were dancing like they just couldn’t help themselves.

“Bullets” was helmed by Adrian Lux, whose “Teenage Crime” remains eminently listenable, and the two tracks aren’t dissimilar: Both feature haunting, processed vocals and trance production that make them perfect for the club.

Yes, it’s time for another dance party at the museum!

MuuMuse is proud to be giving away ONE PAIR of tickets into the One Step Beyond dance party hosted at the Museum on Natural History in New York City on Friday, May 14.

The party, which will include a DJ set from Passion Pit and Activaire DJ’s, will start at 9 p.m.

To enter to win, send me an e-mail with the subject “OSB” or tweet me with the following phrase: “I want to go One Step Beyond with @muumuse!” to win.

Hurry! A winner will be selected tomorrow afternoon (5/13).

Having previously worked with Ellie Goulding, Marina & The Diamonds, Sky Ferreira, the White Tie Affair, and their latest protegees, Samuel and Alex Winston, NYC production duo The Knocks have just debuted their first single: “Blackout,” a hands-in-the-air party track.

Sung by one half of the duo (Mr. Jpatt), the song is nothing short of a rave happy celebration, combining shouty vocals with an indie-dance groove a la Passion Pit and The Black Kids.

DL: The Knocks – Blackout

Seriously, is there anything named “Blackout” that isn’t a smashing success?

The single will be released on iTunes on May 4, featuring remixes by Chiddy Bang, Samuel, Fear Of Tigers, Yes Giantess, and more. You can expect one of those remixes to premiere excluusively on MuuMuse in the coming weeks.

Well…this I did not know about!

Tomorrow, March 23, Marina and the Diamonds will be unveiling an EP entitled American Jewels, containing three tracks: “I Am Not A Robot,” “Mowgli’s Road,” and Passion Pit‘s remix of “Mowgli’s Road” (the Flex’d Rework) which is chock-full of glitchy robot noise.

Marina’s debut, The Family Jewels, will be released in the US on May 25 on Chop Shop/Atlantic Records.

Seems like I only just did a remix post. Well, I kind of did on Sunday, but this is the proper Weekend edition! A lot of jittery electro nonsense this time around. If I had to recommend anything, it’s the Passion Pit mix of Dan Black‘s track, “Symphonies.” It jumps from trip-hop, to rave, turns down the BPM, and then does it all over again…fun!

As usual, take what you want, leave what you don’t.

DL: Passion Pit – Little Secrets (Internal Friends Complain Remix)
DL: Dan Black – Symphonies (Passion Pit Remix)
DL: Fonzie ft. Flam – Hands Up (Teh Interwebz Kids Remix)
DL: Markus Lange & Daniel Dexter – We Were Wild (Disco Trash Music Remix)
DL: Eli Smith – Party All Knight (True Pseudo Mix)
Bloc Party – Ares (Melting Wing Remodel)

Put on your boots, Muusers. Nope, this ain’t time for a shitty U2 comeback single–it’s time to rummage through the mix heap! Take what you want, leave what you don’t…just make sure you’re having a good time regardless. Enjoy!

DL: Dragonette – Fixin To Thrill (MR. VEGA Remix)
DL: Passion Pit – Little Secrets (Lalory Remix)
DL: Asher Roth – I Love College (NEAR DARK’s ‘Alpha Beta Bleed’ Remix) ft. Jane Bang
DL: The Presets – Kicking And Screaming (Drlkt Freddie Werewolves In The Woods Remix)
DL: La Roux – In For The Kill (Clash The Disco Kids Ming Lo-Fi 1 AM Remix)
DL: Major Lazer – Hold The Line (LehtMoJoe Remix)

And finally, I’d like to wish all the mommas out there a wonderful Mother’s Day. I love you, Mom!

One post, two talents to watch for in 2009! Hot off the last post about the sensational up-and-comer, Wallpaper. comes news from Fingers On The Pulse that the electro rocker’s remix of Passion Pit‘s “Sleepyhead” has won the site’s remix competition, proving victorious as the best mix of the bunch!

Infusing a supple amount of driving synth and shimmering horns, Wallpaper.’s Dio Head over to the band’s MySpace to listen to their other two tracks, “Better Things” and “I’ve Got Your Number” now.Remix sprinkles a healthy helping of shining stomp atop the track, propelling “Sleepyhead” to a higher level.

Now, let’s talk of this supposed Pit of Passion. Though the Cambridge based group is still working on the creation of their debut album, the band’s established sound is entirely promising, sounding as if The Black Kids were having a sampling session with Styrofoam while the Scissor Sisters were playing on in the background. The group is now rapidly gaining in the underground popularity department, so I’d suggest for all you indie boys and girls out there to grab on before you’re not allowed to like them anymore!

DL: Passion Pit – Sleepyhead (Wallpaper. Dio Remix)

Head over to the band’s MySpace to listen to their other two tracks, “Better Things” and “I’ve Got Your Number” now. Oh, and while you’re still still here, make sure you refer back to this post to grab “Evrytm We Do It (RAC Maury Remix).” I haven’t stopped listening since!