Ok, this is the first time we’ve ever featured something on this website that isn’t actually Scandinavian related. But it’s SO worth it. Plus, it sounds more scandipop and schlager than a lot of actual Scandinavian music this year!
Basically, 80′s UK group Tight Fit have reformed and are re-releasing their huge hit ‘Fantasy Island’. The genius remix team Almighty, have been brought in to produce a brand new version, and it’s intensely exciting! Tinkly pianos, infectious synth riffs, and a chorus that sounds like it’s actually being sung by Agnetha and Frida. Our jaw was dramatically dropped for most of the duration of our first listen to this. It’s mega! And it’s something that’s going to appeal to all schlager fans, we think.
It’s like Abba have finally met Steps and gone out clubbing together at scandipop!
While we’re on the subject of Almighty, and perhaps to bring some genuine scandipop into this post, here’s their cover version of Ankie Bagger’s monster 80′s hit ‘Where Were You Last Night’, from a couple of years ago. This song seriously needs to be covered again and made a hit in the UK. It saddens us to think that so few Brits are aware of this amazing song’s existence!
So…..the most exciting new act of 2010 are all set to release the second taste of the fruits of their labour!
‘Religious’ is the second single, and is released along with threee other brand new tracks on ‘The Hypnosis EP’ digitally ALL OVER THE WORLD on August 18th. The release of the ‘Religious’ single, with 12 new remixes, will follow. AND we’ll be getting a spectacular video for it on August 25th!
But what does ‘Religious’ sound like?!
Well we’re quite pleased that it’s becoming evident that Gravitonas have crafted their own unique sound. When ‘Kites’ was released as the first single, we didn’t and still don’t know of anything else out there that sounds similar. And with ‘Religious’, the only other song that could be classed as sounding similar would be ‘Kites’. None of Alexander Bard’s previous projects, just the other Gravitonas single. And we love that fact.
‘Religious’ is a four minute (and that’s the radio edit, so the EP version may be even longer!) blast of brilliance! Any idea of traditional song structure is out the window – it’s a composition of music presented to you how they want it presented. It begins as a melodious ballad, backed with a beautiful piano and delivered with a heartwrenchingly melancholic melody. And then the beat kicks in! Soft at first, to accompany the next set of vocals, and then an even bigger beat rears its head.
Our favourite part though is the middle section of the song, which is then repeated again for the last minute. It’s a gloriously OTT mixture of choir chants, almost falsetto vocals from Andreas, and a stunning arrangement of dramatic chords and dark beats. It’s the audio equivalent of a horror theatre dream sequence on a pleasant chemical high! Ghosts, red curtains, masks, screams, and perhaps THAT ballgag image from the group’s own video for ‘Kites’, interspersed with angels, harps, white robes, and cherubs! It’s all very spell binding and totally beautiful.
Lyrically it’s quite epic too. Praying to Idols, kneeling before Apollo, believing in magic, begging favours from ghosts, being a soldier of sin, and ultimately – when I’m back on the dancefloor, I’m religious!
When the debut single is so good, the second single is difficult. But Gravitonas have pulled it off perfectly. ‘Religious’ is absolutely wonderful. Ecclesiastically so!
Last night’s Lotta På Liseberg wasn’t the most exciting line up for pop fans – with Andreas Johnson and Cookies n’ Beans headlining the bill. However it did throw up (perhaps quite literally) this utter treat for the eyes and ears!
Over the weekend we discovered a new Scandinavian lady singer that we’d never heard of before. Her new album ‘Seili’ is currently sitting at number 5 in the Finnish album chart – now in its fourth straight month of residency in the top 5, after peaking at number 1. Her name is Jenni Vartiainen, and despite us never hearing of her before, ‘Seili’ is actually her second album. Her first was released in 2007, and she actually found fame earlier on last decade when she won a place in the girlband of the first season of Finland’s Popstars show.
The album is astonishingly good. Out of ten tracks, there’s not a single one that we don’t like. Which of course is very rare for an album. Too rare. Beautiful is the best word to describe it. The ballads are the best bits, and the instrumentation on each is spellbindingly good. It’s a strong, cohesive album – haunting and atmospheric throughout. Traits which are complimented we feel, by the fact that the album is sung entirely in Finnish. It’s on Spotify, so we’d recomment you all give it a listen. Each of the tracks are also on youtube. But for now, we’ll post our three favourite songs from the record. The lead single, and the two best ballads.
We’ve yet to listen to her first album, but we’ll be doing that this week. Plus, the popheart inside of us will also make sure that we check out the three albums from her old Popstars girlband, Gimmel!Hooray – a new musical obsession!
It’s for her new single ‘Hang With Me’ (scandipop ‘Hang With Me’ update – this version is growing on us more by the day, however, we still prefer the acoustic version. Although that could change any day now. And probably will). It follows Robyn around her recent promo tour of the UK and gives us an insight into her days on the road and nights on the stage. What we love most about it though is that it shows a side of Robyn that we haven’t seen in a while. A picture of an adorable girl who’s obviously a lot of fun to be around. The image of the musician that takes herself very seriously and speaks and types with a faux hip hop accent is nowhere to be seen. It’s simply Robyn.
It’s Stockholm Pride week! And to get us in the mood, here is a big gay remix of the official song of the Pride festival – ‘Secret Weapon’ by Secret Weapon, made up of Ankie Bagger and Peter Gustafson.
The remix has been done by Chris Jay. He’s made it sound that little bit more anthemic, which is fitting given the song’s purpose. It’s got a ‘Poker Face’ style synth riff running through it, and is big on the bass. And that key change sounds even more almighty now!
Here’s the tracklisting and the quite frankly amazing artwork for the new Infernal album. It’s called ‘Fall From Grace’ and is released on September 27th. And judging by the title and the cover, it looks like they’ve gone back to their pre-Paris to Berlin roots. The title suggests a step away from the commercial, and that cover – well, it suggests a lot of things! But what we’re seeing most in it is a full force, balls out, celebration of losing it on a dancefloor. We can’t WAIT to hear it!
Fall from Grace
Biting the Bullet
Love Is All…
Weird How You…
Alone, Together
Gunshot
The Weekend and I
Materialize!
Circussed
Plastic Fantastic
Club Erotic
Think Cavalli, Baby
How brilliant a song title is ‘The Weekend and I’?!
If you haven’t yet heard the lead single, or seen its video – be awestruck at the below!
1. IN MY EYES
2. INCLUDE ME OUT
3. HANG WITH ME
4. LOVE KILLS
5. WE DANCE TO THE BEAT
6. CRIMINAL INTENT
7. U SHOULD KNOW BETTER feat. SNOOP DOGG
8. INDESTRUCTIBLE (acoustic version)
The dust has barely had time to settle since the arrival of Body Talk Pt 1, the first installment of Robyn’s ambitious three-part album release plan for this year. Lead single Dancing On My Own, the heartbreaking heir to With Every Heartbeat, went top ten in the UK, while everyone from Pitchfork to the BBC, the Guardian to Stereogum, bestowed effusive praise (and numerous stars) on the album. It’s fair to say many are waiting eagerly for part two, and they wont be disappointed.
Body Talk Pt 2 offers the clearest example yet of Robyn’s pop prowess; 8 songs that crystallize her preoccupation with hypnotic repetition, propulsive beats and infectious hooks, and lyrics which display the kind of unabashed emotional vulnerability that only comes with true self-confidence. Body Talk 2 is further proof that Robyn’s understanding and love of pop music is as intrinsic as it is accomplished.
Robyn has worked with the hottest people around on Body Talk PT 2; Klas Åhlund, Kleerup, Savage Skulls, Diplo, and Snoop Dogg are all on board.
Here’s the video for the new EMD single. The cover of Eagle Eye Cherry’s ‘Save Tonight’ is set in a recording studio. A bit like McFly’s ‘All About You’, except the BBC hired comedians are replaced with serious musicians! Although there’s still a bit of dicking around in the studio by the EMD boys themselves!
It’s from their new album ‘Rewind’ (please let it include a cover of the Precious opus of the same name!) which is released in Sweden on August 25th.
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@TomKei I'd heard of it, but I don't think I've actually ever heard it! I'm 26! - posted on 30/07/2010 19:07:33
Ok, here's that Tight Fit remix as mentioned earlier. It's a must-listen if you're a schlager fan! http://www.scandipop.co.uk/?p=3031 - posted on 30/07/2010 18:26:04
Oh my word - the Almighty produced re-release of Tight Fit's 'Fantasy Island' is to die for! It's like Abba have finally met Steps! - posted on 30/07/2010 18:02:41
The new Gravitonas single 'Religious' is excitingly marvellous! Here's our review; http://www.scandipop.co.uk/?p=3027 - posted on 29/07/2010 16:06:23
Amazing - the latest artist added to tomorrow's Schlager Pride line up is Christer Sjögren! I loved his 2008 MF entry! - posted on 28/07/2010 15:10:29
