Category — Siobhan Donaghy

It’s my fault for not discovering her sooner…but I’m so glad that I finally have.

This is El Perro Del Mar, otherwise known as Sarah Assbring, a Swedish artist making pop happen since 2006.

I could say that the music she makes, a combination of drippy, ambient pop, distorted strings and a simple, Lykke Li-like delivery, is nothing short of lush.

But it’s my friend David, who, after introducing me to her music, described it best: “Fleetwood Mac on pills in the 90′s…It’s what Siobhan Donaghy wishes she could record. It’s what she tried to do on Ghosts and failed at, mostly.”

“Change of Heart,” the song being featured above, is one of the finest numbers off of her latest EP, Love is Not Pop, which was made available in the US on October 20 of this year.

As for that piece of art you’re currently mesmerized by above? As the clip’s description box tells us, the duo is an act from Budapest that were called in by the label after first being seen in Lido, Paris. They were asked to be filmed for the official video to accompany “Change of Heart” and, according to the director, Flip Nilsson: “When we finally could see the amazing footage together with the music it felt like we got struck by the lightning of love.”

While the original song is brilliant, I’ll also need to direct your attention to the equally special Robyn remix of the track located right here at Pitchfork. The mix adds a bit of the Swedish chanteuse’s own vocals (always a plus!), and the lightest glaze of ’90′s house synths.

“Change of Heart” the kind of song you want to carry with you through life. It’s timeless, it’s beautiful…I could listen to this song time and time again, and so I do.

Purchase “Change of Heart” on iTunes | MySpace | Official Website

According to HolyMoly, Keisha, Siobhan, and Mutya are reforming as the original Sugababes trio once again. Apparently, it’s not just a vague rumor floating in the stratosphere: The site reports that the girls are already in meetings with producers and labels (William Orbit and Warner Records, respectively.)

Additionally, Mutya all-but-confirmed that she is, at the very least, working with Keisha in an interview a few nights ago in Croatia.

Too exciting! I wonder what they’ll call themselves? Sugawomen?

In an industry mired in dime-a-dozen bands and MySpace insta-lebrities, today’s bands tend to suffer from the same symptoms of overzealous promotion, ultimately leading to über-entitlement and general gloating. Yet despite the mighty roar of the media machines behind these bands, a large majority can hardly muster a meow when finally thrust into the spotlight.

Expecting The Gadsdens to fare no differently, I moseyed over to their MySpace with a firm expectation of mediocrity.

Well, I was wrong*. Much to my surprise, The Gadsdens provide a much needed breath of fresh air in a landscape dominated by “average,” blending together the breezy sounds of some of the finer purveyors of contemporary pop, including Take That, Imogen Heap, and even a hint of Vanessa Carlton.

Though there are subtle suggestions of blues and folk-inspired influence sprinkled throughout, the majority of The Gadsdens’ collection is largely pop-based. And unlike so many bands that claim to intentionally “pay homage” to the greater pop moments of the ’80′s and ’90′s in an obnoxious, tongue-in-cheek manner, The Gadsdens carry yesterday’s elements into their music in a wonderfully unpretentious manner.

I absolutely adore the lead singer’s vocals, which seemingly glide through the scales quite effortlessly on tracks like the sweetly tender “Heartbreaker.” Other tracks, like the title track from their upcoming EP, “The Sailor Song” strike me as a brighter rendition of The Decemberists and a bit of ’90′s female singer-songwriter, a la Natalie Merchant.

Though I’m not going to speak for the group, I’m willing to bet that their genuine sound stems from a genuine respect for pop–The group’s blog certainly seems to suggest this influence. (Lykke Li, Siobhan Donaghy, The Cardigans, and Grace Jones for starters.)

The group will be releasing the Sailor Song EP on March 23, a collection of 5 tracks produced by Sean McGhee. Though the band have supported Temposhark on tour, been named as one of the best unsigned acts by NME, and played on BBC’s Radio 6, the band is still bubbling under. Let’s change that, shall we?

Easy, breezy, beautiful…It’s no longer just a phrase for make-up, folks.

DL: The Gadsdens – The Sailor Song (Sharebee)

The Sailor Song EP will be available digitally on iTunes on March 23. For more from The Gadsdens, click here.

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*I really should have known better, considering my ever-reliable blogger buddy XO named The Gadsdens’ “Sailor Song” as one of his Top Tracks of ’08.