Agnes – Release Me
On first listen I thought this was good but not nearly as good as On and On. On second listen, I decided it was possibly the best new dance-pop song of the year! It’s been stuck in my head ever since. I love how Agnes’ songs combine the warbly r’n’b vocals with fantastic dance-pop sounds (very dramatic, fun ones here), making a common genre sound fresh and original. Agnes has sung some terribly rubbish songs in her time (Right Here, Right Now must be one of the most grating winner songs ever) but she’s really stepped up on the new album and I definitely recommend it.
97% Poptastic!
Mitt Piano – Små små steg
Although there are a few Melodifestival entries which have to take the crown for my favourite ever songs in Swedish (Linda Bengtzing’s entries especially), this is probably the best indie-pop song I’ve ever heard in Swedish. If a song can transcend language barriers, you know it’s pretty amazing. The chorus line is repeated often and simple, which means it’s still catchy even if you don’t know its meaning (I’m taking only small, small steps). In fact, the best thing about this song is that I can understand almost all of it, and simultaneously bop around in my chair!
94% Poptastic!
Hello Saferide – X Telling Me About The Loss Of Something Dear, At Age 16
As you’ll probably know, Hello Saferide are one of my top favourite indie-pop acts, and they’ve done some great videos in the past, but this is definitely the new high-point. The only problem is that the song on its own is a really interesting one with great lyrics, and this video, which doesn’t relate to it at all as far as I can see, kind of detracts from that. Nonetheless, it shows how super-ace the members of Hello Saferide are as people, which always comes across in their live shows. I can’t complain about a great band making a great song and a great video, can I?
85% Poptastic!
A Camp – Stronger Than Jesus
You might remember A Camp from a few years ago as the spin-off project by Nina from The Cardigans, only really known for their small hit in the UK, I Can Buy You. Instead of working on the next Cardigans album, Nina’s been doing a new CD with her other band, and although I was annoyed to hear that (I didn’t like I Can Buy You as much as her Cardigans singles), I’m really liking the lead single. With a very nice melody, catchy chorus, and thoughtful lyrics, it’s actually easy enough to pretend it’s the new Cardigans single, so I think I’ll just do that. Yay, new Cardigans!
85% Poptastic!