All The Time To Keep You Off My Mind

The lofty standards set by Scandinavian pop music have been well documented and one of its key archetypes has been the lovelorn Swedish chanteuse.

The latest addition to Stockholm's stockpile of swoon-inducing songbirds is 24-year-old Tove Lo.  Her latest track 'Habits', an ode to heartbreak-fuelled self-destruction, was sent to me by a friend and I've been playing it all day.

Granted, it probably owes a debt to the tumbling percussion of Lykke Li's 'Little Bit' and the hook-heavy chorus would fit right into one of Robyn's signature electro-ballads, but there's a black humour and lyrical quirkiness that sets 'Habits' apart from the work of her contemporaries.

All My Shadows For A Walk Tonight

"Elliphant pulls the balls of this dancehall slayer through its own throat and ties them in a cherry knot the other side." So reads the boisterous introduction on Swedish newcomer Elinor Olovosdotter's website for her musical project, Elliphant.

She claims to be influenced by M.I.A. and Diplo so its perhaps not surprising that she bears a sonic resemblance to their frequent collaborator Santigold. Current single 'Down On Life' is currently the source of mild blogospheric hysteria, thanks to its zany lyrics, contagious melodies and striking music video. She's apparently signed to the same management company as Niki & The Dove, so let's hope she can capitalise on the attention she's currently receiving better than they have.

Elliphant: In The Jungle by ElliphantMusic

Don't Just Walk All Over Broken Hearts

Icona Pop are Stockholm-based electro fiends Caroline Hjelt & Aino Jawo. The pair are currently being touted as rising stars by trendy French boutique label, Kitsuné but, even if global domination eludes them, they've certainly conquered my affections.

There are sparse details about the pair, who are presumably pursuing that 'endearing' strategy of shrouding themselves in mystique, and I've only been able to track down a couple of tracks. Even so, I've heard more than enough to know they're very much 'my bag'. I'm particularly fond of 'Manners'.

Manners (Extended)

Still Don't Know



Icona Pop - Manners (Elof Remix)

Tearing Off Tights With My Teeth

Listening to Lo-Fi-Fnk's newest track, 'Sleepless', is a bit of a head-fuck. It's an unpredictable journery involving sax solos, whistling, French vocals thrown in for no apparent reason but, somehow, it all seems to come together to create a slab of blissed-out, piano-driven pop.

Based on this and recent release 'Marchin' In', it sounds like the Swedish oddballs' sophomore album is shaping up to be quite something.

Worth The Hassle?

Despite having one of the finest pop songs of the past year in his arsenal, mop-haired Swede Erik Hassle has, as yet, failed to permeate the public consciousness on these shores.

His debut album, 'Pieces', has just been released here but, sadly, seems fated to go criminally unnoticed. On the plus side, the UK (and, ahem, Irish) release features two brand new tracks.

One of these is the slightly cheesy but entirely listenable 'Standing Where You Left Me'.



You can get a free download of the Dada Life Remix of 'Hurtful' here, alhough I still kinda prefer the Penguin Prison remix.

Erik Hassle - Hurtful (Penguin Prison Remix) (Free Download)

Seal Of Approval

Swedish electropop oddities Lo Fi Fnk released their debut album 'Boylife' back in 2006. I was late in discovering the album but, when I did, I quickly developed a love for the duo's synth-laden music and quirky lyrics.

Apart from their rather wonderful Kitsuné release, 'Want U', August and Leo maintained a decidedly low profile since the album.

Then recently they began posting snippets on their website and yesterday unveiled a new track, 'Marchin' In', from their forthcoming album.

The track is somewhat more downbeat than some of the older tracks but a wicked bassline and Leo's idiosyncratic vocal prevent it from sounding anyway drab.

I also quite like the hypnotic marine-themed video that accomapnies the track.