Primitive Heart is back with “Underground,” a minimalist and sensual pop track. The vocals of Dani Mari float in the ether, while the electronics walk their path with determination. It has an 80s vibe that is on-trend, while dancing in the shadows on the edge of the floor.
The EP features mixes by Chasm and Fawns of Love – the latter going full New Order with a Hooky bass and Sumner sequencer line.
(Photo: Josh Lee, byjoshlee.com)
From Gothenburg comes CCILIA, a dark wave act that fuses the icy cool of Grace Jones with the rumbling bass of the alternative club.
With music programmed and played by Henric Ceder of Strikkland, “The Wall” features Cecilia Ceder on vocals. The Swedish couple have recorded together for Strikkland, but this is the first single featuring Cecilia as the lead vocalist.
Lyrically, “The Wall” appears to tip a hat to David Bowie’s “Heroes” or Rational Youth’s “Dancing in the Berlin Wall,” but with a statement of confidence:
Tonight I danced in the search light
below the battlements of the wall
I never felt any stage fright
as I was up against the wall
“The Wall” is a compelling and sleek debut, as well as a reminder of the elegance of the 80s dancefloor.
We have described Karin My as Sweden’s secret weapon before. The Scandi songstress has most often been spotred adding magic to the recordings of other artists, such as the legendary Twice a Man. More recently, she has been working on her own material, edging towards a debut solo album.
“Winter Tree” is a other step towards that end. Her vocals float like filaments on the gentlest breeze, lingering above the snap of the rhythm track. The accompanying video gives a flavour of the seasonal mood that infuses the song.
Made together with Daniel Kraufelt, “Winter Tree” is Nordic noir with an emotional edge. The album is expected in February.
Norway gets pretty dark and cold at this time of year, but back in the spring Pieces of Juno prepared this video for “Silence in Secrets.”
Lifted from the excellent Euthmyia album, “Silence in Secrets” is a floating, gentle track that showcases Juno Jensen’s ethereal vocals.
The video assembles clips from the first lockdown, and serves to remind us that another change of season is coming. Can’t wait.
Psyche, the influential dark wave band from the frozen Canadian prairie, have released a video for their cover of “Security.”
Originally recorded by fellow Canuckians, Men Without Hats, it is a minimal electronic classic. In Psyche’s hands, it becomes a pointed and spooky statement for our times.
The Faroese singer, Eivør, is back with a duet featuring the Icelandic artist, Ásgeir.
“Only Love” moves like the flow of blood, surging and pumping with each beat of the heart. Co-produced by Dan Heat (Lana Del Ray), it is a dreamy, electronic injection.
Best known to English audiences for her work on The Last Kingdom TV series, Eivør’s current album, Segl [EN: Sail], uses the waves and the sea as core themes. We are 80% water, so the movement inside of us is just as relevant.
Nille Nyc is back with a Christmas song for the broken-hearted.
The Danish singer breaks ornaments and gives the flick to her ex in this video. She asks, “Can’t you pretend it was good?” The answer, to give away the ending, is to let things go.
https://youtu.be/srjVKzMUYZM
The Vancouver-based post-punk group, Actors, have returned with a new track influenced by Roxy Music – and zombies.
“Love U More” finds the band sporting a new bass player and neckerchiefs. Singer Jason Corbett has tuned into Bryan Ferry’s frequency, and the signals are good for the group’s forthcoming album.
The video is dark fun, if you can stop dancing long enough to take it in.
Midsummer is traditionally a time to celebrate renewal and the return of the Sun. The longest day is an occasion to enjoy and to be released from dark energy.
It is fitting, therefore, that Thorunn Antonia’s new single, “Flugreki” [EN: “Kite”], arrives on Midsummer’s Eve. It is an uplifting song of rebirth and independence, which finds the Icelandic chanteuse being lifted to freedom on currents of beauty.
I can’t burn myself in the midnight sun
No I can’t burn myself in the midnight sun.I’ll float like a kite
Away with moorings and anchorNever never never ever ever again
I dance to forget you
Rein jolted London when she appeared at Electrowerkz for TEC 006 last year. The Swedish songstress has lost none of her energy since that visit, and “Bodyhammer” is a fierce, biting track that sparks with electricity like a Tesla coil.
An homage to the film, Tetsuo II: Body Hammer, the lyrics call “Inject me!” The needle turns you into a machine with the weapons and powers you need to overcome your tormentors. The transformation makes you stronger.
As with her recent singles, “Bodyhammer” is co-produced with Carli Löf, and Rein’s roots as the love child of DAF and Nitzer Ebb come through clearly. Lace up your boots, feel the metal inside you, and march at the double to the dancefloor!
(Photo: Beatrice Lundborg)
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