Swedish music: what I’m listening to

March 10, 2011

Sweden is a huge exporter of music. Unless you’re from here, you probably didn’t know that, did you? Sure, you either loved or hated Sweden for ABBA. But otherwise, you probably had no clue of what other music was made here, did you? Until I moved to Stockholm, I had no idea that so many bands I liked were actually from Sweden.

While I’m not a big fan of Swedish schlager (bubble gum pop), I am loving a lot of other stuff. Just now, I’ve been listening to Lykke Li’s new album Wounded Rhymes. In particular, I like I Follow Rivers and Get Some.

After the huge success of Peter, Bjorn and John’s Writer’s Block – which I’ve loved ever since it came out in 2006 – I’ve been wanting to hear more. (Since the band had a lot of Södermalm connections, I always felt a special kinship with them.) While PB&J released a Swedish CD and various members have done solo work – Bjorn worked with Lykke on her album, for instance – this is really their follow-up. Gimme Some will be out next month and they have already released the single Second Chance, which I like. So I am curious to hear more.

Tagged as: Lykke Li, Peter Bjorn and John, Second Chance, Södermalm, Wounded Rymes

{ 20 comments }

1 Antropologa March 10, 2011 at 11:27: Yes, Lykke Li! I didn’t know a lot of what was in English that I liked was Swedish, either, at first.
2 Roger March 10, 2011 at 14:12: try the new CD ‘Owls’ from Carl Norén (former singer in Sugarplum Fairy which are smaller brothers of Mando Diao)
3 Roger March 10, 2011 at 14:17: I forgot, dont miss Johnossi’s album Mavericks, some of the songs are very good (they are from Värmdö).
4 admin March 10, 2011 at 14:46: Antropologa, It’s funny how that works, isn’t it? I think we Americans just assume everyone is from there sometimes!
5 admin March 10, 2011 at 14:46: Thanks Roger. I will check them all out. Even the ones from Värmdö!!!
6 James March 10, 2011 at 14:59: This is a fantastic doco about the Swedish indie music scene and actually features Peter, Bjorn och John. It also features some great Stockholm imagery.

http://www.ilovesweden.net/
7 lisa March 10, 2011 at 16:07: LOVE Lykke Li! She was just on Morning Becomes Eclectic the other day live (kcrw.com). Sand, have you listened to Robyn? Swedish hip hop that rocks! Download Konichiwa Bitches.
8 maria March 10, 2011 at 16:20: You are the dancing queen…
9 admin March 10, 2011 at 17:15: Lees,
How could I live in Sweden and not “know” Robyn! I don’t know this one though and will check it out. Did you ever see the Daily Show clip with her in Stockholm? It’s funny.
Glad you’re liking the Svensk musik!
10 admin March 10, 2011 at 17:18: Ah, that’s great James. Everyone is full of great tips today.
Vem är din favoriter svenska musiker just nu?
11 admin March 10, 2011 at 17:19: Maria, I do still love that song!
12 Gabriel March 10, 2011 at 20:29: Check out the tallest man on earth! Swede from Dalarna.
13 Peter Bjorn And John March 11, 2011 at 09:31: Hey!
Just to let you know, after “Writer’s Block” we have released 2 records;
“Seaside Rock” (instrumental) and “Living Thing”.
And before “Writer’s Block” there was two other albums “Peter Bjorn And John” and “Falling Out”. So there’r plenty to explore, counting “Gimme Some”, 6 albums total. And yes some solostuff too, Peters done 2 solorecords, one in english, one in swedish. John has done some ep’s as Hortlax Cobra. Have a great day and follow our website http://www.peterbjornandjohn.com.
14 admin March 11, 2011 at 09:53: Hej, Thanks for the update guys! I actually have some of your solo stuff as well as albums Bjorn has worked with other artists on. And I will be at your PB&J concert at Strand in April too. Looking forward to it!
15 James March 14, 2011 at 15:03: Min favorit just nu ar Petter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM7oPaqUM3M
16 admin March 14, 2011 at 19:03: Svensk hip hop. Kul!
17 admin March 14, 2011 at 19:07: Gabriel: Fantastic guitar and an interesting voice. Go Dalarna! Thanks for the recommendation.
18 admin March 14, 2011 at 20:09: Great clip. Thanks for sharing this James. You always find all the good Swedish stuff!
19 Roger March 15, 2011 at 11:13: Believe it or not this is also swedish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHb0phCLiOA

Adam Tensta
20 Roger March 15, 2011 at 11:16: or
http://www.myspace.com/adamtensta