Spiral Staircase

Nobody does dream pop like the Scandinavians. Denmark’s Treefight for Sunlight continues the country’s unchallenged reign of infectious melodies melding ’60s sensibilities and sing-along lyrics the likes of the Zombies with a sense of urgency that brings to mind Arcade Fire. ‘What Became of You and I’ is a choral pop ode that merges an insanely catchy chorus with honky tonk-style piano and gleaming guitars. Combining California’s sun-soaked charm with ’60s euphoria and the occasional slight prog rock bent, the band members have been friends since childhood and achieve their lush sound by having three singers in the band. Though all of the songs of theirs I’ve heard have been superb, ‘What Became of You and I’ is definitely the most memorable and catchy. With an impressively timeless quality, it has a short but successful semi-hypnotic breakdown before the last chorus that adds a little bit more magic to an already resonating song.

Treefight For Sunlight on Facebook

Posted by Sarah Gooding under Copenhagen, Denmark
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Rainbow Rabbit Hole

Brian Batz’s debut album was labelled one of the albums of 2010 by a number of reputable Scandinavian music critics, and it’s easy to hear why after indulging the Danish bedroom producer’s sweet songs. Batz weaves beautiful psychedelic dream pop, bouncing upon pianos, plucking electric guitars and using vocal effects to make his voice sound like an alien cartoon character. His sound is soft and hazy, rarely breaking into more than a light shoegaze skip; he’s very controlled and everything he does is calculated with such delicate precision. It’s easy to get lost in Batz’s stark, evolving sound, which builds upon revolving rhythms, driving distorted synth pattens and minimalist electronic percussion. Sleep Party People is the name adopted by the Danish composer to release his music and play live. His self-titled debut album, released in 2010, gives an insight into all aspects of his unique capabilities, mixing dreamy instrumentals with piano-focused lullabies and majestic synth-driven psychedelia. His live band, consisting of five equally-talented friends, take the stage in disguise, hidden behind rabbit masks.

The band has a new album, titled I’m The Little Bunnyman, due for release on September 2.

Sleep Party People- I’m Not Human At All: MP3

Posted by Nick Fulton under Copenhagen, Denmark
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Those Fuckers Stay In Your Head

Flossy Danish duo Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo aka The Raveonettes, have just released the first single from their upcoming, fourth studio album. Titled ‘Suicide’, it’s a very European sounding pop song, sitting somewhere between the bouncy guitar rhythms of ‘Love In A Trash Can’ and the lighter shoegaze moments of ‘Black Satin’. It’s a fascinating wee song, finding its charms in all the wrong places. On past albums The Raveonettes have wooed us with their gentle lullaby-esque vocal harmonies, and their chitter chatter rhythms. ‘Suicide’ has more structure, like a polished studio recording that has spent hours on Sune’s own mastering table. The lyrics are delightful, painting an image of New York through the eyes of a lost and abused young girl.

The Raveonettes seem very fond of changing their sound, and this new track is no exception. Expect their new album, titled In And Out Of Control, to be heavily structured with a very Scandinavian influenced pop sound, echoing bands like The Radio Dept. and Dag For Dag.

In And Out Of Control will be released on October 6 on Vice Records.

The Raveonettes- Suicide: MP3

 The Raveonettes- Myspace

Posted by Nick Fulton under Denmark
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