Compute is Sweden’s Ulrika Mild. The Gothenburg-based songstress makes lucid downtempo beats but can also sing like Alison Goldfrapp. This track shows off both elements to great effect.
Track of the Day
The trio of Analog Angel make some intelligent darkwave sounds, and “Drive” is an exemplary, forceful track that warrants repeated listening. From 2014’s Trinity album, it’s dark poptronica in a similar vein to Covenant, matching great synth sounds with sleek, elegant vocals. Guest vocalist Tracy J Cox’s lines float behind John Brown’s, while tense, pulsing waveforms are sculpted by keyboardists Ian Ferguson and Derek MacDonald. Not to be missed.
For more great reading about Analog Angel, see this interview at The Electricity Club.
Way back in 2007, London-based duo, Komputer, released this track as part of an online-only EP release. A different version appeared on the Mute sampler, 14 Irregular Files. It’s the kind of Kraftwerk-inspired material that Komputer successfully took up after shedding their I Start Counting skin, and it’s as sleek as a black panther in the rain.
Krister Petersson is Sweden’s most loyal devotee of Italo Disco. As the instrumental anchor of the legendary Vision Talk, Petersson was a prolific source of high energy dancefloor-friendly tracks. Although Vision Talk are no more, he hasn’t stopped writing new material, so the Italo flame remains lit in the North. His latest project, Swedit, is a contraction of Swedish Italo; and, like Vince Clarke’s original idea for The Assembly, is built around the idea of using different guest vocalists for each song.
The first vocalist to join up with Petersson is Richard Flow, also ex-Vision Talk and currently the keyboardist with Machinista. Their collaboration, “Lost and Found”, is out now on 12″ vinyl release through direct order (contact Swedit Records for information). We think it’s awesome.
One of the things that has always made Wire stand out is the presence of oblique strategist and wordsmith Edvard Graham Lewis on bass. “On bass” is perhaps a strange way to describe his role, because it also encompasses graphic design, stage design, sound design, vocals – maybe it’s better to say, “as multimedia, polymath whirlwind.” As part of Dome, Duet Emmo and 27#11, and as solo artist He Said, he has pushed the boundaries of pop into achingly beautiful and unconventional realms. Wire are still reinventing themselves, but Lewis is also working up solo material from his base in Uppsala. Two albums are coming around midsummer from Editions Mego: All Over and All Under are days away from release.
The first track we’ve heard is “We’ve Lost Your Mind” from All Over. It’s unmistakably Lewis material, with an almost conventional start that ultimately dissolves into fractals of noise. Immense.
Karin Park is one of CWNL’s favourite vocalists. The symmetrical Swedish export shows up in the fashion pages, guesting with other artists, propelling Norway’s Eurovision team – and, finally, with a new single. Shine is a slinky slice of electronica, more accessible than The Knife but with an undeniably experimental verve.
Vanguard are one of Sweden’s most talented synth acts. Their new album, Retribution, is scheduled for February 2014, and it will include this track. The single version features remixes from, among others, Psyche and Robert Enforsen of Elegant Machinery. Sweet Thursday listening.
Canadian synthpop duo, The Beautiful Spies, produce 80s-influenced music with classic style. Formed by Dave Rout (Datafreq, Rational Youth) and Dina Naskos (Colecovision), they already have one album notched on their synth stands and are preparing for a support slot when Rational Youth launch their new show in January 2014. This energetic track is from the Just Fascination album (no relation to the Cabs single of the same name).
Swedish synth legend, Eddie Bengtsson, remixed this track as part of his project, This Fish Needs a Bike, back in 2004. I Satellite is Sault Ste. Marie native, Rod MacQuarrie, who is making the journey to Europe as support for two Rational Youth shows in May 2014. Bengtsson is also on the bill, in his Sista Mannen på Jorden guise. This song will no doubt get a great reception, as it is as catchy as it is quirky.